The Rock-afire Explosion (2008) User Reviews

A charming and heartfelt documentary

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 25 June 2012]

If you want to start a conversation with a Child of the '80s, just mention Showbiz Pizza. Before Chuck E. Cheese dominated the pizza/family entertainment industry, there was the (arguably) superior Showbiz. The subject matter of "The Rock-afire Explosion" holds personal appeal for me, because I spent many a Saturday afternoon at the local Showbiz in Columbus, OH during that fateful decade. Sitting here, with adult taste buds, I can only wonder what that pizza tasted like.

But who would ever have expected to see a documentary produced on the animatronic characters that formed the eponymous house band? It's a niche subject, if ever there was one. Come to find out, we can thank YouTube, for that.

"The Rock-afire Explosion" is about Chris Thrash and Aaron Fechter. Thrash, having spent his childhood at the pizza joint in the Phenix, Al, maintains a strong emotional hold on the animatronic band. Fechter is the brains behind the technology and manufacturing of the animatronics that were used in the restaurants. The seeds of this documentary were planted in 2006, when Thrash sought out Fechter's Orlando warehouse and purchased the necessary parts and equipment to build his own monument to the Rock-afire Explosion. He now keeps the fully-functioning band in a modular on his property, a source of amusement and fun for his neighbors (not to mention himself). A video of the "show" posted on YouTube unexpectedly went viral, a heretofore unknown fanbase unearthed, and here we are. Thrash's fandom, thourh fringe, is the kind that keeps such obscurities from becoming totally forgotten. And I can respect that.

The film charts the rise of both the pizza chain and Fechter's career, as well as the dimming of both as Showbiz folded into Chuck E. Cheese. It was nothing short of a rush of nostalgia to the head for me, seeing someone actually do a piece on something so ephemeral in our culture. Easily the film's high point, for me.

At its heart, "The Rock-afire Explosion" is a story of two people who can't let go. One dances on the edge of heartbreak, the other finds solace in the robotic entertainers of his youth. Thrash holds two jobs, and one wonders how much of that work goes into just his childhood obsession. Fechter still (as of filming) lingers in the factory that once produced the singing robots, even though production has been shut down for many years. It's just Fechter, tinkering in what's become an over-sized storage unit. Unexpected moments of poignancy surface from both men. For Thrash, it's the need for his dying father to see his son's prized possession one more time. For Fechter, it's the fond memories of his favorite accomplishment, and the stinging wounds of being let go once Showbiz faded away.

In an age where documentarians dwell on the BIG issues (war, healthcare, politics, terrorism, global warming), it's refreshing that someone can go out and make a film about something so seemingly inconsequential as an automated band of hair-covered robots, and make it interesting.

7/10

This documentary was indeed an explosion. It was a blast to watch, but it also was a bit over the place.

[ironhorse_iv · 7/10 · 14 September 2017]

