MOVIE REVIEW ... ROCK OF AGES

 

‘Rock of Ages’ is the newest kid on the jukebox musical block.  With a threadbare plot hanging together some hit rock tunes it’s very much a movie full of spectacle and high energy songs.  Whether that’s enough to engage audiences is another matter as most from this genre forget to tell a good story.  Spicing events with 1980’s outfits and music can only go so far with ‘Rock of Ages’ barely entertaining even if it may find a willing audience of hard-core head-bangers.

Sherrie (Julianne Hough) and Drew (Diego Boneta) are a couple working at the Bourbon Room.  A magnet for trend-setters, the likes of owners Lonny (Russell Brand), Dennis (Alec Baldwin) seem keen on indulging in sex, drugs and rock and roll.  When glam metal rock superstar Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) arrives, the stage is set for musical and physical excess with the party always staying in full swing.

‘Rock of Ages’ is like a Hollywood version of karaoke.  Instead of singing in a bar or performing in front of a music video they make movie versions instead.  Whilst few have made a memorable mark it’s doubtful this will.  Based on a Broadway musical it betrays its stage origins with a glacially paced script and clichéd story.  One knows the course events will take with the bland characters highlighting the lack of inspiration and dynamic flair.

Not that the dance sequences are forgettable - they are superbly performed.  Some of the rock tunes are great although having an original soundtrack is usually more interesting.  The setting is fun with the decade of excess reasonably well rendered.  It’s a shame everything is so sanitised in the usual glossily commercial fashion.  The actors have tons of fun but only Cruise leaves any impression with his showy performance. 

As musical movies go ‘Rock of Ages’ is a bit of a toothless tiger. It could have been more honest in its depiction of the era with the cast looking a bit too perfect for this mediocre tribute to a golden era of American rock.

Movie Review Rating  4 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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