There's no edge, but if you're young enough to not know the original version of I Want You To Want Me, Bandslam may have charms enough to tickle your tweenage heart.
Bandslam (2009)
Tomatometer
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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.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some thematic elements and mild language
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
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...
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 Porter (Speed Racer) and Lisa Kudrow ("Friends") in the music-driven comedy BANDSLAM. When gifted singer-songwriter CHARLOTTE BANKS (Michalka) asks new kid in town WILL BURTON (Connell) to manage her fledgling rock band, she appears to have just one goal in mind: go head-to-head against her egotistical musician ex-boyfriend, BEN (Porter), at the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.
Against all odds, their band develops a sound all its own with a real shot at success in the contest. Meanwhile, romance brews between Will and SA5M (Hudgens), who plays a mean guitar and has a voice to die for. When disaster strikes, it's time for the band to make a choice: Do they admit defeat, or face the music and stand up for what they believe in? --© Summit Entertainment
Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow
Starring: Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow, Scott Porter, David Bowie
Director: Todd Graff
Director: Todd Graff
Screenwriter: Josh A. Cagan, Todd Graff
Story: Josh A. Cagan
Producer: Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Reviews for Bandslam
Thanks to co-writer/director Todd Graff, who made the quite terrific Camp a few years back, Bandslam avoids being as clichéd as it sounds, and actually adds some real emotion and realistic drama.
Though not entirely naff, this teen film’s casting of Vanessa Hudgens is clearly an attempt to get High School Musical fans on board, but overall this is a charming effort.
Todd Graff's film is written with a desperate cleverness that clamors for attention over the brainless against-the-odds music-competition plot.
With its combination of high energy music, a terrific young cast (with the relatively youthful Lisa Kudrow as a mum) and its well structured screenplay, Bandslam is an above average coming of age dramatic comedy
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July 13, 2009:
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