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Anthony LaPaglia, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger ... see more see more... , Robin Tunney , Maxwell Caulfield , Gwar , Debi Mazar , Dianna Miranda , Bernard Granger , Nello Tare , Tobey Maguire , Ben Bode , Julia Howard , Kimber Monroe , Coyote Shivers , James 'Kimo' Wills , David Lenthall , Diana Taylor , Patt Noday , Ethan Randall , Joanna Canton , Karen Brigman , Craig Alan Edwards , Gary Bolen , Tony Zaar , Kessia Randall , Michele Seidman , Mike Harding , Oderus Urungus , Kawan Rojanatavorn , Corey Joshua Taylor , Melissa Caulfield , Lara Travis , Rico Fleming , Brandon Crawford , Elizabeth Grapentien , Pandora J. Nousianen , Kelley Carruth , Mark Menchhofer , Anthony Hemingway , Paizhe Pressley , Lee Etta Sutton , Jesse Bechtel , David Myers Gray , Bob Sayer , Andrea Powell , Brendan Sexton III , Ethan Embry

A funky little record shop provides the setting for this youthful comedy that centers on the workers there as they try to help poor Joe Anthony LaPaglia), the manager who really wants to buy the place... read more read more..., recoup his losses after his well-meaning, but dim-bulbed employee Lucas (Rory Cochrane ) steals his savings and loses it all in Atlantic City while trying to increase it twofold at the gaming tables. If they cannot come up with the loot, the mega-chain Music City will buy it. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Flixster Users

83% liked it

164,933 ratings

Critics

24% liked it

21 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Allan Moyle

Release Date: October 20, 1995

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DVD Release Date: April 3, 2001

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Stats: 9,253 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (9,253)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 11, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Empire Records is a great comedy. The story is quite simple, yet kit works. This film is fun from start to finish. This is a comedy that stands out, and is still a film worth seeing again and again. The cast do a great joke, and their characters are likeable. Empire Records is on... read moree of the best Teen comedies that I've seen. There are some very good comedic elements that make this comedy stand out among others in the genre. I felt that this film was underrated, and it didn't deserve all the negative reviews it has received. This is a classic film, one that remains relevant over a decade after its release. The cast is wonderful, and though flawed Empire Records works well enough and is much better than most teen comedy flicks of today. This is a fun film to watch, one that is well crafted and with a cast of talented actors, it really makes this one a stand out film. I thought that this film was very entertaining from start to finish. Empire Records deserves much more praise than it received. This film proves once again that mainstream critics are too quick to judge. This film is good, with gags, a good story and really stands out. If you love a smart teen comedy, Empire Records is the one. There's some stand out moments in this film, though far from the teen comedies of the 80's, Empire Records is still a film worth seeing. Very enjoyable and original, this film is much better than most of teen comedies of today. A much underrated gem, Empire Records is great entertainment despite its flaws.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    December 8, 2011
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Damn the Man! Save the Empire!"

    The employees of an independent music store learn about each other as they try anything to stop the store being absorbed by a large chain.

    REVIEW

    The theme of ... read moreEmpire Records is the struggle of man against the greed of the corporate machine. Empire Records is an independent music store that is very lax with its employees, offers many different genres of music, and in general offers a very artistic environment for its customers. The owners of Empire wish to sell out and make Empire into a chain store. Joe, played by Anthony Lapaglia, is the store manager who takes an employee named Lucas, played by Rory Cochrane, under his wing. Together with the other misfits that work at Empire, they try to figure out a plan to save Empire from turning into a dreaded Music Town while dealing with their own personal problems on one very eventful day at the store.

    Other important issues that are addressed in this film include depression, Debra (played by Robin Tunney) cuts all of her hair off and tries to slit her wrist, drug addiction, Corey (played by Liv Tyler) is the perfect student who occasionally takes speed to help her stay awake to study, and risky sexual behavior, Gina (played by Renee Zellweger) thinks she will feel better about herself and find love by sleeping around.

    Two techniques used in this movie to demonstrate the theme were sound and lighting. The soundtrack of the film is very diverse and alternative which can be compared to the environment of Empire Records. Empire is not your typical music store and the music they play there is not always the most well known. The lighting of Empire can be considered dim and a little hazy at times, which compared to the harsh fluorescent lighting found at a chain store, gives Empire Records an even more unique feel.
  • helpahorse
    May 23, 2011
    helpahorse
    I kinda liked it. It's nothing more than a guilty pleasure.
  • MizturY0da
    April 13, 2010
    MizturY0da
    with the recent release of the special edition dvd of this film, i'd suggest you go watch it. yeah, this movie is a light, fluffy gen-x teen movie with its music video moments. however, what was years ago just a normal teen movie has gained some resemblance of social relevance --... read more compared to today's teen movies, this film can be seen as some sort of masterpiece.

