Rock of Ages Directed by: Adam Shankman Starring: Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Alec Baldwin Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: June 15, 2012
TRAILER SCORE: 5/10
Thoughts by TSR: I don’t know, you guys. I’m still just not feeling this one. This trailer focuses slightly more on Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, something that makes me like it a bit more than the earlier trailer, but I’m still struggling to see anything all that appealing otherwise. I've softened a bit to the point that it's likely my adoration of musicals will lead me to see Rock of Ages, but my expectations will be nonexistent.
Other than the fun look of Malin Ackerman’s character, the only things I really enjoy deal with Tom Cruise. The “Hey Man” bit made me chuckle, but the rest of the humor – mostly one-liners from Baldwin – fall flat. As far as the musical numbers go, they all feel like nothing more than overproduced covers. I suppose that is exactly what they are, but there just isn’t any bite in the short looks we’re given. Perhaps I’d get a kick out of it if I liked this kind of music more. I will say that after the minor disappointment of not seeing Cruise sing at all in the first trailer, it is kind of fun to see him doing Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.” It’s just as glossy as the rest, but as a Cruise fan it’s nice to see him having a good time.
The things I enjoy (Cruise) are greatly outnumbered by the things I don’t (pretty much everything else). It would thrill me if this ends up being a fun, energetic love letter to the '80s, but after these two less than desirable trailers I’m just not convinced.