Bandslam (2009)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Bandslam is an intelligent teen film that avoids teen film cliches, in an entertaining package of music and coming-of-age drama.
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Cast
as Charlotte Banks
as Will Burton
as Ben Wheatly
as Karen
as Sa5m
as Himself
as Basher
as Bug
as Omar
as Basher
as Kim Lee (Keyboards)
as Irene (Cello)
as Dylan Dyer (Glory Dogs Guitar)
as Megan
as Ms. Wittenberg
as Kyra 17-1
as Kyra's Friend
as Kid Talking About Miles
as Rapping Boy 1
as Rapping Boy 2
as Slapping Girl
as Rory
as Mr. Berry
as Glue Boy
as Glory Dogs Bass
as Glory Dogs Drummer
as Glory Dogs Saxophone
as Burning Hotels Guitar/Vocals
as Burning Hotels Guitar/Vocals
as Burning Hotels Bass/Vocals
as Burning Hotels Drummer
as Sa5m's Mom
as New Art Teacher
as Bandslam MC
as Stage Manager
as Kid at Lunch in Cincinnati
as Scott Donnelly
as 1st Kid
as 2nd Kid
as Staightfork Guitar/Vocals
as Straightfork Guitar/Vocals
as Staightfork Bass/Vocals
as Straightfork Drummer
as Hip-Hop Group "Zeale"
as Hip-Hop Group "Phranchyze"
as Hip-Hop Group "Candice"
as Hip-Hop Group "DJ"
as ICGO Saxophone
as ICGO Trombone
as ICGO Trumpet
as The Daze Guitar/Vocals
as The Daze Bass
as The Daze Drummer
as Art Class Girl
as Screaming Teacher
as Dewey Kid
as Rock-N-Roller
as Screaming Fan
as Charlotte's Aunt
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Critic Reviews for Bandslam
All Critics (98) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (79) | 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.
Audience Reviews for Bandslam
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.
Super Reviewer
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."
Super Reviewer
Bandslam Quotes
| Sa5m: | Do you ever heard a stutter laugh? HA HA HA |
| Sa5m: | Do you ever heard a stutter laugh? |
| Sa5m: | We need another minute... |
| Sa5m: | We need another minute. |
| Will Burton: | We don't have another minute...! |
| Will Burton: | We don't have another minute! |
| Sa5m: | WE NEED...ANOTHER....MINUTE!!! |
| Sa5m: | WE NEED ANOTHER MINUTE! |
| Charlotte Banks: | Hey I'm Charlotte. Nice to meet you. |
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