Rock of Ages Movie Review
Director: Adam Shankman
Writers: Justin Theroux, Chris D’Arienzo, Allan Loeb
Stars: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Ackerman
Rock of Ages is based on a successful Broadway musical. If you like the glam rock music of the 70s and 80s, including such bands as: Def Leppard, Journey, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Joan Jett, and Jefferson Starship–the music by itself is worth the price of admission, if you’re older and feeling nostalgic or younger and happen to fancy the music of the period.
The movie does not take itself seriously, and neither should you. In many ways it’s a typical stage musical: a series of musical numbers strung together with just enough plot to barely hold it together.
Strong points include great covers of all the rock songs, especially by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin and Tom Cruise (who knew?), not to mention Mary J. Blige and Russell Brand (we already knew they could sing). Especially nice is when two completely different tunes are sung combatively by groups in total opposition–one example is “We Built This City” versus “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. Also, beautifully choreographed, incredibly athletic pole dancers in a strip club scene (don’t be afraid, the movie is PG-13!). Paul Giamatti is absolutely slimy as the evil record company manager out only for himself. Russell Brand gives an understated (for him!) performance as Lonny that is my favorite of everything I’ve seen him in.
Things that don’t work so well: in usual musical manner, there are three different romances along the course of the movie (maybe three-and-a-half). The only one that’s even halfway believable is the one that involves two people who have known each other more than a week. They’re kind of cute. The others seem contrived, no matter how hard they try. The two leads, Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta, are utterly forgettable in this, although they both sing well and are very pretty. Tom Cruise gives a great performance, but he seems to be channeling Johnny Depp–while everyone else is having a goofy time, he’s playing a deadly serious, oddball character that almost belongs in another movie altogether. And Malin Ackerman is totally wasted in the role of Constance Sack, reporter for Rolling Stone magazine–but someone had a lot of fun making her up as a virtual Nicole Kidman look-a-like for her first scene with Tom Cruise.
Go see this one, but bring a bunch of friends, and leave your formality at the door. Just relax, listen to the music, and have a good time. This one isn’t filet mignon–it’s more a cheeseburger and fries. But it’s still dinner . . . and you can always have a snack later if you’re still hungry.
Elektra Hammond
Buzzy Mag Editor & Reviewer
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