Film Review: Rock of Ages (2012)
Rock of Ages (2012). Directed by Adam Shankman and based on the musical. The film is set in late 80s Los Angeles. Country girl Sherrie Christian (Julianne Hough) has moved there to seek fame and fortune. She meets up with a barman (Diego Boneta) at The Bourbon Room, and manages to get a job there as well. Rock of Ages is another in the line of so called Jukebox Musicals e.g. Mamma Mia, Moulin Rouge. The particular slant with this film is late 80s rrraawwwkkk music, with the emphasis on big hair, leather trousers etc. In a curious piece of casting Tom Cruise plays an Axl Rose-a-like character called Stacee Jaxx, and I thought he was pretty good (and he apparently sang all his own songs). Other actors of note include Alec Baldwin as The Bourbon Room's owner, with Russell Brand as his right-hand man, and Catherine Zeta Jones as a politician's wife campaigning against heavy metal. The main negatives for me were a somewhat derivative story, and a lacking love for some of the tracks chosen. Also it clocks in at just over 2 hours, and some harsher editing may have benefited it, along with some grander set pieces. Inevitably those who can't stand musicals, and/or Tom Cruise, and/or 80s heavy metal music should avoid. 3/5 (Average)