Full ‘Rock of Ages’ Trailer Goes For Hair-Rock Medley

Journey, Joan Jett, Poison, and Bon Jovi. What do these artists have in common? They're now music that middle-aged people grew up with. They're also featured in the trailer for 'Rock of Ages' the Adam Shankman-directed musical starring Malin Ackerman, Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Bryan Cranston, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Hough, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and one Mr. Tom Cruise.

The first thing that strikes us about this is that Tom Cruise is terrible casting. Cruise has never been very rock and roll - perhaps he can play against type, but he just screams "wrong." John Turturro once described him as a Kabuki actor, in that he's hard to believe he's playing anyone but Tom Cruise. Here he just seems to be playing dress up (maybe it works in context). The good news is the cast is mostly good, and when you've got Baldwin, Giamatti, and Cranston all in one place it can't be all bad, can it? The film looks very busy, which works when you've got strong performers, but it makes me wonder how interesting the leads (Bonetta and Hough) are going to be.

As someone who lived through the 1980's, 'Rock of Ages' has no appeal at all. It's not that the music is sacred, but having it done in a Broadway style robs the music of its driving force - its sex drive. Most of these songs are about sex, so what's the point in hearing them neutered. Maybe that's just us, and maybe the Hair-metal groupies of yesteryear are the Broadway musical fans of today.

Watch the new trailer for 'Rock of Ages' below.