Put Your Lighters Up for the Ultimate Celebration of Rock

_{Critics rating: 4 1/2 stars}

_{Director: Adam Shankman}

_{Starring: Tom Cruise, Diego Boneta, Julliane Hough, Russel Brand, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones...}

A few weeks ago I wrote a preview for this musical. Seemingly, I expected a lot from it. Boy, did it deliver! "Awestruck" was the word which described my mental state as I enjoyed this thoroughly entertaining film which was also surprisingly realistic for a musical. But the thing that will make me cherish this movie forever is definitely Tom Cruise's performance. Perfect acting, dialogues in place, unmistakably fine expressions - one of the most wonderful portrayals of a character in modern cinema.

Shankman, known for showing amazing stories through his choreography, is wonderful. The story starts when country-fresh singer Sherrie (Hough) and barman/aspiring singer Drew (Boneta) meet on an LA night at the strip outside rock hotspot Bourbon - and hence ensues a love story, which is -I admit- weird at times, but sweet enough. Boneta's always proved that he's as good an actor as a singer. Hough's performance is okay, but let's just say she won't win accolades like she did for Burlesque.

Like every aspiring singer, their role-model is rock superstar Stacce Jaxx (Tom Cruise). Cruise's portrayal is one you'd nominate for prestigious awards. He's managed a perfect performance as Jaxx, a perverted, sleazy, intoxicated but good-at-heart legendary rocker. Cruise is apparently paired alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, though they barely share five minutes of screen time. Zeta-Jones though justifies her Oscar-winner stature with a fine portrayal of an obnoxious and in-control mayor's wife, the villain.

Alec Baldwin and Russel Brand play the club owners and share fine chemistry with the best puns of the movie coming from them.

I'd like to say it again: Rock of Ages is one of those very few films which will become an instant-favourite of all critics and audiences. Oscar material - all these years of analyzing movies tells me. It is definitely a must-watch and the perfect summer musical - a celebration of rock, if something ever was!