I first saw Empire Records years ago when it turned up on one of my cable stations.  Since then, I've seen the movie several times and I still enjoy it.  I recently found the movie on one of my movie channels and decided to watch it again.

Empire Records is a small record store that is managed by Joe and staffed by teenagers.  One night Lucas is supposed to close the store and make the nightly deposit.  Lucas discovers that Empire will soon be converted to a chain record store, Music Town.  Lucas decides to take the money from the register and go to Atlantic City in an attempt to win enough money to save the store.  Unfortunately, Lucas loses all the money.

The next day, the other employees arrive for work and Joe finds out what Lucas did.  Joe is furious, but he does try to protect Lucas while also dealing with issues in the store.  A young shop lifter is caught and the store is preparing for an appearance by Rex Manning, an aging pop star.  Corey is the only employee happy that Rex is coming because she has a huge crush on him.  

The plot for Empire Records is fairly simple even though several things happen.  Basically all of the movie takes place over the course of one day in the store.  The first few minutes show Lucas taking the deposit and going to Atlantic City, so that is know right away.  There are several employees of the store shown, and they all have something going on, though a few of them are featured more than others.  The plot could have been a bit stronger if there hadn't been so many little subplots that didn't really go anywhere.  Despite the plot issues, the movie is still entertaining and worth watching.

A lot of things go on in the store during Empire Records, some of which are a bit bizarre.  Considering who works in the story, I think bizarre is sort of normal for the store, though I don't think the movie shows a typical day.  There is humor in the movie from the odd things some of the employees do.  I don't consider the movie to be hilarious, but the humor does help to make it more entertaining and interesting.  Bits of various songs play throughout the movie.  I don't know what any of the songs are now, though when I watch the movie, I recognize several of them.  There are even bits of one or two Rex Manning songs heard and some of a cheesy video as well.  

Sex does come up during Empire Records even though there really aren't any sex scenes in the movie.  AJ is in love with Corey who only has eyes for Rex Manning.  Corey plans to offer herself to Rex while he is at the store.  Gina, Corey's best friend, has a reputation for sleeping around.  At one point, after an argument, Gina does seduce someone.  Nothing too graphic is shown, but it is enough to make it clear what happened.  A few characters do show off skin without there being any nudity.  Some of the characters do make sexual remarks.  The movie is rated PG-13, so it isn't family friendly.

There are a lot of characters in Empire Records and most of them really aren't developed that much.  Only a few of the characters are shown enough to receive development.  Joe is the manager of the store.  He gets aggravated with his staff at times, but he always tries to defend or protect them.  Anthony LaPaglia does well with the part.  Lucas means well, but does something incredibly stupid.  He spends much of the movie on Joe's list - and not the good list.  Rory Cochrane is fine in the part.

Corey and Gina are best friends even though they have their differences.  Gina is more wild while Corey is mostly focused on getting into college.  Corey is a bit obsessed with Rex.  Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger do fine with the parts.  AJ is an artist who is in love with Corey.  He sometimes seems to be more logical than some of the others.  Mark is a bit goofy most of the time.  Debra is dealing with some personal issues when she turns up.  Warren is the young guy who is caught shoplifting in the store.

Rex Manning is a pop singer coming to the store to sign autographs as publicity for his new CD.  He has been around for a while and he doesn't want to give up being famous.  He doesn't seem to like it that most of the fans that turn up are women close to his own age instead of younger women.  He's much nicer to one young woman until she mentions that she doesn't know who he is and is just getting the autograph for her mother.  He is a cocky, womanizing jerk.  Maxwell Caulfield does really well with the part.  Debi Mazer turns up in a few short scenes as Jane, Rex's assistant.  More characters are around in the store, but they didn't stand out as much to me.

Main Cast
        
Maxwell Caulfield - Rex Manning
Rory Cochrane - Lucas
Ethan Embry - Mark
Anthony LaPaglia - Joe
Debi Mazer - Jane
Brendan Sexton - Warren
Robin Tunney - Debra
Liv Tyler - Corey
Johnny Whitworth - AJ
Renee Zellweger - Gina

Allan Moyle - Director

I have only seen Empire Records on television.  I think it has been released on DVD, but I don't know for sure.  I don't remember actually seeing the DVD of the movie.  The movie still turns up on television.  Depending on which channel it is on, some things may be edited.

Empire Records is a fun, entertaining movie even though many of the characters aren't developed and the plot could have been a bit stronger. 

This review is part of CaptainD's Good Movie EpiGuide 3 Write Off.

Renee Zellweger Movie Reviews
Appaloosa ~ Bee Movie ~ Chicago ~ Cold Mountain ~ Leatherheads ~ New in Town ~ Nurse Betty ~ Shark Tale ~

Recommended: Yes