Just a small town girl...
And yes, she is living in a lonely world. Sherrie has "journeyed" to find fame and fortune in 1987 Los Angeles. She ends up working at a club. But this isn’t any old club, it’s the Bourbon Room, a famous Rock ‘N’ Roll club, gearing up for a huge Stacee Jaxx concert. And it’s where she finds love.
There’s also a useless subplot in Rock of Ages about the city’s mayor and his wife wanting to close the Bourbon Room, but really the entire plot just serves as exposition and introduction to some of the huge musical numbers they perform.
And boy do they pack this movie with music; I’m not sure if at any point we go for more than 10 minutes without a song. Which is fine by me, since the return to Rock ‘N’ Roll is what most of the audience is there for anyways.
This is why critics have written that Rock of Ages is “Two films in one: the good film, which is composed of extremely proficient, highly energetic production numbers (of which there are many), and the clichéd, surprisingly non-energetic other film, which is composed of all the talky bits” (CJ Johnson).
There’s also a useless subplot in Rock of Ages about the city’s mayor and his wife wanting to close the Bourbon Room, but really the entire plot just serves as exposition and introduction to some of the huge musical numbers they perform.
And boy do they pack this movie with music; I’m not sure if at any point we go for more than 10 minutes without a song. Which is fine by me, since the return to Rock ‘N’ Roll is what most of the audience is there for anyways.
This is why critics have written that Rock of Ages is “Two films in one: the good film, which is composed of extremely proficient, highly energetic production numbers (of which there are many), and the clichéd, surprisingly non-energetic other film, which is composed of all the talky bits” (CJ Johnson).
It’s true; most of the dramatic moments really aren’t all that dramatic, because they can never match up to the adrenaline we feel while reliving the classic rock ballads. And it’s also because the film’s two leads, the amazingly attractive Julianne Hough (Footloose) and the insignificant Diego Boneta (Mean Girls 2), can’t act worth a lick. Sure they are phenomenal singers and dancers, and again, Julianne Hough is crazy pretty (is my celebrity crush showing through?), but they just can’t act. Everything they say feels like you’re watching a high school play and their chemistry is obviously forced.
Luckily they are surrounded by a phenomenal supporting cast. Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, and Malin Akerman (another celebrity crush of mine) all do well. But the real scene-stealing star is Tom Cruise. Whether you think he’s crazy or not, the man is an acting legend and he jumped right into Rock of Ages, willing to create one of the funniest characters he’s ever played in Stacee Jaxx. In Tropic Thunder he got to hilariously make fun of movie producers as Les Grossman. Here he rips into celebrity superstars, clearly satirizing himself a bit too.
Seriously, Tom Cruise is great in this movie. But maybe a little too great? Because once Stacee Jaxx is introduced, every other character feels bland by comparison. Except for, perhaps, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand, who have a great time building up to a surprising climax between their characters.
Rock of Ages is fun and over-the-top, but despite highlight acting from Cruise and foot-stomping, fist-pumping songs, the film itself needed to be as good as the songs it celebrated; instead, it was outshone and overpowered by them. You never quite shake the feeling that you really just got a ticket to watch a bunch of celebrities get together to sing karaoke.
The Final Word: Wait to rent it.
Luckily they are surrounded by a phenomenal supporting cast. Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, and Malin Akerman (another celebrity crush of mine) all do well. But the real scene-stealing star is Tom Cruise. Whether you think he’s crazy or not, the man is an acting legend and he jumped right into Rock of Ages, willing to create one of the funniest characters he’s ever played in Stacee Jaxx. In Tropic Thunder he got to hilariously make fun of movie producers as Les Grossman. Here he rips into celebrity superstars, clearly satirizing himself a bit too.
Seriously, Tom Cruise is great in this movie. But maybe a little too great? Because once Stacee Jaxx is introduced, every other character feels bland by comparison. Except for, perhaps, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand, who have a great time building up to a surprising climax between their characters.
Rock of Ages is fun and over-the-top, but despite highlight acting from Cruise and foot-stomping, fist-pumping songs, the film itself needed to be as good as the songs it celebrated; instead, it was outshone and overpowered by them. You never quite shake the feeling that you really just got a ticket to watch a bunch of celebrities get together to sing karaoke.
The Final Word: Wait to rent it.
Rock of Ages was fun but nothing too entirely special, except for a kick-ass performance from Cruise. He’s always great, then again, that’s pretty much a given. Good review Ethan.
ReplyDeletenice review as well sir. Agree with you that the romance angle wasn't the best thing about the film. But i feel the angle with the mayor and his wife gave a necessary dichotomy and tension that parallels real life. It makes those of us that miss great rock and roll even more enthralled with the music. All in all a great review as well. Cheers
ReplyDeleteCool review. I thought the movie was insanely weird in places eg. the gay kiss, the ear lick, Paul Gill singing. But I enjoyed Malin Akerman in underwear. I had a good time with the music too. Do you give scores out of ten?
ReplyDelete