Rock of Ages: DVD Review

Rock of Ages: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video

It's 1987 and the Sunset strip, Los Angeles in Hollywood - enter Julianne Hough's small town girl, Sherrie Christian, fresh off the bus and hoping to find her dreams. But within seconds of stepping off the bus, she's been robbed of her most vital possessions - her rock records.

Enter Diego Boneta's Drew, a bartender at famous rock joint, The Bourbon Club (run by Alec Baldwin's Dennis Dupree) - who comes to her aid and falls instantly in love with the fresh face.

But there's a storm brewing - and not just for the two lovers.

A new mayor's (a barely there Bryan Cranston) trying to get into power and the main thrust of his campaign, run by his wife, the evangelical Patricia Whitmore (a perma-bronzed Catherine Zeta Jones) is to get rid of the Bourbon club and sweep all of its rock'n'roll depravity into the confines of history.

Throw into volatile mix, the return of the original bad boy rocker and legend, Stacee Jaxx (played by Tom Cruise) who's about to go solo and is in town for one last gig with his band Arsenal at the Bourbon Club - it's all about to go down.

If you're after plot and deep character exposition then move on - this is a musical. But if as the song says "You ain't looking for nothin' but a good time", and you can cope with a bit of guilty pleasure music then, Rock of Ages  with Tom Cruise, really is for you.

Along with the cheese and a hint of comedy, comes a large side order of ham as some of the cast throw in a bit of over-acting here as is the wont of musicals. It is really the music which is the star of this flick - even if there are a few too many tunes belted out all over the place. 

Chalk Rock of Ages up to a guilty pleasure. It's as bloated and as excessive as the overblown 1980s rock music scene but hell, it's a fun night out  - if you're prepared to just put your brain in neutral and go with it.

Extras: Look at the real Sunset clubs, music featurette and Def Leppard live at the premiere.

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