Bandslam (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Kyle F

  
  Bandslam is clever, funny, charming, and insightful, and Gaelan Connell is a surprisingly charming lead, but it suffers from some odd inconsistencies in its story and tone. There's also an unhealthy dose of that teen musical goofiness we see too often.

• Bently L

  
  Since "Sucker Punch" released today, I decided to review another film that stars that hot hottie, Vanessa Hudgens. "Bandslam" is one of the most poorly marketed films whose trailers looked like it was only going to appeal to Disney Channel's demographic. And… More
  Since "Sucker Punch" released today, I decided to review another film that stars that hot hottie, Vanessa Hudgens. "Bandslam" is one of the most poorly marketed films whose trailers looked like it was only going to appeal to Disney Channel's demographic. And this is coming from the studio that made the first "Twilight" look like it was going to be awesome. No wonder why it flopped upon its release. Not to mention that it was going up against "District 9" on its opening weekend. I eventually caught the film on DVD and I was proved wrong! The plot follows a kid named Will who is bullied and alienated in his high school. After him and his mom move to New Jersey, he meets a weird girl named Sa5m (the "5" is silent), who is played by ever-attractive Vanessa Hudgens, and a popular girl named Charlotte, played by Alison Michalka. Their school is participating in a Battle of the Bands competition known as Bandslam. Will is a music geek so he forms his own ska band to participate in the competition. "Bandslam" is not predictable tween-targeted garbage. This movie is actually too sosphisticated for tweens. It features smart, witty dialogue and like what the RT critical consensus says, it avoids cliches. It also avoids predictability. It also adds a good blend of coming-of-age drama. But the drama is not too edgy, folks. So don't expect Vanessa Hudgens playing a depressed, knocked up teen. "Bandslam" is a movie for music lovers like me. If you love classic rock from the 70's and 80's than this is for you! And if you're a Gleek, give this a watch as well. Heads-up for all the "High School Musical" haters: nobody bursts into song in this. This is a film you either like of love. As for me, I really liked it. "I do feel like Clark Kent."

• Nicki M

  
  This has good reviews, but I couldn't say it did a lot for me, really. I was bored within half hour of it. It is nice to see Lisa Kudrow in something new and I am sure this film is streets ahead of High School Musical etc, but I still felt I had seen it all before and done… More
  This has good reviews, but I couldn't say it did a lot for me, really. I was bored within half hour of it. It is nice to see Lisa Kudrow in something new and I am sure this film is streets ahead of High School Musical etc, but I still felt I had seen it all before and done better. Also, I didn't really like the music. For supposedly "cool" teens with good taste in music, it sure sounded like everything else out there. I couldn't help comparing this unfavorably to Scott Pilgrim. (even though that is unfair and this is aimed at a younger audience). Maybe I am just too old and have seen too many movies. Honestly , it is not awful, but due to the good reviews, I did expect something more.

• paul s

  
  In a parellel universe there was a film called "School of Rock", where a bunch of kids get together and form a band. While that film had its moments (in spite of that Black charactor who I'm still wondering how he gets movies), this film, while ensconced in a similar… More
  In a parellel universe there was a film called "School of Rock", where a bunch of kids get together and form a band. While that film had its moments (in spite of that Black charactor who I'm still wondering how he gets movies), this film, while ensconced in a similar millieau, has much more going for it in the way of charactor development and acting. The trio shown on the promo picture, Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens and Gaelen Connell all more than hold their own in this piece, in spite of some questionable scenes in the middle of the film. Also in the cast is Lisa Kudrow as Connell's mother, who does a pro job while looking a bit long in the tooth for the role. What makes this film is the frest angles presented to a well worn tale. Connell's charactor comes to a new school, gets adopted by the most popular girl in school (Michalka), while connecting with a loner type (Hudgens). Without revealing too much, Connell ends up, due to his obsessive knowledge of things musical, as MIchalka's band manager. There are twists and turns aplenty, and some nice scenes of the creative process (ska in particular). The main misstep occures after a fine scene where the popular, older and wiser Michalka gives Connell a lesson in kissing. To follow this scene with a very clumsy one in which Connell tries to make an advance on Hudgens played utterly false, failing to amuse or entertain. The film then heads down some predictable territory as a battle of the bands looms; along with some personal revelations and mea culpas that we've all seen before, but are handled here with an earnest freshness that keeps the boat afloat. Anyhow, you've got to love a film that not only draws from Bowie circa Ziggy Stardust, but also uses Lou Reed's tune Femme Fetale with the Velvet Underground as a bit of backround music.

• KJ P

  
  Witty, Emotional, and Funny! Bandslam soars above all the movies in it's genre. It has it's own certain style that grabs your attention and never let's go. When a sad moment come on the horizon, it is eventually saved by a happy moment that will put the biggest smile on… More
  Witty, Emotional, and Funny! Bandslam soars above all the movies in it's genre. It has it's own certain style that grabs your attention and never let's go. When a sad moment come on the horizon, it is eventually saved by a happy moment that will put the biggest smile on your face. It is an amazing story of friendship and music. I loved Bandslam, and I'm going to be honest, it's better than I expected. In fact it is brilliant storytelling. Vanessa Hudgens and Alyson Michalka are amazing here and even Gaelen Connell who is an up and coming star from this film, is a decent actor himself. This is pure teen film with no swearing, but just enough laughter and emotion to keep adults interested. Bandslam ROCKS!

• Cynthia S

  
  Definitely a feel-good, fun movie.

• Red L

  
  This is a pretty good feel-good movie. A school outcast gets to direct a couple of pretty classmates in their band. In typical feel-good fashion, they overcome all sorts of adversity and do will in the NY state school band competition - Bandslam.

• Cassie H

  
  Really good movie. I enjoyed it a lot :)

• Bannan i

  
  It was cute, I'll give it that much...it's not another highschool bullshit just 'cause whatsherface is in it. LOL. Honest, and the kid from Hung is in it! xD

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  CAST: Gaelen Connell, Lisa Kudrow, Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Ryan Donawho, Scott Porter, Charlie Saxton, Tim Jo DIRECTED BY: Todd Graff SUMMARY: When gifted singer-songwriter Charlotte Banksasks new kid in town Will Burton to manage her fledgling rock band, she appears… More
  CAST: Gaelen Connell, Lisa Kudrow, Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Ryan Donawho, Scott Porter, Charlie Saxton, Tim Jo DIRECTED BY: Todd Graff SUMMARY: When gifted singer-songwriter Charlotte Banksasks new kid in town Will Burton 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 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. 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? MY THOUGHTS: "I am so shocked... Why? Because I had no desire what so ever to see this movie that is accompanied with Disney kids. First thought when I seen the trailer: " this is gonna be crap " thoughts after seeing the movie: " totally wrong ". To be fair to the Disney starlets I have never seen a movie with them in it before. I believe at least, if I have they obviously weren't memorable. But I really liked this movie.. I am a big music junkie, so I was set on at least hearing some good tunes. Well the movie was fun, entertaining, had a decent story-line, and surprisingly funny. I mean like LOL funny. The kids are super talented. Even the girls from Disney. They're not the greatest singer's, but they can definitely sing. If you thought this was just another attempt for another HSM to be pushed down your throat, believe me its not. It's pretty good. Lisa Kudrow makes me laugh in anything she's in and doesn't disappoint in this flick either. She's one of the reasons you will laugh in this movie. Give it a chance."

• Jose C

  
  A pretty good small film. Don't expect your typical High School Musical flick though. This film has brains. The cast is fun to watch, the dialogue is smart and the soundtrack is perfect. I recommend it for anyone who ever wanted to be in a band. A descent effort, too bad it… More
  A pretty good small film. Don't expect your typical High School Musical flick though. This film has brains. The cast is fun to watch, the dialogue is smart and the soundtrack is perfect. I recommend it for anyone who ever wanted to be in a band. A descent effort, too bad it bombed at the box office...

• Michael S

  
  I know what your thinking: "BANDSLAM looks like a third-rate SCHOOL OF ROCK clone with a splash of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL thrown in for good measure. Hell, it even stars Vanessa Hudgens! It sounds like a sad attempt at cashing in off the popularity of the two previously mentioned… More
  I know what your thinking: "BANDSLAM looks like a third-rate SCHOOL OF ROCK clone with a splash of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL thrown in for good measure. Hell, it even stars Vanessa Hudgens! It sounds like a sad attempt at cashing in off the popularity of the two previously mentioned films. There's NO way this can be good!" You'd be very wrong. BANDSLAM is actually a smart and refreshingly sly teen film. A huge suprise to be sure!

