Empire of the Fun! (Empire Records (DVD))

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Product:	Empire Records (DVD)
Date:	19/04/01 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Soundtrack,Characters

Disadvantages: The nasty big boss!

Y'know m'great mate the Hairy Hobnob told me a funny tale the other day.He says that you ordinary folks have to go to a 'record shop' in order to buy the latest 45's!.Outragous or what? - here at Radio Radio we're snowed under with the latest discs supplied for free by eagar record industry supremos keen for it to be my 'Hit of tomorrow today' which is right up after this biggie by 'The Reynolds Girls'.

Anywayhow I thought I'd research this retail phenonemon and where else would I find an accurate representation than in a Hollywood movie?.This goodie opens with a young biker dude hotrodding it to Atlantic City where he blows the day's takings from the eponimous record outlet.This dude,Lucas,was given the keys to lock up and after rummaging in the boss's desk he finds that the store is in trouble.Due to a cashical calamity the independant store may have to become a faceless franchise of the 'Music Town' variety.So Lucas gambles the takings hoping to raise enough dough to save the shop.Happily for us he loses the lot - otherwise it'd be a short flick!.

Next A.M. his boss notes the cash loss,but being a fictional 'nice boss' he dos'nt tell the owner or the cops.The store opens as usual and we meet the rest of the misfit staff as they come in for what will be a memorable day.Renee 'Bridgit Jones' Zellweger' plays the short skirted but lonesome Gina,Liv Tyler plays Corey a fresh faced gal keen to lose her cherry to the shop's special guest and Maxwell Caulfield plays the guest, the sleazy Rex Manning.

The film is a day in the life of the store and although we see few records sold there is no shortage of action.A shoplifter is soon apprehended and after escaping the cops returns with a gun only to be given a job - rehabtastic!.Rex Manning day goes well with the fictional crooner looking great in a ruffly shirt and complete with a wonderful pop promo.Inevi
tably the head cheese finds out about the missing cash but decides to sell the store to the ever nice manager - but will an impromptu pop concert raise the dough needed? Or do the orange 'Music Town' pinnies loom?.

This is a great feel good movie with each of the previously troubled cast members finding their own redemption of sorts.Being set in a record store the film has ample scope to line up a wall to wall soundtrack of pop hits.The original music is good too with Manning's 'Mon Amoure' pipping Zellweger's show stopping finale.The theme of battling the big conglomorates is fine but when was the last time you visited your local 'Empire reacords'?.Me neither,they don't take my Dooyoo miles there you see!.

The mostly young and unknown (then) cast does great and the film's feel is reminisent of the early John Hughes movies.There is little doubt the the shop will survive but it's a lot of fun finding out how.Well worth a look and given the dishes on show I may head down there later after these messages...

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