    for one thing, you never see films anymore where teens are actually fighting for something except for a date to the prom. the characters in empire records, yes, are submerged in their overdramatic romantic escapades, but their main prerogative in the film is to prevent a large corporation from buying out their independent record store. are there films that spark that kind of activist spirit in middle- and high- schoolers today? no. we're going backwards.

    also, the humor in this film offers up some absurdist wit, which you never find in teen movies now. a kid glues some quarters to the floor so he can laugh at the poor saps who later try desperately to pick them up. a shoplifting teenager gives the fake name of 'warren beatty'. do kids today even know who warren beatty is? i doubt it.

    this film was made in 1995, right before many of the laws allowing corporations to buy and control multiple media outlets were passed. the years since '96 have shown us a homogenization of music and movies, especially in the teen sphere, and it is turning today's teens into a bunch of celebrity-obsessed idiots.
  • lewiskendell
    March 22, 2010
    lewiskendell
    Many people will hate Empire Records. I almost didn't like it myself.

    It's the characters. Not the actors, they were all pretty decent. But the characters themselves, and the way they were written. So many of them are initially annoying and of-putting, that I almost was dead-se... read moret on disliking them from the start.

    As the movie went on, that slowly began to change. I started to see a bit more of the humans beneath these initially shallow characters. It's only deep in a Breakfast Club kind of way, so don't expect a deep study on the human condition. If you can't stomach the characters, you haven't missed very much. But, if you can, there's a mildly interesting (but throughly frivolous) tale to be seen.

    Plus, you get to see Renée Zellweger actually looking semi-attractive. Who would have ever guessed that was possible?
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    January 7, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    I probably need to see this again. Even though I hate Liv Tyler.
  • ythelastman89
    January 3, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Just a complete fiasco. It is nineties cheesy humor at its worst. I loathed this movie almost from the start. The characters are all two dimensional, maybe that's why there's so many. It has no real purpose aside from showing how bizarre it is to work at Empire Records. The actin... read moreg is terrible from start to finish and makes you want to just abandon the whole concept of watching the movie. It's essentially the step brother of Dazed and Confused, without any of its personality.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    August 20, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    i have to say this is probably one of my favourite movies as light hearted funny easy to follow stories go to be honest!
    I love the fantastic cast and the acting is brilliant with renee, anthony possibily my favourtie characters in the movie! Anthony espescially looks nice doing... read more his drum solo (hot)
    Its funny, light hearted and possibliy the most awesome record store there could be if there was one like it to be honest!
    worth a watch!!
  • jennifxu
    December 28, 2008
    jennifxu
    Against my better judgment, I was charmed.
  • FilmFanatik
    November 20, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    Another movie that never gets old.

View All Empire Records Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ken Eisner
August 11, 2008
Ken Eisner, Variety

A soundtrack in search of a movie, Empire Records is one teen-music effort that never finds a groove. Full Review

Joe Levy
August 14, 2007
Joe Levy, Rolling Stone

Lovably sloppy.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

If the movie is a lost cause, it may at least showcase actors who have better things ahead of them. Full Review

August 11, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Insubstantial, predictable and often dull. Full Review

Clint Morris
April 19, 2008
Clint Morris, Moviehole

One of the hippest and most enjoyable movies of the 90s. This ROCKS!

Trevor Johnston
January 26, 2006
Trevor Johnston, Time Out

Overall, fatally ersatz but good natured at heart. Full Review

John J. Puccio
July 16, 2003
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...things just move quickly from one person's conflicts to another, with little momentum or feeling of satisfaction. Full Review

Bill Chambers
June 22, 2003
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

Leaves you with the sensation of having chewed a piece of bubblegum until well after its flavour ran dry. Full Review

Dragan Antulov
April 3, 2003
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews

[Leaves the] impression of artificiality.

Brian Mckay
March 20, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

The Empire Strikes Out . . . lame Gen-X "comedy" that falls completely flat . . . Go rent CLERKS Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Mark: [Answers the Phone] Empire Records, open 'til midnight, this is Mark. [pauses Midnight.
    • Warren: Who glued these quarters down?
    • A.J.: I did.
    • Warren: What the hell for, man?
    • A.J.: I don't feel that I need to explain my art to you, Warren.
    • Joe: Who knows where thoughts come from. They just appear.
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Empire Records : Watch Free on TV

Empire Records Trivia

  • Name the actress who starred in Empire Records, Armageddon,and LOR Fellowship.   Answer »
  • What did A.J. glue to the floor in the movie Empire Records?  Answer »
  • Which actress has appeared in the following movies: Armageddon, Empire Records, The Lord of the Rings, Jersey Girl and Stealing Beauty?   Answer »
  • From which film does the quote "Damn the man, blame the empire!" come from?  Answer »
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