Honestly, I don't know, what the direction, this documentary directed by Brett Whitcomb was indeed going for. One minute, it's seem like, it will be a nostalgia trip, through the history of now defunct company, 'Showbiz Pizza Place's long forgotten, animatronic stage shows 'The Rock-afire Explosion' & its downfall, with the show inventor/creator, Aaron Fechter & how super-fans like Chris Thrash are trying to resurrection the long forgotten show, by expose it to a new audience through Youtube; but then, it cut to long sequences, of both men, talking about how they found love. What!? Those scenes, have, little to nothing to do with each other. Stick to the main subject, movie! Better yet, try to be, a little more informative, as well. This documentary really doesn't do, a good job on that. It left a lot of information, off the table, such how 'Showbiz Pizza Place', honestly, first started as part of franchise to 'Chuck E. Cheese's founder & 'Atari' co-founder, Nolan Bushnell's business plan, to provide entertainment, through integrate fast food & indoor arcade, around the United States. This documentary makes it seem, that both companies had nothing to do, with each other, before the 1984 merger. When, in truth, Nolan had a co-development agreement between himself and 'Showtime Pizza Place' founder, Robert Brock of 'Topeka Inn Management' since the late 1970s. The movie also doesn't really explain, why the relationship, between the two businessmen, even broke up in 1980. It doesn't talk about how Brock went against Bushnell's wishes, by pursuing inventor, Aaron Fechter for more games like his Whac-A-Mole invention. Nor does it, tell how the events lead to animatronics, which cause Bushnell to sued Brock, over a breach of contract, and how Brock immediately issued a counter-suit against Bushnell, citing misrepresentation. It also, doesn't explain, due to the case, being settle out of court, a portion of 'Showtime Pizza Place' profits was pay to Bushnell's company, over the following decade. Hints, why the pizza place was losing money, despite the popularity of arcade game & the animatronic shows. The movie doesn't even mention, the main reason, why they merge in the first place, by avoiding fierce competition between themselves, due to the evolving video game industry and the video game crash of 1983 resulted in significant losses. Nevertheless, they did, a good job, exploring, why Creative Engineering split away from 'Showtime', due to licensing and copyrights issues, which would have allowed the company to cut production costs on the show, such as manufacture of future shows and royalty payments to 'Creative Engineering'. Yet, once again, the movie doesn't explore, afterwards, how 'Showtime' toy with the idea of adding licensed characters to the Rock-afire show, before, using their own modified version of the animatronic show with Mr. Munch's band. They make it seem like 'Mr. Munch's Make-Believe band' was just a rip-off of the 'Rockafire Explosion' when in truth, most of the characters were in created, years ago in 1978. You would think, information like that, would be accuracy rather than misguided. Instead, the movie went on, to omit it, in order to fit their own agenda to make it, seem like the merger with 'Chuck E. Cheese' was a mistake, and 'Showtime Pizza' was the better of the two. The documentary comes across, as a bit one-sided. Regardless, which company was better; the movie should had noted, that each coming year, animatronics at kid restaurants are becoming a thing of the past as they becoming a bit outdated and creepy to a point that a horror game was created after them, call 'Five Nights at Freddy's'. They're being replaced by animation characters, performing on television, due to animatronics becoming more and more expensive to maintain. As well, vandalism by unsupervised children, rowdy teens & sneaky collectors, due to lax security. In short, the movie should had stated out, more of that future, then having multiply scenes of same two talking heads repeating themselves, eating up the runtime. Did we really need, three scenes where Chris Thrash talk about working at the skate park, while drinking Mountain Dew!? How about, trying to get an interview with any of the Chuck E. Cheese corporate heads for their take on what happen! Better yet, Nolan Bushnell! Anything is better, than seeing, the same old spill. Overall: While, this documentary was made with a lot of heart, illustrating the stunning surprising portrait of fandom, Peter Pan syndrome, and genuine love for a lost childhood artifact. I still think, this movie will only gather, a cult-following & nothing more. There is nothing really special, here. For those who grew up in the '80s, this 'Rock-afire Explosion' documentary might conjure memories of birthday parties, arcade games and pizza. For the rest of us, this documentary is a bit too niche to care, much about it.

You can never go home again

[grandmaloney · 10/10 · 9 December 2010]

The documentary simultaneously examines the life of Aaron Fechter--engineer and inventor of Showbiz's iconic musical centerpiece, and the founder of the company that produced the animatronic marvels, Creative Engineering. It's an almost heartbreaking glimpse into the perils of achieving incredible success at a young age, and the slow torture of being unable to recreate that success over the remainder of a lifetime. Whereas the bits about Chris Thrash are mostly inspiring and uplifting, the segments covering Fechter's life convey a theme of gloom and decay. And although he seems happy to discuss the "good old days", there's a quiet desperation just beneath the exterior of his optimistic outlook and upbeat personality that is truly powerful to behold.

