Bandslam is a mix of the icky, the corny and the comic, but there’s no denying that it’s fun.
Comment
08/17/09
Bandslam (2009)
80
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:87
Fresh:70
Rotten:17
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: Bandslam is an intelligent teen film that avoids teen film cliches, in an entertaining package of music and coming-of-age drama.
Theatrical Release:12-08-2009
Synopsis: Disney Channel superstars Vanessa Anne Hudgens (High School Musical 1 & 2, High School Musical 3) and Alyson Michalka (Phil of the Future, pop duo Aly and AJ) join Gaelan Connell (Chocolat), Scott... [More]
Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow
Director: Todd Graff
Reviews for Bandslam
A witty, touching, cleverly plotted film with excellent music and it made me feel for the first time in years that I'd like to be an American teenager.
08/17/09
The characterisations are just a little unorthodox and the whole thing, despite a soggy middle during which nothing much happens, goes with an above average swing.
08/17/09
‘Bandslam’ is far from exceptional, but is saved by decent character development, a cluster of engaging performances and several amusing deadpan moments.
08/14/09
Top CriticImplausible, formulaic, too ponderous for young kids, not cool enough for teenagers and yet strangely hard to resist. File away under extremely guilty pleasure.
08/14/09
Top CriticA bizarre tween movie vehicle for the High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens that gradually morphs into a two-hour homily on the perils of adolescence.
08/14/09
Top CriticThe movie's problem is the division of loyalties between these two female leads, which fatally divides and muddles the dramatic focus.
08/14/09
Top CriticTodd Graff’s coming-of-age musical comedy may hardly be original, but the secret is all in the mix: sweet enough to please the kids, while acerbically downbeat enough to keep the attention of any accompanying adults.
08/14/09
An immensely enjoyable, if predictable, ride.
08/14/09
A teen movie that strikes all the right chords.
08/14/09
Whether your nine-year-old niece will care about that is moot – but she’ll definitely resent the poor ratio of musical numbers to clunky, contrived emotional scenes.
08/14/09
Laugh-out-loud funny, with less sugar and more teen spirit than the likes of High School Musical.
08/14/09
The movie is too sophisticated in its first hour for preteens, and much too tragically unhip in its second hour for the older teenage audience that might appreciate its pithier wisecracks.
08/14/09
Like a 12-year-old playing their first guitar, it lacks polish and goes on too long, but you can't knock the enthusiasm. Great musical finale, too.
08/14/09
Graff has wonderfully captured not just the emotional havoc of adolescence but its passionate belief in music as a life-changing force.
08/14/09
Surprisingly tolerable teen fare with hints of the wit and warmth that the late John Hughes once brought to the genre.
08/14/09
An enjoyable teen comedy with likeable characters, a witty script, strong performances and some great tunes – this is the film the High School Musical movies should have been.
08/14/09
It's perfect for families, but never patronising. Sassy, but not saucy. It's the Missing Link between wholesome kiddie fare and 15-rated smut like Superbad.
08/14/09
Surprisingly watchable despite the formulaic teen format.
08/13/09
Top CriticGraff ... stirs in some terrific moments along the way that subvert the genre just a little bit.
08/12/09
Latest News for Bandslam
August 13, 2009:
Critics Consensus: District 9 is Certified Fresh
This week at the movies, we've got an alien nation (District 9, starring Jason Cope and Sharlto Copley); a high school musical (Bandslam, starring Gaelan Connell and Vanessa... More...
August 13, 2009:
Box Office Guru Preview: District 9 Invades Over Crowded Frame
With summer almost out of gas, studios toss five more contenders into the ring in hopes of catching moviegoers that just haven't had their share of multiplex entertainment yet.... More...
August 10, 2009:
Updated: The New Moon Teaser Trailer Teaser; Is 14 Seconds Enough for Fans?
It's one thing to announce a trailer debut and have fans furiously mark their calendars, DVRs and web browsers at the ready. But when a studio can cause a frenzy by announcing a... More...
July 13, 2009:
Check out 8 Bandslam video clips and interviews with Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell, and Lisa Kudrow 
More...
More Movies
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds