Great movie for kids
Bandslam
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Music-driven teen flick is feel-good fun for parents, too.
Themes in this movie include: dating/crushes, family relationships, friendship, growing up, loss
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Bandslam was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that this music-filled high school flick stars tween favorites Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka,so expect interest from kids familiar with their Disney projects.Although it's rated PG and doesn't have any drinking/smoking, violence, or strong language, the movie deals with a few mature themes-- like bullying, an absentee father, a chronically ill parent, and theongoing quest for high school status. Be prepared for a few kisses, too (although nothing gratuitous), and product placement from the likes of Apple/iPod and Coke.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the bullying and social jockeying that occurs in high school. Does this movie offer an honest, accurate depiction of that? Kids: How do you deal with bullying and cliques?
- Dealing with the absence and/or loss of a parent is a heavy issue. How does the movie depict these themes?
- Whatmusical genres are mentioned in the movie? Kids: One of the main characters mentions how punk influencedlater generations of musicians. Who influenced your favorite musicians?
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More on Bandslam
What’s the Story?
Frequently bullied high schooler Will Burton (Gaelan Connell) moves from Cincinnati to New Jersey with his supportive single mom (Lisa Kudrow). Prepared to once again be invisible, Will meets his match in Sa5m (the "5" is silent), a bookish-but-beautiful misfit played by Vanessa Hudgens, on his first day of school. Life changes even more dramatically when popular senior Charlotte (Aly Michalka) mysteriously befriends him and enlists him to manage her fledgling band as they prepare to compete in BANDSLAM, a multi-state competition for high school musical acts. Will instantly goes from friendless to juggling his friendship with Sa5m, his commitment to the band and Charlotte, and his responsibilities to his mom.
Is It Any Good?
Director Todd Graff's last movie, Camp, was a delicious look at musical theater-buff teens, so it's not surprising that Bandslam (which is a good deal tamer than Camp) is such a charming little movie. Connell is perfectly cast as an adorable music geek -- and the fact he's not Zac Efron is part of the charm (Hudgens, after all, isn't playing Gabriela here). The movie makes you believe that young women as beautiful as Hudgens and Michalka would find Will attractive.
For parents who dig rock -- from classic to punk to indie -- Bandslam offers an amazing soundtrack, although not all the songs in the movie made it onto the official playlist. There's a recurring David Bowie joke that frames the story (Will writes him confessional emails), and in every scene at least half a dozen bands are discussed or played -- too many to count. The music (and Will's love for it) is what fuels the film, and whether it's Bowie or CBGB punk or the high school band Will pretentiously names I Can't Go On, I Go On, it all rocks.
Movie Details
Studio: Summit Entertainment, Director: Todd Graff
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/14/2009, DVD release: 3/16/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/14/2009, DVD release: 3/16/2010
MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Our Members Say
See 44 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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Kids ages: 10, 13
I rate this title on for age 10 and give itSurprisingly good, nothing inappropriate!
