Drumline
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Outstanding cast, great message, strong language.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
The good stuff
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 Drumline was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that there's some very strong language ("s--t" and more), mild references to drinking, and moderate references to sex, particularly comparing playing an instrument to making love. A character is "accused" of being a virgin. Nevertheless, the behavior of the characters is admirable. Laila makes it clear that she is interested in a boyfriend, not a brief encounter. Parents should also know that the movie addresses some racial discrimination concerns, as the one white student in the band is at first looked at with suspicion, but later accepted warmly.
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 conflict Dr. Lee faces as he tries to do what is best for the band. What does he decide is most important, and when, and why? Why was it important to show Devon's confrontation with his father? How did that relationship affect his relationships with strong characters like Sean and Dr. Lee? What is it about Devon that Laila is drawn to? Why? What can you tell from the scene where each of the section leaders explains why that instrument is the most important? What does "one band, one sound" mean? Why does Dr. Lee think that honor and discipline are more important than talent?
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More on Drumline
What’s the Story?
In DRUMLINE, Devon (Nickelodeon's Nick Cannon) is a spirited kid who wins a full scholarship to college for his drum playing. The school, the fictitious Atlanta A&T, has a world-class marching band that hasn't won the big competition sponsored by BET television, and the school's president has put a lot of pressure on the bandmaster, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), to do whatever it takes to beat cross-town rival (and real-life marching band champs), Morris Brown College. But Lee believes that his job is to teach his students about music and about character, even at the cost of losing. At the center of this argument is Devon, whose flashy style and buoyant self-confidence put him at odds with the band's most sacred commitment: "one band, one sound."
Is It Any Good?
John Philip Sousa and all of the Music Man's 76 Trombones never dreamed that marching bands could be this cool. Farewell to the nerdy reputation for "band camp." Drumline makes marching bands as soul-stirring as raise-the-roof gospel and more irresistibly, foot-stompingly, hip-hoppily thrilling than any video currently playing on MTV.
The movie is about more than music, too. The band numbers themselves would be more than worth the price of admission, but the story and the characters hold their own. The story may be an old one, but the details of this unexplored world make it seem fresh and the very appealing performers make it seem real. Orlando Jones is one of the most talented comic actors in movies today, but in this decidedly un-comic role he manages to make Dr. Lee seem dedicated and principled without being priggish or inflexible. Cannon is outstanding, making us believe in Devon's talent and charm. Cannon makes Devon confident and vulnerable at the same time, and lets us see Devon's growth subtly and naturally.
Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Charles Stone
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/13/2002, DVD release: 4/15/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for innuendo and language
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/13/2002, DVD release: 4/15/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for innuendo and language
Our Members Say
See all 16 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
It's a good movie.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
awsome
i love it
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
some scenes are really slow
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
i think it is good
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
i think it is good
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
i think it is good
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
overrated movie
nothing too special, if you are a bando, this movie is for you. the message is just to follow your dreams. the drumming in the movie is very groovy but it is way to easy to play.
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I rate this title pause for age 11 and give it
I enjoyed this movie, it was a story about a kid who earns a scholarship to play the drums at a university. The basic message is if you have a passion for something, you can work hard to achieve it and that even if you hit obstacles along the way there are ways to surpass them without losing sight of your dreams.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Similar to MTV
This movie has inneuendo. It was sort of like when a rapper makes a movie, but a bit toned down. Overall it was a very MTV sort of thing.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A must see movie for teens and tweens!
Drumline is a fun,funny movie,people follow there dreams + no bad content.
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
hmmm
erm i was 12 or 13 when i saw this movie and there are lots of uses of the s word and one use of the f word and sexual refrences
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Entertaining........nothing special
This movie has no objectional content other than some swearing and kissing. Fun family movie about a college marching band.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Rocks...
This movie rocks!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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