Rock fans may have approached Rock Of Ages with some cynicism this weekend, due to the casting of Tom Cruise in the lead role of fictional rock legend Stacee Jaxx. (And perhaps many fans didn’t approach the film – it opened in third place with just above a $15 million gross.)

Cruise took singing and dancing lessons to prepare for the film. But did it work? CBS Local spoke with Phil Collen and Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister right before the film opened to get their take on his performance. After all, who better to judge if the actor could portray a rocker than guys who have lived the life?

Phil Collen’s Tropic Thunder comment refers to the over-the-top studio executive, Les Grossman, Cruise played in that film. In interviews, Rock Of Ages director Adam Shankman has said that after seeing Cruise in that Tropic Thunder, he knew he could play the flamboyant rocker Stacee Jaxx.

Def Leppard kick off their “Rock of Ages” tour with Poison and Lita Ford Wednesday night in Utah.

– Brian Ives, CBS Local

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