Some stories are best left in the trash-heap of history. Rock of Ages, though it sounds like it could be the story of 80s big-permed-hair-bands and their quest to wear the tightest pants ever, is not such a film. It is worth checking out.
One could hardly believe tales of a nascent Sunset Strip music scene overwhelming the silken pop-saccharin of the New Romantic and Post-Punks in the early 80s. Who would trade in a melancholic, yet up-lifting synthesizer drenched song about world hunger for a pedestrian hard rock ballad about getting laid? Sure enough, hair-bands like Ratt, Guns N’ Roses and Poison made the Sunset Strip their home in the 80s and their foot-soldiers are just now starting to make way for ‘hipsters’ and their Post-Punk/80s revival rock.
Fortunately, the success of Rock of Ages, based on the Tony-nominated Broadway musical of the same name, doesn’t depends exclusively on whether one likes hair rock. The film stars country singer Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta with an ensemble cast including Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Malin Åkerman, Bryan Cranston, with Alec Baldwin and Mary J. Blige. It features songs by Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, Europe, Night Ranger, Twisted Sister, and REO Speedwagon. These actors and songs are the film’s strongest assets since the plot, ‘A small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams,’ is hardly inspired. But Director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) captures strong performances from his cast and moves the film along to a solid finish, making Rock of Ages an energetic, cheeky film that is fun to watch.
Rock of Ages, a New Line Cinema release, is rated PG-13 for sexual content, suggestive dancing, some heavy drinking and language. Running time: 123 minutes.