Young Rock (2021–2023)
8/10
Perfect Avenue to Demonstrate the Rock's Style
28 September 2023
There is a 2017 animated documentary about Vincent Van Gough. By using several artists, they hand painted every frame to emulate Van Gough's artistic style. It was a style that matched the subject. In that same manner, "Young Rock" as a show, is a perfect match for the Rock's style.

The story takes place in the not so distant future, where the Rock is playing an exaggerated version of himself. Honestly, he is playing the version of the Rock that his PR team would like people to believe he is. In this timeline, The Rock is running for President and Randall Park (also playing himself) is interviewing him. That becomes the framing device for a series of flashbacks that make up the series.

The show cuts to three main time periods. The Rock as a little kid, high schooler and college/ adult life. To the show's credit, the show does not shy away from showing Dwayne Johnson's faults. A character that is perfect would not be entertaining to watch, so they do show him making mistakes and doing things he's not proud of. The Rock is not afraid to employ some self-deprecating humor. For that reason, characters like Randall Park and Rocky Johnson are some of the more entertaining ones.

As a series, there were some plot points that clearly got ret conned at they went along. There would be some characters they built up as being important, and then they would never be mentioned again. Some plotlines would just fizzle out with no meaningful conclusion.

But, as episodic adventures, this show is really good. An episode can be funny, nostalgic and give some practical life advice. The show has some good moments of heart and good jokes that would be quoted by my family afterwards. The show was at its best when it had more truth in it. Much like original Goldberg's episodes, it is fun to see how their version compared to reality.

When you smell what the Rock is cooking, you may want to come and give it a taste.
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