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SOUND OFF

Sound Off: Adam Shankman's 'Rock of Ages' - What Did You Think?

by Alex Billington
June 15, 2012

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? From Broadway to Hollywood, the latest musical to hit the big screen is Rock of Ages, directed by the one-and-only Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Prop 8: The Musical). He rounds up quite an ensemble lead by Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Julianne Hough, Malin Akerman, Russell Brand and Catherine Zeta-Jones. So how is this rockin' 80's glam metal, hair band musical extravaganza? Is it better than the original Broadway version, or just another Hollywood musical? Does Cruise rock it? Once you've seen it, leave a comment with your thoughts on Shankman's Rock of Ages.

Note: I have not personally been able to see Rock of Ages yet, but do plan on seeing it eventually. Instead, to open up the discussion, here's some starting thoughts on the movie from our own Ben Pearson's review from Filmonic: "As a film, Rock of Ages is a solid match with the music it repackages: earnest, bombastic, and unapologetically cheesy at every turn. Though the movie’s tagline promises 'nothin’ but a good time' and mostly delivers, you’ll likely encounter a few minutes of trouble in paradise (city). Until next time..."

What did you think of Shankman's Rock of Ages? Summer musical fun or a big, flashy mess? We will remove any comments that indicate you have not seen the movie, as this area is meant to discuss the film only once you have seen it and can talk about your thoughts. Please keep the comments civilized!

Filed under Discuss, Sound Off

From around the web:

http://www.facebook.com/Tyban Tyler Bannock

I found it entertaining but still very cheesy. The whole cast was good. Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand stole the movie.
Joseph H. Allard

Tom Cruise is in it and therefore I won't waste my money.
- Xerxexx
  
  That's a little over dramatic. Cruise has proven to be a capable actor. Separate the actor from the man.
  - Joseph H. Allard
    
    That would be like separating the Tea Party from from the Republicans. Not going to happen!
    - Xerxexx
      
      You're gonna miss out if you let one actor ruin a possible good time, save politics for politics...watch movies for movies.
      - Ryderup
        
        To a certain degree, yes. For Tom Cruise, yes. But not in all cases
      - http://www.quanahblogs.com/ Quanah
        
        I agree.
      - Joseph H. Allard
        
        It isn't really about politics. It was just the first thing that came to mind. I'll wait until it comes out on NetFlix, or not.
      - Xerxexx
        
        Actors are human...and we humans are strange creatures...you don't have to like Cruise as a person but he has shown time and time again that he is a strong actor.
      - Joseph H. Allard
        
        Yea, that's why his movie is being beat out by Madagascar. I am just not going to pay money to see his movies. I already wasted money on Prometheus.
      - Xerxexx
        
        What exactly did Cruise do to you?
      - Nathan
        
        wasted money on Prometheus? Wow, I liked Prometheus a lot, but to each their own I guess.
      - DustyOR
        
        it is not about politics for me.........just find him annoying in many ways.
      - mooreworthy
        
        Yeah, my wife can't stand his views, but acknowledges his skills on the screen. He did great.
  - clocker910
    
    That;s what I say, you should be able to take away the artist from the actual art. There are alot of examples of people who have made great art but are just assholes. Let's take Mel Gibson for example, he has done alot of crazy messed up stuff lately, but Braveheart is still one of my favorite movies of all time and he still makes good movies, if I can quote South Park, "Say what you will about Mel Gibson, the man knows story structure."
    - Xerxexx
      
      Indeed.
- DustyOR
  
  ROFL............my same take particularly if he sheds any clothing...........
Jericho

it was entertaining enough to enjoy but definitely not enough for a second watch.....
Nathan

The music was obviously good, especially if your an 80's rock fan. But story wise it was weak, depended too much on the music to tell the story instead of telling a story and let the music compliment it. Felt like I was watching a music number every 5 mins. As much as I loved the music, it almost felt a bit too much. Tom Cruise was actually good as Stacy Jaxx, Brand and Baldwin were hilarious. The two leads were weak acting wise. Over all still a fun movie.
- A guy
  
