I admit it. I was a metal head. I remember the days of big hair, cheesy rock songs and monumental guitar solos. I make it a point to watch any movie that features 80s rock music. I haven’t seen Broadway’s Rock of Ages but I was excited that they released a movie version. Rock of Ages is a tribute to the 80s L.A. hair metal scene and I was not disappointed! I was able to see a screener of the Warner Bros film and I was impressed with Rock of Ages’ list of actors. Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, Juliannae Hough and Catherine Zeta-Jones are a few of the big names. The story revolves around a love story, laced with music by some of the best 80s rock bands.
Boy meets girl. That’s how the story starts. Sherrie (the girl) is played by Julianne Hough and she is adorable. She is a small town girl from Tulsa who moves to Hollywood to pursue her singing dreams with her rock band Arsenal LPs. Diego Boneta plays Drew (the boy). He’s a bar-back and inspiring musician. They meet, fall in love and work together at the Bourbon Room on Sunset Strip that political characters want to shut down. However, it is Tom Cruise who stole the show as Stacee Jaxx, the overindulgent, wasted rock star. 80s Metal definitely showcases some of the greatest frontmen and Tom Cruise captures the attitude and dysfunctional rock-god lifestyle. He also shows how lonely it really is at the top. This role was definitely a break from his usual characters but I thought he was bizarrely great!
This movie is set in 1987 at the turn when rock was almost dead. Drew’s dreams of being a rock star are derailed when his new manager talks him into being in a hop hop boy band, Z Guyeezz. Hilarious! Another great scene is when Sherri teasers her hair with Aqua Net Hair Spray! That is a classic 80s moment!
Being that it is a musical, almost every character in the movie sang. I thought the singing performances were really good. Songs by Bon Jovi, Poison, Def Leppard, Journey made up the set list. Tom Cruise did a terrific job singing “Wanted Dead Or Alive” by Bon Jovi! The movie was over the top, quite cheesy, but entertaining. There are some very funny performances from Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, and Paul Giamatti. Keep your eyes open for some quick real-ife Rock Star cameos! The only disappointment for me was that the song “Sherrie” by Steve Perry didn’t make it on the soundtrack! This would have been the perfect song for when Sherrie and Drew break up. Aside from the heart break, Rock of Ages has a cool-concert feel and Ain’t Nothing’ But A Good Time!
Rock of Ages is available on DVD October 9 at Best Buy. Rating: PG-13
Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service.
The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.
4 comments
I saw this movie in the theater and loved it! I found it very entertaining and really funny! I loved seeing the 80’s fashions and music. Although I was in Junior high in the 80’s and more into Madonna and the Go Go’s It did bring me back hearing some of the heavy metal hits. I would definitely watch this movie! Excited that it’s on DVD so my husband and I can watch it together!
i have been wanting to see this! i’ll have to grab it. this kind of stuff takes me back to high school days!
Interesting movie! Gotta check it out
We are old rockers too 🙂 I have seen clips of this movie but havent yet read a review- it sounds pretty good, but waiting for the DVD version. This would be a nice one to see on a lazy Saturday!