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Drumline (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:81
Fresh:65
Rotten:16
Average Rating:6.7/10
Consensus: Essentially a sports movie with drums, the energetic Drumline somehow manages to make the familiar seem fresh.
Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Charles Stone III's crowd-pleasing drama spotlights the previously unheralded world of university marching bands--more specifically, the cutthroat world that energizes Southern black campuses.... Charles Stone III's crowd-pleasing drama spotlights the previously unheralded world of university marching bands--more specifically, the cutthroat world that energizes Southern black campuses. Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) is a Harlem teenager who receives a full scholarship to attend Atlanta A&T University based on his excellent percussion talents. However, making the transition from hip-hop street drumming to the drumline of the school's legendary marching band is more challenging than Miles expected. For one, the band director, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), is determined to reclaim the national championship using old-school tactics, even though his traditional beliefs appear to be leaving A&T in the dust. And then there is Sean (Leonard Roberts), the current drum leader, who is threatened by Devon's skills and frustrated by his fierce individuality. These antagonistic forces, as well as the addition of a cheerleading love interest (Zoe Saldana), combine to test Devon's previously unshakeable confidence. As the season builds toward the BET Big Southern Classic and a showdown with rival Morris Brown University, Devon must swallow his pride and learn to be a team player if he wants his band to win the championship. DRUMLINE proves that any subject can make for an invigorating work of entertainment, if handled properly. [More]
Starring: Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Orlando Jones, Leonard Roberts
Starring: Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Orlando Jones, Leonard Roberts, GQ, Jason Weaver, Earl C. Poitier, J. Anthony Brown
Director: Charles Stone
Director: Charles Stone
Screenwriter: Tina Gordon Chism, Shawn Schepps
Producer: Wendy Finerman, Tim Bourne, Jody Gerson
Composer: John Powell
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for Drumline
Sure, you can say this marches to a similar beat as Bring It On, but even if it is formulaic, Drumline is fun.
As you watch the drummers pound out their polyrhythms and twirl their sticks, you may find it hard to stay in your seat.
The film's saving grace is the brilliant execution of its march numbers.
More than compensating for the formula script are Drumline's tuneful glory and driving rhythms, along with a pulsating vitality that never flags.
In the film, snappily directed by Charles Stone 3d, the marching bands' duels are as fun as the cheerleader wars in Bring It On.
Charles Stone III is a craftsman with brains and taste, an instinctive sense of where to put the camera and the discipline not to belabor scenes.
This is such a high-energy movie where the drumming and the marching are so excellent, who cares if the story's a little weak.
Drumline ably captures the complicated relationships in a marching band.
Maybe you've seen most of these things before. But you've rarely seen them in such an exuberant setting.
By the time its otherwise paint-by-numbers story reaches a finale, Drumline has made band seem cool -- no small feat in the wake of American Pie 2.
...though the movie does overstay its welcome, it's never boring and the majority of the music is infectiously catchy...
A fun story for the whole family -- with some very good lessons about growing up.
Drumline has got the beat. This terrific film will have your feet tapping in movie-going joy.
Amazing! A college story that works even without vulgarity, sex scenes, and cussing!
With its young cast and an appealing balance of uplifting attitude and irreverent humor, Drumline has the potential to be a sleeper hit.
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