THE BOTTOM LINE: ROCK OF AGES

 

ROCK OF AGES

STARRING:  Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta Jones, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman and Bryan Cranston

DIRECTOR:  Adam Shankman

GENRE:  Musical

SYNOPSIS:  A small town girl and a big city boy seek rock and roll fame and fortune on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.

RATING:  PG-13

RUNNING TIME:  123 Mins

THE GOOD:   Classic Rock hits from Journey, Poison, Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Night Ranger and REO Speedwagon.

Catherine Zeta Jones star power shines brightly and easily eclipses the rest of the cast; including Tom Cruise.  Unfortunately, he plays his supporting role a little too safe by giving most of his work to a baboon; which was great for the film, but bad for him

Never underestimate the power of “jazz hands” and a good moisturizer!”

THE BAD:  “Sex, drugs and rock and roll” without the “sex” and “drugs?”  This Broadway musical could have been grunged-up a bit for its feature debut.  Instead we get a G-Rated version that is not only different from the hit Broadway play, it never rings true. And worse of all… it will BORE you.

What was director Adam Shankman thinking?

THE UGLY:  With bombs like FOOTLOOSE and BURLESQUE already under her belt, Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough fails to impress in her second leading role.  Blame it on her annoying kewpie doll voice…  Or blame it on her boyfriend Ryan Seacrest, who could have bought her a better role… Time for her to go back to TV!

MY SCORE:  **

(2 OUT OF 5 STARS)