ManiakJiggy This is How Movies Should Be Made

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Fulke Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Claudio Carvalho "American Pop" is a fantastic animation directed by Ralph Bakshi disclosing the American pop music in the Twentieth Century until 1980. The storyline follows four generations of a Russian Jewish family of refugees from the Russian Revolution that immigrate to America. Along the years, the boy Zalmie discovers life and love in night-clubs as performer and musician and becomes the patriarch of generations of musicians. The big picture of the American history is the background to present wonderful music, in blues, jazz, rock and roll, in one of the most beautiful soundtracks of the cinema history. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "American Pop"

Kevin Faultner I picked this film up on a whim, as part of a double-feature DVD set with "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" in the bargain bin at my local Best Buy. I figured, hey, I like "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" (it's one of my favorite anime films), and I enjoy the works of Ralph Bakshi (who directed great films like "Fritz the Cat", "Heavy Traffic" and "Coonskin"), so it seemed like a win-win. And hey, if I didn't like "American Pop", then it wouldn't be wasted money, $5 and all.As it turns out, "American Pop" has quickly become one of my favorite films, and one of Ralph Bakshi's strongest works. This surprisingly down-to-earth urban drama, set over a timespan of roughly 70 years, is a beautiful-looking, wonderful-sounding, exquisitely-written masterpiece. The characters are distinct (especially Pete), the music works wonderfully (I still can't get that cover of "Somebody to Love" outta my head), and the rotoscoped animation represents a world that is gritty and real, but at the same time fictionalized. Ralph Bakshi, if you're reading this, congratulations on a job well done. I'm not going to be parting with my "American Pop" DVD anytime soon.

TSMChicago I saw American Pop in a suburban Chicago theater when it was first released.I was impressed with the film and have always enjoyed it as a musical rather than a drama. At the time the surround sound was striking as was the alternate form of animation(rotoscope)and use of color. Being able to see American Pop in 35mm on a large screen was an experience, as I believe many of the film's critics have only seen inferior video versions.With musical selections dating from the 1920s through 1980 this film is a fantastic visualization of the spirit and essence of American music. The dance sequences from the Big Band era are especially effective.I have shown it in my high school music appreciation class a few times with very negative reactions from the students. I dig American Pop, however, and I know others of my generation will enjoy it. Ralph Bakshi, a true artist.

MARIO GAUCI The narrative of this Bakshi animated film follows the showbiz aspirations of a Jewish émigré family through four generations (from turn-of-the-century to the present, i.e. early 1980s), taking in the various turbulent world events and reflecting the often radical changes in culture which occurred during all this time.An ambitious if heavy-handed undertaking (Bakshi's trademark realism, displayed through rotoscoped animation, occasionally interspersed with stock footage) which is patchy overall but frequently impressive - and undeniably evocative. The necessarily eclectic soundtrack, too, is a major asset even if the last half does lean too heavily on the the hippie/rock scene; it's also amusing how the script presents the band which the protagonist eventually forms part of as the talent behind many of the best-known rock songs from the era by the likes of Big Brother And The Holding Company, Jefferson Airplane, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Sex Pistols and even my own favorite, The Velvet Underground!!