Empire Records - cult 90s classic (Empire Records (DVD))

Member Name: lady_natalie

Product:	Empire Records (DVD)
Date:	30/08/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: soundtrack, cast, funny and fast paced plot

Disadvantages: none

Empire Records was released in 1995 to not much acclaim at all. Infact, it was a total flop. However, it has since become a cult classic and is easily my personal favourite film from the whole of the 90s.

The movie begins with an employee of small record shop, names Empire Records, cashing up for the day and suddenly deciding that rather than bank the days takings it would be a much better idea to take the money to Atlantic City and gamble it all away. The following morning is Rex Manning day, the day when has been pop star Rex is coming to sign autographs, and the staff turn up somewhat more excited than they would be on their usual work day. The movie is set over one day, and follows each member of staff through what this one day was for them, what they did and how in changed their life, all in one building. Corey has been planning to loose her virginity to Rex Manning since she watched him on TV when she was a little girl. AJ has been in love with Corey since before he can remember, and this is the day he is determined to tell her. Gina is Corey's best friend and whilst being notoriously easy, she's the more laid back and easy going of the two. Mark wants to be in a rock band, Debra wants to be different, Lucas doesn't want to get fired, and Joe, the owner of Empire records, doesn't want to loose his business.

The cast covers pretty much every kind of typical character there is. The stoner, little miss perfect, the pretty boy, miss dark and depressed, etc etc. But I don't think this is a bad thing. As the day progresses you get to know a little bit more about each character, their darks sides, and who they really are deep down. People thoughts and feelings are hinted at throughout the day, and you start to get to really want to know how it turns out for everyone. Like, will AJ actually end up telling Corey he loves her, will Rex Manning actually come? What'll happen to Joe and the store?? Although not one of the main characters, and not actually too important to the story, I'd have to say that Warren is by far my favourite. He comes in to steal CDs and gets caught, tells the police his name is Warren Beaty, and comes back later with a gun to try and get a job. I kind of pointless extra sub plot, the film could pretty much do without him, but I think he's great.

As the film is set in a record store, there is music playing constantly, and it really is quite diverse. The staff fight over who gets to play the next CD, and as every character is really different from each other, you get to hear a taste of what each one would listen to. The music also fits what's going on in the film perfectly, and totally makes a lot of the scenes.

I don't see how anyone can dislike this film, there's nothing bad about it, and it's great. Although the actors weren't famous at the time of its release a lot of them have gone onto bigger and better things, such as Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger. If you haven't already seen this, watch it now!

Summary: classic 90s comedy not to be missed