If you can’t stop listening to those catchy rock hits that sound way better on vinyl than anything else from the 70′s, then Rock of Ages is the next must-see movie that should be topping your list for this summer. Any major Journey fans would be excited to see this “small town girl” and “a city boy” trying to chase their dreams of musical stardom in the fast-paced, constantly changing and very competitive atmosphere of LA in the heyday of Arena Rock N’ Roll.
When these two young aspiring musicians meet, the audience can feel the coy attraction of love at first sight. The the shy but bubbly demeanor of Sherrie Christian, played by Julianne Hough, mixed with the sweet but eager personality of Drew Boley, played by the adorable Diego Boneta, instantly endear you to the love story that ensues. When Drew manages to get Sherrie a job working with him at the Bourbon Room, the most popular Rock N’ Roll club on the Sunset Strip, their dreams start to take off together.
With Catherine Zeta Jones playing the wife of the Los Angeles mayor who is bent on purifying the city and therefore erasing Rock N’ Roll from the Sunset Strip, the Bourbon Room has to rely on Stacee Jaxx, played by Tom Cruise, to bring in a crowd big enough to keep this club, and the Rock scene of LA, alive. Stacee, who got his first big break in the Bourbon Room, has since launched into the realm of Rock N’ Roll history and infamy. The club’s existence is perched precariously between a raging success and utter disaster, with only Stacee Jaxx to determine the outcome. Known as the most volatile performing musician, Stacee is cause for much nail biting on the end of the club owner and workers as they await his arrival and performance. When he actually plays the show, Drew suspects Sherrie of sleeping with Stacee and breaks off their relationship. This concert launches Drew’s career, but in a direction that he never expected. Now, alone in LA, both Drew and Sherrie have to discover what they are willing to do to achieve their dreams.
Not only did this movie have incredible song choices with vocalists whose execution maintained the integrity of the style of the Broadway show, it also did the gritty Rock N’ Roll vibe of the original songs justice too. Whether you are a music fan, or just simply interesting in the great plot line, you will not leave this movie theater disappointed.
