Tom Cruise Rocks For Some, Ruins Film For Others

Tom Cruise has played a lot of varied roles over his career, but something about his latest one is capturing a lot of buzz in the movie world, and quite a bit of it is good.

As Stacee Jaxx, an 80s rock god who is an amalgamation of Axl Rose and Stephen Tyler, Cruise is stealing the show for a lot of critics, even though his story isnt the central one in the film. The moviewhich is based on the hugely successful 2009 musicalfocuses on two young kids trying to make it in the big city who ultimately fall in lovea tale as old as time. But those who have seen the film are giving Tom Cruise praise for breathing life into a storyline thats been done a million times before, saying he carries the tale and leaves the audience wanting more every time hes offscreen.

A karaoke musical in which almost everybody bursts into FM anthems at the drop of a hat.by rights Rock of Ages shouldnt come off as a one-man show. But its an uneven fight, and you might find yourself itching for the fast-forward button whenever Cruise is off-screen, writes CNNs Tom Charity.

Cruise even sings in the film, although thats nothing new for the actor; he lent his pipes to characters in Top Gun and Magnolia, as well. But this role is a bit different, as it requires Cruise to create an entire persona around the voice. And while several think he did an admirable job, others are having a difficult time seeing past his action-man persona.and the musical aspect of the film.