Print Email to Friend| From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 9, Issue 26, Dated 30 June 2012

CULTURE & SOCIETY   SPOILERS AHEAD

Glee N’ Roll

By Mona J

Rock Of Ages DIRECTOR Adam Shankman STARRING Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Diego Boneta, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julianne Hough, and more ALSO READ The Truth Laid Bare Almost Feminist None for the Rowdy

WHAT MAKES a musical special is a spectacular opening number, which Rock of Ages doesn’t have. Instead, it has covers that strain at fabulous and mostly ballads instead of anthems. Yes, we know the staged schoolyard medleys of Glee have displaced the oldschool rebellion of The Breakfast Club. But using a grand cast to cash in, is just not done. Also, Glee actually does covers well.

The movie shamelessly abuses its rockstar cast. Everybody is totally wasted, except Tom Cruise who reaches his Les Grossman (Tropic Thunder) heights — but Owen Wi lson already done it, brah (check Zoolander). Alec Baldwin and Ru ssell Brand are immune to bad writing but soul diva Mary J Blige’s entry is totally predictable.

The grand sets and choreography are pointless because the frame can find room only for the singing superstar’s face. Was the final cut a Guitar Hero playoff between agents, managers and the studio? The songs are at times a part of the narrative; at others according to some secret golden ratio for musical plots. It’s less log ical than Hindi films from ’90s. All prepped to cheer as you did with The Muppet Movie, Hairspray, even Mamma Mia!? YouTube Neil Patrick Harris’ 2011 Tony Awards opening number instead of buying a Rock of Ages ticket.