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
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 the ongoing 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?
- What musical genres are mentioned in the movie? Kids: One of the main characters mentions how punk influenced later generations of musicians. Who influenced your favorite musicians?
Have you seen it? Review It!
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
MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/14/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Our Members Say
See all 27 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
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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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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I've seen it 3 times and loved it each time. there is some kissing and one really random make out part in the background....but i only noticed it the second time i saw it so no big deal. otherwise it's great for everyone i saw it with my 75yr old grandma once and she loved it. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
stuip
for young girls only
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
good family movie:)
Awh. it was sweet. but i hate vanessa hudgens. When the guy kissed Wills mom, i died laughing. i recommened it for all kids over 8:) me and shannon went to see it with my sister and we all loved it. not much kissing. no bad words. okay music. it made me laugh. when charlotte and will are arguing i didn't understand it hahaa:). take your kids.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
Good message- teaching kids to follow their dreams and not give up when you encounter a problem. More appropriate version of School of Rock.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Does music mean a lot to you?
I took my seven-year-old, and she enjoyed it, although much of the subtleties went over her and her ten-year-old sister's head. I actually recommend this movie for adults who were alternative music fans during the disco era. I was too young to go to CBGB, just like the protagonist of this movie, who probably wasn't born yet in the heyday of punk. Pleasant nostalgia for any alternative music fan who just doesn't fit in with their day's popular music. It really captures the inner life of a alt music fan, in a sweet and almost-G-rated way. I liked it a lot.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Terrible movie. Totally appropriate but just a bad movie.
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I rate this title off for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
It is not a good movie for kids.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I think tweens will love it
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Pefect tween movie .... boys or girls.
Went in thinking "ugh, this is going to be horrible" and I loved it. Had a great "you can do it" message, funny lines, great characters and fantastic music. My daughter and her friends loved loved loved it. They now want to take music lessons. We will definately purchase it when it comes out on video.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Luved it
this movie is awesome and to think i just went for the new moon trailer lol but no it was a great movie it had a good plot good characters and it was hilairous too
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
Bandslam--better than expected!
Bandslam may be a little too long for younger kids ages 7 and under. It is still VERY entertaining and has a lot a of great music by the characters in this wonderful film. This movie also has a great cast. I gave this film a 3 1/2 star ranking( out of four stars.) I liked this film a lot. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes good music.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Fine for tweens.... and entertaining for older kids/adults
I brought my 9 and 11 year old (and their friends) to this movie and they loved it. I did not find anything uncomfortable, inappropriate or disturbing about it. They came out of the movie saying they wanted to learn new instruments! (And download new music of course) - a great soundtrack for music lovers.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
I thought this movie was overall very enjoyable. It is a movie that you can see again and again and never get bored of it. It had good messages, such as, working together, and treating everyone the way you want to be treated. It was very well made and it was worth the money I spent.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great Movie-Especially Music Lovers
I thought this movie was great! There's really nothing bad at all. I guess the worst part-if you could even consider it that-would be when Charlotte tickles Will on his bed after sneaking into his room. But that's it...And that's not even as bad as it sounds. It's a great movie, and music lovers will definitely love it! I did! =)
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
Good for everyone
As Charlotte says in the cute family comedy/drama movie Bandslam, always do the thing that scares you. Just a warning to everyone. Only do it if you think it's right.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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