  Ummm...it's called a musical. The music is supposed to tell the story.
jmgonzales

didn't hit the right notes ... though Russel Brand should have been given more screentime - fantastic! Catherine Zeta-Jones also delivered - but was overused in this project. XD
- Akirakorn
  
  Considering how great he is as Aldous Snow I figured anything other than a leading role is a waste on his singing/acting talents.
http://www.facebook.com/preston.beaty.5 Preston Beaty

I'd say it's great for a one-time viewing complete with classic music and actors obviously just having fun. Better to see in a large crowd. If you go expecting more than auto-tune and cheese, you will be disappointed. However, for a lighthearted nostalgia kick with some good laughs, it certainly left me satisfied.
Leslie Dew

Thank you Adam Shankman! You are now my new Rock God. The movie was the most entertaining I have seen in years. You took me back to high school, big hair and lots of memories. I laughed, I sang and would have danced if I coult have. Would go see this movie again again and again. Tom Cruise as a rock star, didn't think it would work, but it so did.
Mike

I thought it did the Broadway show a terrible dis service. I felt like I was watching a really, really, long episode of Glee. Although the music was entertaining (at times), it became very excessive and very corny. Very disappointed, but extremely impressed with Tom Cruise. And to anybody who saw this movie and not the Broadway show, do yourself a favor, and go see the show! Probably the most fun I have ever had at a Broadway show.
- J
  
  Yeah, cuz we all live close to New York and can do that whenever we want.
Class of 84!

So much fun! Didn't love Julianne Hough but still had a blast!
Max

The storyline was weak. Tom Cruise was great. They def overused the songs. I felt there could have been less music. It did feel like a long episode of glee.
Isildur_of_Numenor

There's definitely not enough fire fueled on this 'sound off' post. Happens too often lately. I wonder how this came to be...
- Danimal
  
  oh damnnnn you just got spammmmmed lol
  - Isildur_of_Numenor
    
    Ain't that a bummer? )
- http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
  
  What do you mean? There's quite a few comments on here now... Nah I just think it was one of those summer movies that our crowd of readers wasn't really that into. Ethan was interested in it, but I never saw it and am only mildly interested, only Ben did. Just the way it goes sometimes...
  - Isildur_of_Numenor
    
    People comment, that's not the problem. The Prometheus 'sound off' had +200 comments. I was talking about your comment. "To fuel the fire" is missing a lot these days, I hope you're not too busy or anything like that. It's just that I would love to hear your opinion on the film, but I can see why you wouldn't want to watch Rock of Ages, opening day.
    - http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
      
      Ohhhhhhh... Yea I can't see everything, some of this stuff just doesn't come my way. Don't remember seeing any early invites either. Sometimes studios just don't invite me early, and by the time it comes out, I'm too busy to see it opening weekend. Yea. Don't worry, on all the big ones, I usually see them before they come out (just saw Brave, ALVH this weekend).
      - Isildur_of_Numenor
        
        That's true, makes sense. "just saw Brave, ALVH this weekend" Wow, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
S8nBoi

I received free preview tickets to a showing of this movie sponsored by KFOX FM in San Francisco and hosted by their morning man, 80's Rocker Greg Kihn... even that was not motivation enough for me to go and waste two hours of my life.
Bear Man

Was very average acting from the leads with great music. The story was unbearable and the conflicts werent very relevant to the overall direction of the film
Corky

Director screwed up, Julianna Hough sucked ( had one expression throughout the movie and it was clueless). Tom Cruise was phenomenal, so was everybody else, the Director tanked this movie.
Ashley Sargiotto

I honestly went for the music and ended up laughing my ass off...in a good way. The acting wasn't top-notch but over all a good movie
angela

Adam Shankman is a genius! I loved the movie! The music told the story and the way they made 2 songs go together was amazing! We were singing every song and we laughed out loud at the well timed humurous parts. The cast was perfect and Tom Cruise was brilliant!!!!
jk

Loved it. Fun. For 50 Tom Cruise looks amazing.... Can sing as well...