Don't let the date of this entry fool you...I actually saw this joint opening day a week ago. If there would have been a midnight showing of it I would have went to that. And as it is I still want to see it again. So I guess I've already spoiled it for you as to how I feel about this one, huh? Well let me get into a little more detail anyway.
"Rock of Ages" is the latest Brodway musical to be adapted to the big screen. It's the story of small town girl Sherrie Christian (Julianne Hough) who flees Oklahoma (because who wouldn't?) in search of the fame and glitter of Los Angeles. She meets up with local city boy Drew (Diego Boneta) who wants to pursue his own dream of becoming a rocker just like the iconic Stacie Jaxx (Tom Cruise). The whole thing is told using the hairband rock music of the 80s.
I have been dying to see this flick ever since I saw the first trailer. How could any child of the 80s NOT want to see it? Okay...any child of the 80s that grew up on that music. Yes, I loved the R&B and rap of the era but remember...I went to Norwalk. I was around rock music all the time. I could have tried to fight it, but I was really feeling it. Flash forward to today and that music brings back all kinds of great feelings of my childhood.
As for the movie itself, I'm not going to lie...the plot was very predictable. We've seen it a thousand times. They definitely didn't tread any new ground. Well...except for the slight twist with Alec Baldwin's character which I didn't see coming. Besides that, you could guess everything else that was going to happen before the next scene even came around. In some movies that would be a huge minus. In a flick like this one driven by the music, I was perfectly fine with it.
And again, I can't stress this enough, I don't care what anyone says about Cruise..he's okay with me. He can worship all the spaceships and aliens he wants as long as he keeps making good movies. He's definitely done it here again. Dude is in great shape to be 50+ He was the perfect selection for a rocker on the down slope of his career trying to find that one big hit to keep hanging on. Sure, he may have played it a bit over-the-top, but it fit in perfectly with the theme of the film. His singing was also pretty impressive as well. Looks like those voice lessons with Axl Rose's vocal coach paid off.
The bottom line is if you enjoyed that music of the era then you will easily enjoy "Rock of Ages". Don't go in there expecting Spielberg or you'll be thoroughly disappointed. However, if you are like me and always cheese when you hear some of those songs from your junior high and high school years then you will be all over this one.
My rating: A -