The greatest value of this production is the incredible sincerity of the people upon whose lives it focuses. You can't act this kind of stuff; these are a collection of individuals who, not unlike the robotic band itself, have been drawn together by the love and happy memories they once had at a place called Showbiz Pizza. And it's powerful, because anyone who grew up frequenting the fabulous pizza-parlour-stage-show-arcade is likely to strongly empathize with that love and share many of the same memories. I may be getting soft in my old age, but I have to admit that I teared up during one particularly poignant moment in the documentary. That could simply be a testament to good filmmaking. Or, it could be that I just happen to fall directly into the smack-dab-middle of the target demographic for this DVD. Either way, it's a fantastic watch and I highly recommend it to everyone who grew up in the 80s loving pizza, arcade games, and ridiculously overdone animatronic stage shows.

Matt 'gzsfrk' Williams

Can animatronic musicians give you chills?

[mcwhammer · 10/10 · 5 October 2009]

The Rock-afire Explosion was an 80's hair band that played most often in Showbiz Pizza Place establishments. The band was fronted completely by animatronic musicians, including bears, a wolf and drunken bird.

Aaron Fechter was the creator of The Rock-afire band, but his first idea to change the world was a gas-saving car! He literally built a car from the ground up... and while it worked, money was an issue holding back production of the vehicle. Fechter toiled with inventions and ideas, before being commissioned to create something new - robotic animals.

Soon enough, Showbiz Pizza and The Rock-afire Explosion were a match made in heaven. Pizza and robots?! What else could one ask for out of a restaurant? Showbiz built a great reputation among families, and kids were drawn by not only "tokens for good grades", but most importantly, the multi-instrumental band that played for patrons, while still having time to crack jokes with one another. Inevitably, all good things come to an end, and this documentary is the story of what happens to the people that loved the franchise and band the most.

At the beginning of this film, I knew only of the wonderful modern online videos of the band, created by dedicated fans. These same people are featured here - namely Chris Thrash. Thrash has spent his life trying to get the band back together, and with the help of Fechter, he just might.

I didn't expect to be moved watching this, but when it comes to the story of this beloved family business, you cannot help but to be. Thrash is such a kind-hearted person, and the only thing he has ever wanted is to see the animal band back in action. Fechter, the creator and sole owner of the remaining sculpted band members, has spent his life focused on the product (even through the decline), but he's proud to have created something people still enjoy today. These characters are real people, and their stories are just as lovingly depicted as the robots that give the film its name. Hopefully thanks to this documentary we will see them for many more years to come.

An Amazing Documentary

[ddhproductions · 10/10 · 22 September 2010]

WIth superb direction, great interview subjects, amazing subject matter, and great soundtrack, this film has everything a good film needs.

I knew a little bit about The Rock-afire Explosion before seeing this film, but afterwards, I love them and admire the companies and people who created this great film.

Aaron Fechter (The Rock-afire's inventor) is a very intelligent man and it is clear, through the film, that we have not seen the last of him. Besides his work with The Rock-afire on YouTube, he also has many projects in development.

I would highly recommend this DVD. It's a must have DVD for the holidays!

Nolstalgic Memories

[MixtapeMaker · 9/10 · 15 February 2009]

I had the pleasure of watching this documentary at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. As someone who grew up in the 80s, this film brought back a lot of memories for me.

This movie balances the passion that others have towards The Rock-afire Explosion with the man who actually created (and still owns all rights to) the animatronics and characters.

If you remember seeing these in Showbiz Pizza when you were growing up, then this is the movie for you to see. If you are passionate about something that you collect, then this movie will also resonate with you.

Not what was expected.

