FILMS… Rock of Ages (2012)

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Cruising back to the 1980s with the Rock of Ages movie…

 

A romantic musical about a girl and boy wanting to find fame as rock stars in the 1980s with a rock soundtrack.

 

Akerman and Cruise

Catherine Zeta Jones

Rock of Ages, youtube movies and photos © Warner Bros

 

When deciding on something to write about for my second post, I asked my Darlin Husband. He suggested another film review focusing on the Jack Nicholson classic movie, The Shining (1980). After watching this film again, I got distracted and started thinking of the excellent South Park (1997-) parody cartoon of this movie. This was where patriarch, Randy Marsh plays Nicholson’s character Jack Torrance. This thought is plainly wrong when you are watching one of your favourite Oscar winning actors.

After reading up about The Shining film, I discovered Stephen King wanted Christopher Reeve to play Jack Torrance. After telling this surprising fact to my Darlin Husband, he suggested the potential of a horrific new remake with Brad Pitt as Torrance. This I feel would inevitably make it a Jolie – Pitt production starring all their kids in cameos. Still, that idea is more appealing than the thought of a Will Smith family production.

Instead of The Shining, I’m going to gitter about the film, Rock of Ages (2012). This film is based on the hit romantic comedy musical of the same name. It is set in the 1980s with an excellent rock Glam Metal musical soundtrack. The plot is also a classic – read predictable – romantic comedy of boy meets girl film, but it boasts a much better and unique story from the supporting all-star cast.

This film is great fun, especially if you ignore these two leads, Sherrie and Drew who are the squeaky-clean lover protagonists. These two romantic leads are played by – the easily forgettable and equally annoying – Diego Boneta and Julianne Hough. Sherrie and Drew’s love story was so contrived I stopped caring about them after the first 5 minutes of the film, so please bear with them.

This film does get better. I promise. Both these leads may have the looks but are unconvincing in their roles as potential rock stars. He looks more like a boy band member and she would look more comfortable singing soppy romantic country ballads. These dreary leads, however, are totally upstaged by the supporting cast.

All these supporting acting talents are also surprisingly good singers, which is more than you can say about one or more of those leads. Catherine Zeta Jones, who wowed us in Chicago (2002) shows off those enviable singing and dancing talents again. It also has a long-haired Tom Cruise who rightly or wrongly commands every scene he’s in. As the rock star, Stacee Jaxx, Cruise looks exceptionally tall in this film, possibly due to his high heeled boots.

However, all of them – even Cruise – are upstaged by an equally long-haired Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand (with a mullet). Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand have fun playing their most sensitive and perhaps most romantic roles to date. Paul Giamatti’s singing voice was present, but unfortunately, he had no solo songs to show off his singing ability.

To sum things up, it’s a great wee film with more than a few A-list celebrities (known for more conventional roles) singing and dancing surprisingly well. Also, it has probably been the most romantic – albeit tongue-in-cheek romantic montage since Up (2009) which sends up every romantic comedy ever. Tom Cruise doesn’t run this film, probably due to his footwear… but he does reach new heights as a musical actor.

 

Weeper Rating:  😦 /10

Handsqueeze Rating:  🙂 /10

Hulk Rating:  ‎ ‎ ‎ / ‎10