Having seen the musical last year on Broadway, I feel like I'm going to sound like that person that always says "the book is better than the movie"....because the musical was, in fact, better than the movie. That doesn't mean, however, that the film version of "Rock of Ages" was bad. Just....different.
Different in that a few major plot lines were completely changed - among other things, the endgame for Tom Cruise's character, Stacee Jaxx; the relationship between Stacee and Sherrie; and the sexual orientation of club owner Dennis Dupree (played by Alec Baldwin).
The number one question I've been asked today is "Can Tom Cruise sing"? And the answer is yes. Cruise plays Jaxx well as a lonely, aloof, misunderstood rock star and his vocals are good - but this is one of the prime differences between the movie and the musical.
The musical stars Broadway talent that are professional singers. The film stars talent that are professional actors. The music is good...just not at the same level. The individual performances by Baldwin and Russell Brand steal the show, and the actors with singing chops, like Catherine Zeta Jones and Mary J Blige, do a great job.
Ultimately, if you love 80's music you'll love "Rock of Ages". If you came of age in the decade of decadence, it will bring back memories of school and mix tapes and The Breakfast Club and Tower Records and happy times. And since movies are meant to be escapism from the real world, well...mission accomplished.
Foster
Radio 96.1
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