Rating: B
Rock of Ages really is the rock and roll extravaganza of ages, being an undeniably insane movie musical like no other.
The all-star cast of actors and actresses is the first big selling point of the film. Tom Cruise plays Stacee Jaxx, a rock star that is constantly drowning himself in alcohol and scantly dressed women. He plays the part so convincingly that I’m confused as to whether or not this was an autobiography.
Drew Boley (Diego Boneta) and Sherrie Christian (Julianne Hough) are the cliché romantic couple that brings back fond memories of movies such as Grease, and they manage to instill their own place in the viewers’ hearts through great over-the-top stereotypical 1980’s portrayals of the wannabe rock star and groupie, respectively. The bane of all these free spirited rock ‘n rollers is captured perfectly by Catherine Zeta-Jones as Patricia Whitmore, the mayor’s wife with a dirty secret and quite the attitude. But if that weren’t enough, the mayor himself is Bryan Cranston!
The real stars of the show would have to be Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin) and Lonny Barnett (Russell Brand). That pair was the most memorable of the bunch, whether it was for their… compelling (?) late movie romance or their hysterical antics.
With such an amazing cast, the only thing that makes Rock of Ages even better is the music. For even the mildest rock ‘n roll fan, there is a song here that will have you fist-pumping your hand in the theatre until it’s sore.
Warning: this movie is raunchy and downright explicit. Sure, it’s trying to portray 1980’s L.A. in a realistic light, but the entire film pushes the borders of a PG-13 movie too close to an R rating. There are the funnier moments like when Stacee Jaxx’s bartender monkey punches—spoiler—unconscious, but there are also the moments that are so erotic it’s almost awkward to watch. And then there is the already mentioned romantic scene with Dupree and Barnett that takes the cake as the most memorable moment of any movie released this year.
Rock of Ages provides a good time if you go in expecting something that takes every aspect of rock ‘n roll to the extreme. If you’re willing to put up with some crazy, over-the-top scenes, I highly recommend this rockin ‘n rollin’ cinematic spectacle.
Filed under: thoughts/piks/happenings of the day | Tagged: Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dennis Dupree, Diego Boneta, Drew Boley, Julianne Hough, Lonny Barnett, Patricia Whitmore, Rock of Ages--film, Russell Brand, Sherrie Christian, Stacee Jaxx, Tom Cruise | Leave a Comment »
