Pump Up the Volume

1990, Drama, 1h 45m

37 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

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Pump Up the Volume Photos

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Movie Info

In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave radio. Broadcasting as "Hard Harry," Hunter uses his pirate radio show to rant against the injustices and hypocrisies taking place in the area, and in society in general. Hunter conceals his off-air identity, but a determined student (Samantha Mathis) discovers the truth, while Principal Creswood (Annie Ross) seeks to shut down Hunter once and for all.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Allan Moyle
  • Producer:
    Sandy Stern, Rupert Harvey
  • Writer:
    Allan Moyle
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $11.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    New Line Cinema
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby

Cast & Crew

Christian Slater
Mark Hunter (Hard Harry)
Samantha Mathis
Nora Diniro
Ellen Greene
Jan Emerson
Scott Paulin
Brian Hunter
Cheryl Pollak
Paige Woodward
Andy Romano
Murdock
Mimi Kennedy
Marla Hunter
Annie Ross
Loretta Creswood
Allan Moyle
Director
Allan Moyle
Screenwriter
Sandy Stern
Producer
Rupert Harvey
Producer
Syd Cappe
Executive Producer
Sara Risher
Executive Producer
Nicolas Stiliadis
Executive Producer
Walt Lloyd
Cinematography
Larry Bock
Film Editing
Janice Hampton
Film Editing
Cliff Martinez
Original Music
Judith Holstra
Casting
Josh McLaglen
First Assistant Director
Daniel R. Suhart
Second Assistant Director
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Pump Up the Volume

All Critics (37) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (7)
Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… Jason Bailey Flavorwire Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Lloyd Bradley Empire Magazine Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Rita Kempley Washington Post Full Review… Jas Keimig The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Full Review… Monica Dorenkamp OutWeek Full Review… Hal Lipper Tampa Bay Times Full Review… Walter Chaw Film Freak Central Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Brian Orndorf BrianOrndorf.com
View All Critic Reviews (37)

Audience Reviews for Pump Up the Volume

  • Feb 28, 2012
    Slater does it again, this catapults straight into my top 10 alongside 'Heathers' another Slater movie that I watche and while back and have been repeatedly watching since. This movie really speaks to me and I think what it has to say about youth still stands today: We're not ourselves, we live by other peoles standards, can't we just be free?
    Cameron S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 24, 2012
    A silly little Christian Slater movie. Actually I think the successful Christian Slater movies were the ones that kept him off the screen for most of the time. Christian is sad because his little pirate radio station was busted. Boo hoo.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • May 29, 2011
    Christian Slater then: raspy-voiced star of rebellious teen movies that were adored by adolescents and greeted indifferently by critics. Christian Slater now: raspy-voiced star of direct-to-video thrillers that have a shorter shelf life than the TV series he makes. On the plus side, teens and critics now agree with a shared indifference.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    Slater is so hot in this movie! This rebellious teen drama is full of both angst and celebration of being a teenager at the turn of the decade. I really loved it when I was a teen, and I highly recommend it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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