• Deb S

  
  Bandslam is the story of Will (Gaelan Connell), an unpopular kid who lacks friends and a social life, so when his mom gets a new job, he's glad to leave his loner lifestyle behind because of a shady past and hopefully make a new start. Upon moving to a new town, he meets Sa5m… More
  Bandslam is the story of Will (Gaelan Connell), an unpopular kid who lacks friends and a social life, so when his mom gets a new job, he's glad to leave his loner lifestyle behind because of a shady past and hopefully make a new start. Upon moving to a new town, he meets Sa5m (the 5 is silent played by Vanessa Hudgens), and becomes her partner in the class project. She tells him of their school's Bandslam competition, a competition for local bands to win a record deal. Will is approached by Charlotte (Alyson Michalka), a popular student who recognizes Will's extraordinary knowledge of music and recruits him to be her band's manager. The rest of the story revolves around how Will starts fitting into socially and making friends. At the end you're a firm believer in dreams coming true, realize that being honest and kind are preferable traits and love conquers all in the end. Aly Mashalka gave a good performance as Charlotte and Vanessa Hudgens did a wonderful job as Sa5m. I also loved the David Bowie cameo and Lisa Kudrow gives good support as his over protective mother. A pleasant surprise!

• Yinalí R

  
  When you first see Bandslam, you may think that it's just your average high school preppy kind of movie. I am here to tell you that you are very mistaken. It is a plot well done, the characters have an amazing bond and chemistry that it just makes it work; it makes the movie what… More
  When you first see Bandslam, you may think that it's just your average high school preppy kind of movie. I am here to tell you that you are very mistaken. It is a plot well done, the characters have an amazing bond and chemistry that it just makes it work; it makes the movie what it is. The music sounded great, very well made, so please just don't underestimate it.

• Jim W

  
  Band Slam is a good movie for anyone that likes music. It's about an outcast named Will (Gaelan Connell) who finds himself as the manager of a popular girl named Charlotte's band (Alson Michalka). He must get the band ready for a band competition named Band Slam. The… More
  Band Slam is a good movie for anyone that likes music. It's about an outcast named Will (Gaelan Connell) who finds himself as the manager of a popular girl named Charlotte's band (Alson Michalka). He must get the band ready for a band competition named Band Slam. The movie has a bright young cast and some of the songs are catchy. Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights) though looks a little older to be playing Charlotte's ex b/f, who's jealous of their friendship. I still like Porter as an actor though and I can't say he was bad in the movie. I also liked Lisa Kudrow) as Will's mother who's creeped out by the drummer (Ryan Donowho) that has a crush on her.

• Laurence C

  
  A charm. If Bandslam's marketing campaign hyped it as yet another factory-pressed Disney Channel singalong torture show, I think most viewers would be caught off-guard by how sincere and authentic it truly is. Really, it's nothing more than a sweet, genial teen movie with a… More
  A charm. If Bandslam's marketing campaign hyped it as yet another factory-pressed Disney Channel singalong torture show, I think most viewers would be caught off-guard by how sincere and authentic it truly is. Really, it's nothing more than a sweet, genial teen movie with a rock'n'roll edge and no real virtuosity or depth, but boy, does it get the notes right. Perhaps it is an everpresent penchant for 70s and 80s rock classics; perhaps it is the hugely likeable characters that populate this ultra-familiar narrative; perhaps it is the triumphant spontaneousness of two of the lead performers (that would be Connell and Michalka; Hudgens, though skilled stage-wise, is too inexpressive are artificial to inspire praise). I'm not sure what it is, actually, but it makes those usual cliches and the inevitable happy ending go down very smoothly. Bandslam even succeeds in evoking teenage sexuality and its anxieties with a PG rating-- really, there is just so much to appreciate here that all resistance is futile. You might want to consider checking this one out eventually, if safe but smart teen movies have a chance of clicking on your side.

• Brett W

  
  David Bowie, eh? Hopefully he appears on stage in a magical puff of smoke, wearing his Labyrinth codpiece, and interrupts Vanessa Hudgens' Guitar Hero tournament with a special rendition of "I'm Afraid of Americans".

• Miriam K

  
  Took my daughters to see it :( Don't bother!

• Chris M

  
  A surprisingly enjoyable family film.

Read all 19 featured audience ratings