It turns out that The Rocky Horror Picture Show had a sequel. Well, sort of. While Shock Treatment does have two of RHPS’ core characters, Brad and Janet (though played by different actors) as protagonists and some other characters who bear a resemblance to ones from RHPS, it isn’t meant to actually continue on the story from the previous film. Instead, ’tis a film that can be judged in its own right, and it isn’t really necessary to have seen RHPS before viewing this one. (I would recommend it, however, as RHPS is one of the greatest films I have ever seen.) It has its own ideas and themes, though I feel that it does carry with it some of the darker elements of the conclusion to RHPS, as Brad and Janet’s relationship is no longer what it once was, and ends up being tested rather severely.
In my opinion, this really was the perfect way to actually do a follow-up to something like RHPS…or a follow-up to almost anything, really. Rocky Horror (I’m sick of typing RHPS) was just so original that another film just like it would be kind of disappointing, and might make the original less special. Shock Treatment was even described as: “Not a sequel… not a prequel… but an equal.” I really wish more sequels/prequels/etc would aspire to be something like that. I’m sure that seeing the return of Dr Frank-N-Furter would’ve been pretty groovy and all, but at the same time, it’s great that Richard O’Brien decided to just take some of the characters and plonk them into a completely different story.
And what of the story? Well, Brad and Janet’s hometown of Denton has now become a giant TV studio, and they end up becoming contestants in a game show called Marriage Maze. Janet succumbs to the darker side of her personality and allows Brad to be admitted into a mental hospital. From then on, Janet is groomed by Denton’s new ruler, Farley Flavors, to become Miss Mental Health. ‘Tis a pretty groovy plot, mostly making fun of the media and also a lot of the stereotypical, conservative attitudes held by many during the fifties. It isn’t the most original, but it’s still imaginative, inventive, and very fun to watch. There’s also some great songs in there, too, though none are as memorable as any from Rocky Horror.
Judged by its own merits, it does indeed hold up very well. Compared to its sister flick, however, it’s a little bit weaker. Then again, very few things are good enough to compare to Rocky Horror. It isn’t that Shock Treatment doesn’t have an edge, or that it isn’t memorable. I just…I miss the transvestites and the whole B-Movie feel, and the random events plot of the original! Rocky Horror was way too good. ‘Twas an absolute masterpiece, and most other rock operas pale in comparison to it. At the same time, if you are a RHPS fan, then I highly suggest you give this a try. It’s fun, with a similar sense of humour to its predecessor, though maybe not as racy or taboo-defying. It has managed to amass a small cult following, I think, which it most definitely deserves.
Hmm…I probably should review the actual Rocky Horror Picture Show soon now, shouldn’t I? 😉
The Hawkline Monster 