Rock of Ages

Surprisingly enjoyable adaption of broadway hit reminds us of the power of rock and roll.

I've always been a die-hard rock and roll fan, from the rockabilly styles of the 50's to the 90's new wave punk.  Even so, when I saw the trailers from Rock of Ages the movie, I was suspicious.  It had a solid cast, but Tom Cruise as a rock star?  It just didn't seem right.  Cruise proved me wrong, though.  Everyone in this movie performed well.

Rock of Ages is set in the fading glory days of true rock and roll, which is to say the late 1980's.  The film's entire plot centers around a Los Angeles club titled "The Bourbon Room," a once popular concert venue that has  fallen on hard times.  Owned by rock and roll junkie Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin), the club is in desperate need of money and things only get worse when the city's new mayor's wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) vows to clean up the city, which means abolishing all rock and roll venues.  Dupree's two young employees Sherrie (Julianne Hough) and Drew (Diego Boneta) both have musical dreams of their own, but Dupree isn't granting any favors...at least he doesn't want to.  All the club's hopes rest on the shoulders of aging rock star Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise), who got his first start there, many years ago.  Things take a turn for the worst, however, when his greedy manager (Paul Giamatti) decides to double cross Dupree and that's where things get interesting.  Adding to the mix are Russel Brand as Dupree's rock loving sidekick Ronny, and Malin Ackerman as an overly critical journalist.

Expect many performances of songs you may know, including Twister Sister's "I Wanna Rock," Poison's "Every Rose Has It's Thorn," and a show stopping rendition of Journey "Don't Stop Believing."  It really had everything, from music, to romance, to standing up for what you believe in and "sticking it to the man."  I just wish Jack Black could have had a role in this; anyone who saw his performance in "School of Rock" will understand why.  The bottom line is, though, if you love rock, you'll love this movie.  Long live rock and roll.

4 Stars.