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Drumline

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Drumline (2002)

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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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Drumline

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
12/16/02
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sure, you can say this marches to a similar beat as Bring It On, but even if it is formulaic, Drumline is fun.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
12/13/02
E! Online

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
05/28/03
Newsday

As you watch the drummers pound out their polyrhythms and twirl their sticks, you may find it hard to stay in your seat.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
12/13/02
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Brimming with energy and spirit.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
12/13/02
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

The film's saving grace is the brilliant execution of its march numbers.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
03/31/03
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

More than compensating for the formula script are Drumline's tuneful glory and driving rhythms, along with a pulsating vitality that never flags.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
12/16/02
Bruce Feld
Bruce Feld
Film Journal International

In the film, snappily directed by Charles Stone 3d, the marching bands' duels are as fun as the cheerleader wars in Bring It On.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
12/13/02
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
01/10/03
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor
Salon.com

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.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
12/13/02
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

Drumline ably captures the complicated relationships in a marching band.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
12/13/02
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Maybe you've seen most of these things before. But you've rarely seen them in such an exuberant setting.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
12/13/02
Connie Ogle
Connie Ogle
Miami Herald

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.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
12/13/02
Dan Fazio
Dan Fazio
Citysearch

...though the movie does overstay its welcome, it's never boring and the majority of the music is infectiously catchy...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/01/03
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

A fun story for the whole family -- with some very good lessons about growing up.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
05/26/03
Diana Saenger
Diana Saenger
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Drumline has got the beat. This terrific film will have your feet tapping in movie-going joy.

Full Review Source: Sun Newspapers of Cleveland | comment Comment
12/12/02
Gerry Shamray
Gerry Shamray
Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
02/17/03
Guylaine Cadorette
Guylaine Cadorette
Hollywood.com

Amazing! A college story that works even without vulgarity, sex scenes, and cussing!

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
12/20/02
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

With its young cast and an appealing balance of uplifting attitude and irreverent humor, Drumline has the potential to be a sleeper hit.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
12/13/02
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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