Rock of Ages

 Director: Adam Shankman

“If there’s anything we need in this recession ridden world, it’s a musical. Yes, we need to throw off the shackles of depression to sing rock anthems at the tops of our lungs so we can face the world anew and enjoy a brand new day.” If you’re of a particular disposition, this is what “Rock of Ages” will tell you. For everyone else it will tell you the following important nugget of information: Tom Cruise should never, ever wear tight leather pants.

The plot is complex and difficult. Ok, that’s a lie: a boy and girl in ’80s Los Angeles. They defy all the odds to keep rock and roll alive whilst falling in love with each other. A load of famous people – including Tom Cruise (playing an aging rocker, in a move that has had everyone go “Oooh, it’s so funny, he’s playing against type,”), Paul Giamatti and Russell Brand – turn up with some shockingly bad wigs and everyone sings. The audience goes home wondering just what the hell they have seen in the preceding two hours.

The film is akin to going to a drunken karaoke do with your workmates: it’s fun watching them let their hair down but there’s still something unsettling about watching them sing and you’re not sure if you’ll be able to look them in the eye the next day. Will we be able to see Catherine Zeta-Jones seriously again after seeing her warble ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’? (what do you mean, “We never did in the first place.”?).

Ultimately this knows its audience and – give that it’s based on a Broadway hit – means it knows exactly how to deliver it. Young leads Diego Boneta and Julianne Hough are amiable enough and Adam Shankman knows not to be too clever, as ‘director’ in this case seems to be shorthand for ‘man pointing camera at moving and singing people’.
It’s a musical with ’80s hits. You’re either booking tickets now or recoiling in horror. H H
Also Showing

“Magic Mike” – Steven Soderbergh makes yet another movie. This time Channing Tatum plays a male stripper in a mix of comedy and drama that, whilst not always successful, is still engaging.
“2 Days in New York” – Julie Delpy stars, writes and directs in this sequel to her film “2 Days in Paris.” This time she’s dating Chris Rock whose relationship is put to the test when her reactionary parents turn up.

“Ice Age 4: Continental Drift” – More talking animated animals designed to keep the kids quiet.