American Pop

Bakshi's eleven-year stint from the 70s to the 80s when he delivered eight amazing films full of personality has to be considered one of the highlights in the history of animation. "American Pop" is probably his most narrative ambitious one and one of his most focused movies, following the saga of four generations of a family through the history of American rock and pop music with an impeccable selection of classic songs.

Modern animated features pale in comparison. All we get today is the crum they produce over at Disney (excepting the few very cinematic scenes we get in Dinosaur) and a few decent Dreamworks films that hardly qualify as animation anymore. This film takes the animation format and explores what it can really do with character and theme. It takes American history and turns it into a chronicle of musical development that satisfies the music-lover as no other film does. Don't judge Bakshi by LOTR, see this one and Wizards and you'll have a new respect for animation. The only animated film even approaching this one since it was made is the Rats of Nihm, and it's a distant second. Even Nihm seems like Casablanca compared with modern crud like The Emporer's New Groove, or whatever hollow junk Disney is releasing next summer. See this film and remember (or learn for the first time) what truly good animation can be!

history of pop music, from the songs of russian-jewish immigrants, thru the blues and many others. Bakshi's style of animation may not be for everyone, but i loved it. charachters are very real, no hint of "cartoons" Can be enjoyed by the whole family. It's a unique work, like nothing else I've seen. And the glorious music!!

I guess some people don't get it, but if you look at the reviews they are clearly in the minority, and a lot of it seems to be along the lines of the animation isn't Disney quality from a studio that doesn't really do animation, or it's not a musical... ... but it wasn't intended to be a musical. It was intended to be an exploration of American Pop Culture, through the lens of generations of a tragic family from their immigration to the US to what was the present at the time. The scope is pretty epic as it meanders it's way through almost a century of American popular culture and music, and through a single family line that is always in the center of the pop history, each obsessed with music as a way of life, and each taken away by the times to miss their shots at the top. It is a tragic and a romantic exploration of America, that is deeply poetic in it's own right.

What a genuinely interesting and touching film. The rotoscoped animation may not be everyone's cup of tea but it works just fine here. I honestly think it's use was a big plus as it gives this human story a human, life like quality. If this was done today it would be slopping over with re-do tunes by current pop nobodies to jam onto a "music from and inspired by" CD not to mention it would be poorly cast with Hollywood no talents. The casting here doesn't leave you straining to identify celebs, it just has good actors portraying good characters. You focus on the story of the family, which after all is the point. Underrated and very much worth your time.

I am not a fan of Ralph Bakshi, but he has done some films that I do like, with American Pop being my favourite. The film could've been shorter perhaps, but the characters are interesting and the voice work solid with on Thompson standing out. The story is charming with an emotional impact(especially the scene in the cornfield) and not too heavy-handed, and the subtitles are not too confused and never condescending. The main interest points though are the rotoscoped animation, some may find it is not to their tastes but I found it unique and overall well done with a lot of Bakshi's trademarks seen with the wild nature of the hallucination scene, and the soundtrack, which is fantastic and often very atmospheric, adding so much to the mood. In conclusion, a great film and Bakshi's best in my opinion. 9/10 Bethany Cox

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.