This movie was a wonderful surprise. We rented it thinking it would be a predictable, slightly cheesy (yet enjoyable) High School Musical or Camp Rock type of movie. It was MUCH better! Some really unexpected plot twists, good acting, and a good overall message. The best part was that there was absolutely nothing "inappropriate" - no bad language, no sexual stuff, not even any type of "too skimpy" clothing. Our almost-13-year-old and her friend really enjoyed it, as did my husband and I. Definitely considering purchasing this movie to be able to watch it again. So good to see that a really good movie can be made without all the swearing and sexual stuff that is so common these days!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
Not for under 7s
This is great film for those of you who enjoyed high school musical. Although there may be a very small amount of language unsutible for younger children or parts of the storyline that may be too much for again younger children it shoes good messages.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
This movie is freaking hillarious and unpredictable in a good way. Although there is some kissing there is nothing very bad or inappropriate about it. This movie made me laugh, cry, and dance around to the music with my family. It's rare to find a movie that is kid friendly but can also make the adults in the room laugh out loud.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
music42's comment
I think that this movie is an inspiration to me and can be to any one who likes music.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
shoot
LOL ha ha ha ha ha this is a stinking funny movie but there is some sexual activity
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Kids ages: 11
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Good movie
Loved it! Very cute and liked the fact that there was no language, drugs or sexual humor. Some of the acting was off, but Hudgens' was right on.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Funny, touching, and well-acted, Bandslam is a pleasent indie-like suprise that even older viewers will enjoy
I'm not sure why, but indie movies seem to be slowly rising up in the media nowadays. Indie music, too. Bandslam, the newest dish from Summit Entertainment and Walden Media, proves that undoubtedly. It focuses on a high school misfit named Will (played very well by newcomer Gaelan Connell), a fan of everything independent, who is clearly at a low-point in his life. He has to deal with making new friends at a new school, a dog-obsessed mother, and teasing from his peers. Everything changes when he meets Sa5m (the 5 is silent) and Charlotte. The trio quickly get along despite threre differences. After Will settles in, he decides to manage Charlotte's failing band for a huge school concert called Bandslam. The story is fresh and new, and the acting is first-rate. It is pleasantly suprising to have a kids movie that doesn't resort to low-brow potty humor and fart jokes. Bandslam generates laughs from goofy characters and a funny script. The movie also expertly mixes drama in, making for a movie that older viewers wil enjoy as well. It's an insightful, thoughtful, moving, and intellegent flick that deserves more recognition than comparable titles such as Napoleon Dynamite. If there is anything to hold it back from 5 stars, it's that there are some uneeded sub-plots, and an overuse of David Bowie's music. Content issues are only noticable in the sexual humor section, but it's all pretty mild. Anyone over 10 should be OK.
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Kids ages: 12
I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
This movie rocked!
I loved this movie
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Kids ages: 12, 16
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great Movie for Teens, Pre-teens, and Adults
This movie was much better than I expected. I'm not a big Vanessa Hudgens fan, but I actually liked her in this movie. I laughed, and I cried. The high school kids are played by adult actors, some of them around 30 years old, but they do a great job. My 12-year-old son wasn't excited to watch Bandslam, but he ended up loving it - he watched it several times before we took it back to Redbox. We might have to buy this one...
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
Good music, good time.
Overall this was a cute movie. The music was very good, and the storyline was cute and not as cliche as most movies these days. It is enjoyable for the disney lovers and even adults.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
If you like American Idol, you'll probably like this film.
This was an outstanding film for fans of avant-garde music acts like David Bowie or The Velvet Underground. There were several references to bands which I had never heard of, which got me interested in finding out about them. All three leads were quite good. It's unfortunate that this film was the victim of one of the worst marketing I've ever scene. I strongly recommend renting the DVD, or see it on InDemand pay per view. If you like American Idol, which is what the plot of this movie is. It's essentially a music contest for unsigned music acts, with some interesting character development thrown in,
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good movie for adults,teens and tweens!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! It is the best!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good movie for adults,teens and tweens!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! It is the best!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Finally, A good movie for TEENS and TWEENS!
I was so surprised when I watched this movie with my 11 year old son. We BOTH loved it! It was very funny and the music was great. There is NOTHING inappropriate or bad in this movie, just good, clean fun! Even teens will enjoy the contemporary plot. This movie was way underrated, don't miss it!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Finally, A good movie for TEENS and TWEENS!
I was so surprised when I watched this movie with my 11 year old son. We BOTH loved it! It was very funny and the music was great. There is NOTHING inappropriate or bad in this movie, just good, clean fun! Even teens will enjoy the contemporary plot. This movie was way underrated, don't miss it!
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
really good movie! it was very funny! i think that it's fine for a nine year old to watch but i reckon that you should watch it when you're a bit older to appreciate it more nad relate to scenes:D
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
TOTALLY AWESOME
this movie was amazing! all the acting and casting is great. nothing really innapropriate, really. just some kissing and flirting. all the music is great. its kinda forgettable but an awesome movie that i totally reccomend!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Overall the sexual behavior and little language problems, I loved it! I went in thinking we would be good but it turned out great. My mother loved it too. I reall want the movie and I think that you need to buy this film. I think that this is for ages eight and up. I hope that you agree with me. :)
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Ratings at a Glance
| 64% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 55% | of parents say there are good role models |
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