The Rock-afire Explosion Movie (Johnsonverse)

The Rock-afire Explosion Movie is a 2021 American animated musical film directed by Aaron Fechter and written by Fechter, Burt Wilson, Tim and Chloe Johnson, based on the titular band by Creative Engineering. The film stars Fechter, Wilson, Rick Bailey, Duke Chauppetta, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Shawn Fernandez, Duncan Brannan, Jaret Reddick, Caroline Richardson, John Bowen, Jeremy Blaido, Earl Fisher, Lee Ann Womack, Kate Bristol, Stephanie Sheh, Cristina Valenzuela, Shelby Lindley, Cassandra Lee Morris, Christine Marie Cabanos, Xanthe Huynh, Michelle Ann Dunphy, Laura Bailey, Paul McCartney, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Awkwafina, CeeLo Green, Julie Andrews, Judi Dench, and Dolli Parton. It follows Billy Bob, the Rock-afire Explosion, and Munch's Make-Believe Band going on a cross-country mission to write a song that would save their bands from going under, while also having to prevent a gang of crooks from stealing it. Meanwhile, Ho-kago Tea Time trails the crooks and uncovers a sinister conspiracy from the past.

Despite being named for the Rock-afire Explosion, in truth, Ho-kago Tea Time are the true protagonists, as the film represents the end of the story arc that began with the Magic Night incident in November 2016. To this end, Sheh, Valenzuela, Morris, Lindley, and Cabanos received top billing in the end credits.

The film premiered on April 16, 2021 at the San Jose Theatre, and was released worldwide on April 21 on Netflix and in theaters, though it was released theatrically in other countries that don't have Netflix. It received widespread acclaim for its story and voice acting, as well as its musical numbers, many of which were performed by the characters.

Plot
The film begins with a stylized opening sequence showing the Rock-afire Explosion, Munch's Make-Believe Band, and Ho-kago Tea Time characters in a parody of 1970s movies. After the intro, the film cuts to Smitty's Super Service Station, where Billy Bob and Looney Bird get a letter from record producer Kelton Chandler, and his daughter, Karissa Chandler. They're notified that, after their performance at their latest concert, they are looking at signing the band to their label, Chandler Records. Billy Bob, ecstatic, shows the letter to the rest of the band, while Looney Bird is suspicious of the Chandlers' motives. When Billy Bob shows the letter, Fatz is delighted. He takes himself and the other members to the Chandler Records building in New York City.

Over in Tokyo, the members of Ho-kago Tea Time are practicing for a song when they get a phone call from Billy Bob, who tells them about the letter. Mugi tells him she is proud, and that the band's coming over. When she hangs up, Mugi tells the other members, Yui, Mio, Ritsu, and Azusa, to follow her to New York.

Voice cast
In addition, Fechter's children Aaron Jr., Maddie and Anthony cameo as bystanders.
 * Aaron Fechter as Billy Bob Brockali, Looney Bird, Rolfe DeWolfe, and Earl Schmerle
 * Burt Wilson as Fatz Geronimo, Sun, and Moon
 * Duke Chauppetta as Dook LaRue
 * Rick Bailey as Beach Bear
 * Jeff Howell as Uncle Klunk
 * Sarah Locke as Mitzi Mozzarella Jr.
 * Shalisa Sloan James as Mitzi Mozzarella Sr.
 * Shawn Fernandez as Fernando Fox
 * Stephanie Sheh as Yui Hirasawa
 * Cristina Valenzuela as Mio Akiyama
 * Cassandra Lee Morris as Ritsu Tainaka
 * Shelby Lindley as Mugi Kotobuki
 * Christine Marie Cabanos as Azusa Nakano
 * Xanthe Huynh as Ui Hirasawa
 * Michelle Ann Dunphy as Jun Suzuki
 * Laura Bailey as Nodoka Manabe
 * Duncan Brannan as Chuck E. Cheese
 * Jaret Reddick as Crusty the Cat
 * Caroline Richardson as Helen Henny, Sunflower Warblette, Bella B., and Harmony Howlette (howling)
 * Chris Hill as Mr. Munch and Munch Jr.
 * Jeremy Blaido as Jasper T. Jowls
 * Earl Fisher as Pasqually P. Pieplate
 * Lee Ann Womack as Harmony Howlette
 * Shakira as Foxy Colleen
 * Paul McCartney as Kelton Chandler
 * Lady Gaga as Karissa Chandler
 * "Weird Al" Yankovic as Joseph David
 * Justin Timberlake as Thunder Smith
 * Awkwafina as Reyse Presley
 * CeeLo Green as Bobby Lincoln
 * Julie Andrews as Ethel Robertson
 * Judi Dench as Leigh McRogers
 * Dolli Parton as Maria Sanders
 * Karen Strassman as Sawako Yamanaka
 * Isabella Bennett as Rabbit
 * David Bennett as The Spine
 * Bryan Barbarin as Zer0
 * Sam Luke as Hatchworth
 * Jon Sprague as The Jon
 * Erin Burke as Upgrade
 * Fred Tatasciore as Mike Wolf
 * Jim Cummings as Mike Wolf (singing voice)
 * Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Sumire Saitō
 * Michelle Ruff as Nao Okuda
 * Little Sis Nora as Sally Sashay
 * Madeleine Peyroux as Madame Oink
 * Yeardley Smith as B.B. Bubbles
 * Kate Bristol as Bluebell Warblette
 * Taylor Fono as Rose Warblette
 * John Bowen as Artie Antlers
 * John Mayer as Glen Camel
 * Sergio Cortés as King Kat
 * Brandon Styles as Elkton John
 * Jared Sanchez as The King
 * Lady Bianca as Dolli Dimples
 * Cat Ridgeway as Esmeralda Jones
 * Joe Alaskey as Happy Fox
 * Eric Bauza as Wendy Fox
 * Jeff Bergman as Sappy Fox
 * Andrea Nieves as Cecilia Carrotcakes
 * Anndi McAfee as Adria Ardilla
 * Beki Russo as Hannah Banana

