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Bandslam is an intelligent teen film that avoids teen film cliches, in an entertaining package of music and coming-of-age drama.
All Critics (100) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (81) | Rotten (19) | DVD (3)
There is really just a lot to like here.
These are characters that make mistakes, they redeem themselves, and they grow throughout the course of the film.
Bandslam is hardly the definition of a great movie, but it is pleasant and bright and doesn't insult its audience's intelligence. And that's as rare and welcome as a well-crafted three-minute pop song.
Tidy, heartfelt direction by Todd Graff (Camp); astute song references; and a David Bowie cameo transcend the formula underpinnings and keep Bandslam buoyant, gratifying and, yes, rocking.
The movie has a few good tunes and some charming comic dash, at least at first.
Bandslam consistently exceeds current teen-flick standards thanks to its snarky humour, its strong musical sequences and its ability to convey the excitement the characters feel both about performing and forming new friendships.
Surprisingly, it's Vanessa Hudgens who brings the film to life, creating an original and believable brooding teen.
A message that never gets old: On stage or in high-school hallways, sometime it's the losers that turn out to be the real winners.
Fun without too much camp.
What keeps Bandslam afloat is the way its sweet moments find weird ways of stepping into convention.
Though it wears out its welcome as it teeters rather than rocks toward the finish line, there is something inherently enticing in the old "let's put on a show" formula it utilizes.
The music is the movie's best feature, but even that's not much...
Witty, Emotional, and Funny! Bandslam soars above all the movies in it's genre. It has it's own certain style that grabs your attention and never let's go. When a sad moment come on the horizon, it is eventually saved by a happy moment that will put the biggest smile on your face. It is an amazing story of friendship and music. I loved Bandslam, and I'm going to be honest, it's better than I expected. In fact it is brilliant storytelling. Vanessa Hudgens and Alyson Michalka are amazing here and even Gaelen Connell who is an up and coming star from this film, is a decent actor himself. This is pure teen film with no swearing, but just enough laughter and emotion to keep adults interested. Bandslam ROCKS!
Super Reviewer
Bandslam is clever, funny, charming, and insightful, and Gaelan Connell is a surprisingly charming lead, but it suffers from some odd inconsistencies in its story and tone. There's also an unhealthy dose of that teen musical goofiness we see too often.
Since "Sucker Punch" released today, I decided to review another film that stars that hot hottie, Vanessa Hudgens. "Bandslam" is one of the most poorly marketed films whose trailers looked like it was only going to appeal to Disney Channel's demographic. And this is coming from the studio that made the first "Twilight" look like it was going to be awesome. No wonder why it flopped upon its release. Not to mention that it was going up against "District 9" on its opening weekend. I eventually caught the film on DVD and I was proved wrong! The plot follows a kid named Will who is bullied and alienated in his high school. After him and his mom move to New Jersey, he meets a weird girl named Sa5m (the "5" is silent), who is played by ever-attractive Vanessa Hudgens, and a popular girl named Charlotte, played by Alison Michalka. Their school is participating in a Battle of the Bands competition known as Bandslam. Will is a music geek so he forms his own ska band to participate in the competition. "Bandslam" is not predictable tween-targeted garbage. This movie is actually too sosphisticated for tweens. It features smart, witty dialogue and like what the RT critical consensus says, it avoids cliches. It also avoids predictability. It also adds a good blend of coming-of-age drama. But the drama is not too edgy, folks. So don't expect Vanessa Hudgens playing a depressed, knocked up teen. "Bandslam" is a movie for music lovers like me. If you love classic rock from the 70's and 80's than this is for you! And if you're a Gleek, give this a watch as well. Heads-up for all the "High School Musical" haters: nobody bursts into song in this. This is a film you either like of love. As for me, I really liked it. "I do feel like Clark Kent."
This has good reviews, but I couldn't say it did a lot for me, really. I was bored within half hour of it. It is nice to see Lisa Kudrow in something new and I am sure this film is streets ahead of High School Musical etc, but I still felt I had seen it all before and done better. Also, I didn't really like the music. For supposedly "cool" teens with good taste in music, it sure sounded like everything else out there. I couldn't help comparing this unfavorably to Scott Pilgrim. (even though that is unfair and this is aimed at a younger audience). Maybe I am just too old and have seen too many movies. Honestly , it is not awful, but due to the good reviews, I did expect something more.
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