Rock Of Ages (5/10)

Adam Shankman's style used for Rock Of Ages didn't sit well with me. It's a musical that has a very loose way storytelling.

The singing and performing parts jumped in and out very jaggedly and were more of a distraction from the story, or vice versa, whichever you preferred more.

The subplot of Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin was quite horribly done as the two shared no chemistry and were unconvincing. The others such as Bryan Cranston, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman and Catherine Zeta Jones were just adequate in their one-dimensional roles.

The two leads clearly started with a disadvantage. Julianne Hough, who was the newbie and needed more experience, had more screen presence; one of the reasons why she went from dancing to singing to acting. Playing opposite her was Diego Boneta, who didn't have that much of a leading man onscreen charisma.

Only Tom Cruise was the clear standout. He embodied the role completely until nothing of himself was left. He was hilarious and magnetic at the same time.

Through the 2-hour running time, it felt like more than half of it were singing. Song after song after song, one rock anthem after another. After a while, some songs were just tiring. None of the songs stood out. No version of any song was up to the standard of the original. Although, surprisingly, Cruise's singing was not horrible.