Casting
The main voice actors for all three main bands reprise their roles. On November 13, 2020, it was reported that Steam Powered Giraffe would make a cameo, as well as perform a song for the film's soundtrack.

Due to the film being produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the main voice actors recorded through Zoom during recording sessions.

Animation
The animation for the film is produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, using traditional cel animation. Some scenes were

Soundtrack
An official soundtrack was released on CD, with limited edition vinyl and cassette releases. They contain all the songs performed in the film, as well as Hans Zimmer and Creative Engineering's cues. Several stock music cues by Johnny Douglas, Barry Gray, John Williams, and Akira Ifukube are also heard at various points throughout the movie that are used during scenes with Ho-kago Tea Time, as they do not have any musical numbers to themselves, but are rather in a more action-oriented role.
 * 1) "Rock-afire Forever!" - Aaron Fechter (instrumental)
 * 2) "Down With Them!" - Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga
 * 3) "Our Journey Begins" - Aaron Fechter, Burt Wilson, Duke Chauppetta, Rick Bailey, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Jaret Reddick, Duncan Brannan, Caroline Richardson, John Bowen, Jeremy Blaido, Earl Fisher, Lee Ann Womack, Kate Bristol, Taylor Fono, and Jared Sanchez
 * 4) "A Visit to the Old West" - Lee Ann Womack
 * 5) "My Name is Joseph David" - "Weird Al" Yankovic
 * 6) "Suspicion" - Johnny Douglas (instrumental)
 * 7) "Our Path" - Aaron Fechter, Jaret Reddick, Burt Wilson, Duke Chauppetta, Rick Bailey, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Duncan Brannan, Caroline Richardson, John Bowen, Jeremy Blaido, Earl Fisher, Lee Ann Womack, Kate Bristol, Taylor Fono, and Jared Sanchez
 * 8) "We Can Help" - Justin Timberlake, Awkwafina, CeeLo Green, and Dolli Parton
 * 9) "You Fools!" - Justin Timberlake, Awkwafina, CeeLo Green, and Dolli Parton
 * 10) "The Theft" - Johnny Douglass (instrumental)
 * 11) "On the Road Again" - Aaron Fechter
 * 12) "What's the Skinny, Neighbor?" - Joe Alaskey, Eric Bauza, Jeff Bergman
 * 13) "Electricity is in My Soul" - Isabella Bennett, David Michael Bennett, Bryan Barbarin, Jon Sprague, Sam Luke, Erin Burke
 * 14) "Nodoka's Investigation" - Johnny Douglas (instrumental)
 * 15) "We Will Always Stay Together" - Aaron Fechter, Burt Wilson, Duke Chauppetta, Rick Bailey, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Jaret Reddick, Duncan Brannan, Caroline Richardson, John Bowen, Jeremy Blaido, Earl Fisher, Lee Ann Womack, Kate Bristol, Taylor Fono, and Jared Sanchez
 * 16) "Uncovering the Truth" - Johnny Douglas (instrumental)
 * 17) "A Dish Best Served Cold" - Jim Cummings
 * 18) "Hostage Situation" - Barry Gray (instrumental)
 * 19) "Yui's Call to Arms" - Johnny Douglas (instrumental)
 * 20) "The Rock-Off" - Aaron Fechter, Jaret Reddick, Burt Wilson, Duke Chauppetta, Rick Bailey, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Duncan Brannan, Caroline Richardson, John Bowen, Jeremy Blaido, Earl Fisher, Lee Ann Womack, Kate Bristol, Taylor Fono, and Jared Sanchez, Justin Timberlake, Awkwafina, CeeLo Green, Dolli Parton, and Jim Cummings
 * 21) "Mike's Escape" - Johnny Douglas (instrumental)
 * 22) "Motorcycle Chase" - John Williams (instrumental)
 * 23) "Recovering the Song/Ho-kago Tea Time's Revenge/Mike's Defeat" - Akira Ifukube (instrumental)
 * 24) "Rock-afire Forever!" (reprise with lyrics) - Aaron Fechter, Burt Wilson, Duke Chaupetta, Rick Bailey, Jeff Howell, Sarah Locke, Shalisa Sloan James, Shawn Fernandez, Cat Ridgeway