Rock of Ages: Extended Cut – Sunday 1st February 2026

I first saw ‘Rock of Ages’ as a theatre show in the West End, and loved it. So I was excited to see the movie when it came out, especially as it starred the legend that is Tom Cruise (in a musical!).
The movie was met with harsh criticism, trashed by critics and audiences alike, but I liked it!
Fast forward over a decade later, and I felt like watching it again…

I really liked it!

First and foremost, the songs in it are all bangers (based on existing ‘rock’ classics), which is what you need most from a musical. Sure, the characters are cliché, but ALL the actors do a great a job in bringing them to life, and you can see that they’re enjoying themselves, because doing an all singing, all dancing musical, is FUN!

What I enjoyed most, was that at the centre of it all, the film is a love story, and who can resist a good love story?

I remember first seeing ‘Julianne Hough’ in ‘Dancing with the Stars’, and she absolutely had that ‘star quality’ of looks, personality and talent, so you could see why Hollywood would come knocking on her door. In this film, she has top billing, which is something considering the amount of talent involved, and I have to say, she totally delivers; providing that ‘girl next door’, small town charm that every guy would fall for. It’s a shame she never really hit the heights of being a ‘major Hollywood star’.

As for ‘Sir Tom Cruise’? I love the guy, but I have to say, he was kind of miscast. He just didn’t have that ‘Rock Star’ mystique and presence that the role called for. He’s still good, as he always is, but his whole performance seemed ‘hammy’ and inauthentic.

In the stage show, ‘Stacie Jax’ (Tom’s character) was played by Russell Brand (who plays a lesser role in the movie), and he never actually makes an appearance! They cut to video clips of him, but he’s never on stage, which actually gives the character more mystique. In the movie, they obviously beefed up the role, as it’s Tom Cruise playing him, and the film almost becomes more about his character, instead of the two young lovers, which isn’t a good move. Maybe it was more so in the extended cut, vs. the theatrical cut, I can’t remember, but either way, they should have made him less of the focus.

All in all, I have nothing bad to say about the film. It was a damn good time! Great songs, great actors, a good love story, a fun vibe; what’s not to like?

It’s a good film!