Review of Shock Treatment (1981) by Anthony T — 31 Mar 2008

This follow up to the Rocky Horror Picture Show is very different in its style. While it flopped at the time, O'Brien's commentary on reality television and the cult of personality have become much more relevant in this day and age. It is filled with a wide variety of songs, from pop-like music, to more of the rock variety. The show's feature song, "Little Black Dress" is not nearly as entertaining as Frank's entrance in RHPS, but the characters of Cosmo and Nation are incredibly interesting....and the songs that flank this more than make up for this attempt at regaining the feel and momentum of RHPS. Fans of the series call this an equal rather than a sequel, and it is in some ways. In others, it is so vastly different than its predecessor that the two probably shouldn't be compared.

This film features my favorite song in a movie, the end song "We're Gonna Do It" Those that know me, know that I enjoy films that have common themes. This one has the theme of continuing to move forward. Maintain your uniqueness even in the face of strong pressure to fit in to a particular style. As the narrator says at the end of the film......The Sun Never Sets on Those Who Ride Into It.