ROCK OF AGES

With Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige, Russell Brand

Written by Justin Theroux, Chris D'Arienzo, Allan Loeb (based on the musical by Chris D'Arienzo)

Directed by Adam Shankman

The new tradition of movies being turned into Broadway stage musicals (from The Lion King and The Producers to Spider-Man) here gets the traditional treatment from stage to screen.

Set in the '80s around The Bourbon Room (based on Los Angeles Sunset Strip spots like the Whiskey A Go-Go), it's the classic tale of a small town girl (who loves rock music and also sings) arriving in Hollywood with stars in her eyes. But it's a tough town. After being robbed she meets a young bar-back at the Bourbon Room (also with musician aspirations) and he wangles a job for her at the club.. They have a common love of rock music and band Arsenal with the controversial and popular lead singer Stacee Jaxx. The club is struggling and its old-school owner hopes that Arsenal's show at will give them a boost. This is to be last show with Jaxx in the band, before going solo. He is beyond eccentric, demanding, and even delusional. A senator and his firebrand religious wife wants to destroy the Rock evil, with Jaxx and the Bourbon Room the main target.

The new young couple's dreams of making it big gets dangled in front of them, but naturally snatched away, with jealousy and bad decisions resulting in them having to fight for it when forced into leading paths they don't believe in.
A range of other colourful characters include sleazy managers, eccentric rock stars, old school rockers, scam artists, journalists, and party heads.
The story is told via some legendary Rock, Hard Rock and Metal music, the lyrics relevant to the situations. These include Guns 'n Roses' “Paradise City”, Journey's “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Any Way You Want It”, Pat Benatar's “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, Extreme's “More Than Words”, Bon Jovi's “Wanted Dead Or Alive”, Foreigner's “I Want To Know What Love Is” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You”, Twisted Sister's “I Wanna Rock”, Def Leppard's “Rock Of Ages” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me”, Night Ranger's “Sister Christian”, David Lee Roth's “Just Like Paradise”, Whitesnake's “Here I Go Again”, REO Speedwagon's “I Can’t Fight This Feeling”, Poison's “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Nothin’ But A Good Time”, Scorpions' “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, and mash-ups of songs include “Juke Box Hero” & “I Love Rock ‘n Roll”, “Shadows of the Night” & “Harden My Heart”, “We Built This City” & “We’re Not Gonna Take It”.

With so much unforgettable music from that era there was such a wealth to choose from and dozens more could've been picked, like for instance Mötley Crüe and Kiss.

Some of the cameos by musician include Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), and teenyboper Debbie Gibson.

One of the several producers include former Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire.
This is a blast for people growing up in that era, and hopefully will turn some youngsters on to some of the classic music created in the '80s.

Extra featurettes include a look at Def Leppard's live performance at the premiere.

5 / B
- Paul Blom

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- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice