Rock of Ages

[Beate]

That really was a loud premiere. A band was playing, stars got interviewed, there was a big screen outside and loads of fans screaming Tom's name. Fair play, he really signed autographs for 3 hours and had his picture taken, not once losing his smile. They were live-streaming the action inside the cinema too, where we discovered popcorn, water and sweets (M&Ms, Maltesers) at our seats, which, shock horror, were in Row C of the stalls. How rainey got her row M seats I'll never know. But it was bearable as we had no one directly in front, and for the 10 minutes that the director and stars were on stage, it offered a top view. I just seriously need a better camera. I found the director tiresome after a while, addressing each star with a question about himself: "So tell me Malin, which song would you associate most with me?" or some such shtick.

Unlike some people here, I have only seen the stage show once, and while I remember the infectious energy, I thought the film story worked a bit better, with the stereotypical Germans trimmed off, and the story all in all feeling rounder. Tom Cruise was a revelation, Paul Giamatti his usual great self and Catherine Zeta Jones really nailed it, but for me Russell Brand was the one fly in the ointment. He is awful, I just don't like him, all he ever does is play up to the camera, and if that was a true Brummie accent, I'll eat my hat. He was also quite crude on stage. Diego Boneta is lovely and cute and has a nice voice, but is pretty charisma-free, as is Julianne Hough.

But Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx - damn. That love song between Tom and Malin Akerman - I may have cheered at the end. Some pretty good songs that we know and love, sung with a lot of conviction, though I thought Mary J. Blige was a bit wasted in her small role. I was rocking in my seat at the end.

Ashamed to say I opportunistically grabbed a few more M&M's bags on the way out.

9/10

P.S. Those huge mobile phones were so funny!

THANK YOU VALDA!

[Rainey]

Don't now if this was noted before but the Record Executive who stands up and sings was Constantine Maroulis the original Broadway Drew.

[Beate]

I swear I didn't read this before I wrote my review:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06 ... lp00000008

[brettie]

thanks for the photos silkmansam, they looked great. I must say 3 hours of autographs is some going. I always thought Tom Cruise was overrated but in the last few years my view has changed and he thoroughly throws himself into his film parts. I loved MIGP and I expect this film will be great, I too have seen the stage show thanks to tickets from hdaniels last year.

[funthing29]

Don't now if this was noted before but the Record Executive who stands up and sings was Constantine Maroulis the original Broadway Drew.

Ha ha, I knew I recognised him from somewhere!

I have very mixed feelings about the film. Some parts I really liked (Tom Cruise was brilliant at Stacee) and some parts really didn't work. There are a few homages to fans of the stage show but some material is also included that adds nothing to the story (such as the Dennis/Lonnie duet). The storytelling is a bit messy and the basic plot is drowned out by all the songs (which occasionally feel thrown in with no association to the story).

Considering this is from the director of Hairspray, which I quite liked, I found Rock of Ages too loud, garish and in your face (which seemed in line with his personality after his introduction at the premiere). Everything is over the top to the point of being cringeworthy at times. There were a few jokes but it isn't nearly as funny as it tries to be.

This reminds me of Mammia Mia, where A list stars are cast more for their big name on the banner, rather than their singing ability.

I think I may need to watch it again to see how it holds up on second viewing.

6.5/10.

[superhero]

Oh yes and that Dennis/Lonnie duet came out so out of the blue in the film. People who have seen the musical will know that it is coming, but people watching the film and trying to follow a storyline will be going what the hell??

[canadian_turtle]

I had a great time at the premiere yesterday though I was sad that I clearly wasn't determined/crazy enough to start queuing at 9am as people got loads of free stuff (air guitars, ROA t-shirts, headbands, scarves, bracelets, wigs, etc) and we didn't get any freebies once inside (not even the badges the people got at the multi-media screening which I was really counting on )

However I did enjoy watching the live band for a while and the cast introduction I thought was absolutely fabulous! Usually just director talks for a bit and the rest of the cast stands quietly to the side but this time around they all got to talk (albeit ABOUT the director, but I thought it was hilarious). I recorded the whole thing which I'll upload and post later (same with my pics).

Now about the film, let me just start with saying that while I intended to not compare the film to the stage show and enjoy it for what it is, I did end up comparing all the scenes/changes/characters and the film unfortunately isn't as great as I expected and hoped it to be.

The lead voices weren't very strong. I'm sorry Diego, you're very pretty to look at but you don't really have a rock star voice and Julianne has a bit of an odd soft/Barbie voice that got on my nerves after a while. However, Tom Cruise surprised me by being excellent. The Stacee Jaxx in the film is very different from the one on stage so I can't compare the two (which is probably a good thing) but he was really, really great. And the fact he's shirtless for the duration of the film certainly helped. Also, Hey Man was quite a fun addition to the film providing some funny scenes.

Some much needed funny scenes as a matter of fact as the film used very few of the gags/funny lines from the stage show which could've easily been put in, and as such just wasn't as funny as the slickly cut trailers made it out to be. Some of the scenes really dragged when they were talking and made me want another music video style scene instead, which is not a good thing as it means the plot felt boring (and there isn't much of it to begin with).

Some changes I just didn't understand... Why didn't they use some of the original customs (particularly Drew and Sherrie), the original boy band name (Z Guiizz didn't really work for me), Sherrie being an actress, etc.

Characters were underused (mayor, Constance, etc) and didn't have any background, in particular Justice which was really odd considering the fact that she was still part of the group numbers singing about how tough her life is when the audience has no idea why this is the case. However, new addition Patricia did have proper development and while I severely missed the Germans and Regina, she was a good addition to the film.

Despite what most have said before me I loved Russell Brand's performance as Lonny, but I thought Alec Baldwin was sadly really poor as Dennis. I agree that their duet seemed to come out of the blue (despite Russell spoiling this in the introduction) but as a fan of the stage show I did love it and the montage they used which is very similar to the musical. And yes I cheered for them at the end, though it was very odd they actually went there considering the actors are not allowed to perform it that way on Broadway (here in the UK they are a bit more lenient).

The stage show also brands itself to be aimed at a male audience that normally wouldn't go see a musical where the film on the other hand is very very queer (I'm not saying it's a bad thing but it is a departure from the initial aim of the show, very likely thanks to director Adam Shankman).

Some things I really liked: A cameo by [spoiler]Constantine Maroulis!! He's the original Drew from the Broadway production. (of course it would've been nice had they been able to slot in the original UK Drew too, but alas,[/spoiler] slickly cut music videos (particularly Any Way You Want It), the additional songs, the extended Dennis and Lonny scene (yes, really) and the bits of "homage" to the stage show such as a scarf around a mike.

I'm very torn with how to rate the film (not taking into consideration the fab premiere experience and cast introduction) on the hand I want to rate it a 7, but on the other it was better than a lot of other films I saw this year which I rated an 8 or higher. So I'll give it a 8.5 for now which likely be adjusted upon second viewing.


Oh and I ended up with 9 bags of chocolate I gave my friend one but she wouldn't take more...

[canadian_turtle]

Anyone going to Rock of Ages at the O2 tonight? Keep an eye on the Cineworld Twitter account:

"Cineworld O2 is closed due to disruptions with the water supply, we're hoping to be back open in the next few hours. News as we get it."

[Beate]

"Rock of Ages is about as much fun as you can have in a multiplex cinema with your pants on"
http://networkedblogs.com/yC60s

[prettyxcool]

I enjoyed the premiere and the film mainly because I liked the songs. Tom Cruise was a surprise, I don't normally like him but he was surprisingly good in this. Would have liked more of Mary J Blige. Russell Brand is Russell Brand again.

It is a shame as usual those who have premiere tickets get ushered into the cinema whilst those outside, get Tom's autograph and photos! I supposed we had a good introduction of the cast from the director and heard the cast speak for a change. I also recorded it.

8/10