SYNOPSIS: Under the direction of Adam Shankman ("Hairspray"), New Line Cinema's feature film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical "Rock of Ages" comes to the big screen.

"Rock of Ages" tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock 'n' roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister and more.

REVIEW: Ok, so let me get the embarrassing bits out of the way. It started with a pulsing tap of the foot, on the opening scenes. It then transitioned in to an accompanying rhythmic clap to the Rock beats and in less than no time, it all culminated in to what I’d like to coin as S.O.L. Not L.O.L. (Laughing out loud), but SOL: Singing Out Loud. Yes that’s right I, along with a very vibrant audience, found myself singing passionately to the likes of Guns and Roses, Def Leppard, Journey, Poison, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, just to name a few. This foot tapping, hand clapping, head bopping; fist pumping musical was infectious from the very first scene. 

Now that we have those embarrassing ‘tid-bits’ out of the way, we can get to the movie. This film, based on the Broadway musical of the same name, is stellar with its line-up of stars. Director Adam Shankman has gone above and beyond the call of duty, with this one. Tom Cruise’s flawed character “Stacee Jaxx” embodies every characteristic of what we have come to know as the eighties Rock star. He is authentic with every stage move and is every bit convincing in his roll. He captivates the crowd with flawless performances throughout the movie. Moreover with this performance he has certainly graduated from the skinny teen of “Risky Business,” rocking away on an imaginary air-guitar, to the likeness of some of the eighties greatest front men, such as Axl Rose. Likewise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Mary J. Blige are exceptional in their supporting rolls. They bring song, drama, romance and comedy to the mix, with their signature individual attributes. However, the real attention-getter of the movie is a relatively new-comer, Julianne Hough (Footloose – 2011). What a hottie?! She is beautiful talented and lovable with a touch of Olivia Newton-John (Grease – 1978). She brings that real home-town girl feel to the roll of “Sherrie Christian,” sharing the screen with up-and-coming newbie, Diego Boneta (Javier Luna in the series 90210).

This flick is arguably the “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) for of a new generation (generation “i”). I predict that a whole new generation will follow this prospective cult-classic for decades to come. It has all of the hallmark traits of great musicals of the past such as Grease (1978), Jailhouse Rock (1957) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952). And as with its predecessors, it has a great sound-track with well-choreographed dance steps and lots of feel-good romance. It’s not about substance, it’s not about story-line, it’s not about artistic qualities; it’s about the Rock genre of the eighties and all that came with it.

If you have not been to the movies in a while, if you are married and planning a date-night outing, or if you are simply asking someone out on a date or maybe simply curious about the hype of the eighties rock genre, then this is the movie that will take movie-goers on a musical journey. This movie had the audience moving and grooving right up until the credits stopped rolling and the curtains closed. It was loud, it was sensational and it was certainly over the top Rock of Ages.

This is the movie to see for the summer and I give it four and a half stars for delivery. It certainly gives what the trailer portrays and more. 

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