[fnafemily · 4/10 · 20 November 2022]

I went into this thinking that it would be more centered around the band and the animatronics themselves, and was wildly disappointed. Instead, it was primarily focused on the nostalgia the other, older people had for the band. Which is fine in itself- however, it was wildly disappointing to me. I am 15, and I never got to experience the RAE for myself, however it is a large special interest of mine, so watching this was not only a disappointment, but immensely boring. Who wants to watch random adults talk about how much they miss the band? I was expecting so much more, but maybe it's my fault for having such high expectations. I don't think I would ever actually watch this again.

the film investigates the power of nostalgia and the artifacts of childhood

[AMSharpless · 10/10 · 16 February 2009]

Director Brett Whitcomb could have easily taken a condescending attitude toward Thrash and the other Rock-afire enthusiasts, but instead he presents the material in a nonjudgmental fashion that makes The Rock-afire Explosion surprisingly moving at times. Thrash's dream may seem silly or superficial to you or me, but that doesn't matter; it's his dream and he made it come true, and how many of us can say the same? In its own funny way, the film investigates the power of nostalgia and the artifacts of childhood, as well as the tangible and emotional wreckage that's left behind when a fleeting moment of pop culture has passed.

Posted by Scott Von Doviak (The Screengrab)

it's a pretty marvelous celebration of passion and fun

[odarden · 10/10 · 26 December 2008]

Pizza for me has always been synonymous with fun. Nowadays, it's pizza and beer. Thenadays, it was pizza and weird fu%k*n' animatronic creatures singing songs, making jokes and scaring the crap out of all the wimpy kids. And I know I'm not alone on this. For those of us fortunate enough to be children in the 80s, we had Showbiz Pizza restaurants spread throughout the country, stocked with all of the latest videogames and an animatronic band called The Rock-afire Explosion. The 80s were a long time ago – godam%it – but filmmaker Brett Whitcomb has reached back in time and brought forward a chunk of our past that has helped reignite interest in this band that would play the perfect soundtrack for pizza munching. A trailer for the documentary "The Rock-afire Explosion" hit YouTube a little while back and has had people talking all over the Web. And just recently the film has hit the festival circuit. So does it live up to its hype? If you remember and love The Rock-afire Explosion from your youth, then, yes.

This documentary cuts back and forth between two stories, or rather, it cuts back and forth between two periods of time in the life of The Rock-afire Explosion. Yes, there is a ton of vintage footage for nostalgia freaks to drool over, accompanied by interview footage of Rock-afire creator Aaron Fechter who lays down the history of this animatronic band. But then we also see where Rock-afire is at today and it's not the cheeriest of pictures as we see that Fechter was driven out of business and his creation made nearly extinct, however, the light at the end of the tunnel is a group of lifelong fans who still devote themselves to the Rock-afire Explosion, including one such fan – Chris Thrash – who saved up a load of cash to purchase his own complete Rock-afire Explosion show which he operates at this home, often for lucky families who bring their children to bask in the wonder. And watching these kids freak out, it's all too apparent that The Rock-afire still has that magic. Thrash is also the one that videotaped his band's performances playing to more modern music and posted his clips to YouTube. It's these clips that really rekindled interest in The Rock-afire.

We learn a great deal about our pizza parlor heroes, as well as the people that created them and the people that are doing their best to keep them alive. All in all, it's a pretty marvelous celebration of passion and fun, especially if you love docs about obsessive fans. Obsessive people have been the cornerstone of some great – okay, highly amusing – documentary film-making. This film adds to that heap of fun.

by Eric Campos of Film Threat

Looking Back and Not Being Able to Look Away

[jrralls · 10/10 · 28 March 2018]

It's a fascinating look at the Anamatroic pizza-place fan community, but on a deeper leaver it's about a whole bunch of people who can't stop looking back. The fans are really invested in their childhood memories of these robots, and I can't throw rocks because I'm sure I'm on the right side of the bell curve when it comes to romanticizing the pop culture of my own childhood, but the owner of company? As far as I can tell from the documentary, he can't let go either. At his height he once employed 300 people, his business crashed and he had to fire all of them over the course of a decade until he was the only one left, and it seem like in his mind he is a bit haunted by that. Really fascinating documentary.