Bandslam (PG, 2009)

common sense media says

Music-driven teen flick is feel-good fun for parents, too.


parents & educators say
  • 58% say there are positive messages
  • 50% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: The band learns to put aside personal preferences to work together as a group, rehearsing day after day to meet Will's goals for them. Charlotte espouses her philosophy about doing what scares you most in order to confront your fears, and Will does just that, overcoming his shyness to meet new people.
Positive role models: Will is a good model of commitment -- to both goals and friends. He's true to his mother, Sa5m, and the band. The relationship between Will and his mom is sweet and realistic. Charlotte, although at one point a pretty negative role model, redeems herself in the movie's final scenes.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Ongoing flirting between a few characters leads to a "practice kiss" between Will and a friend -- and later between Will and the girl he wants to date. A high school senior thinks Will's mom is "hot" and eventually plants a surprise kiss on her. A couple of kisses among the Bandslam crowd.
Language: Mild language includes "idiots," "oh my God," "morons," "nerds," etc.
Consumerism: Brands visible include Apple (Mac notebook and iPod), Twizzler, California Pizza Kitchen, Coke, Wikipedia, MTV, CBGB, and several other NYC tourist stops. Many musical acts are mentioned or played prominently throughout the film.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Bandslam

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

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?

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 themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Director: Todd Graff
Cast: Alyson Michalka, Gaelan Connell, Vanessa Hudgens
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release: August 14, 2009
DVD release: March 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some thematic elements and mild language
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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 12 parent & educator reviews:
  • 58% say there are positive messages
  • 50% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

hcsmom
parent of 10 and 13 year old
 
Surprisingly 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!

mackey
teen, 14 years old
 
shoot
LOL ha ha ha ha ha this is a stinking funny movie but there is some sexual activity

harrypotter98
kid, 13 years old
 
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.

james22
parent of 11 year old
 
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.

OldBob13
teen, 16 years old
 
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.

AprncssAlyssa
kid, 12 years old
 

MattMan24
teen, 15 years old
 
Good film for a teen's family. Not for most kids.
I've seen many reviews, clips, and talk shows about the film. It seems like a good comedy, although one child-beloved actress plays a hooker in which she admitted on "Today". The main character's mother is a pressemist who believes his son is the "dark-horse" of his family. In commercials and trailers many ads can be seen.

Maturin
parent of 9 and 12 year old
 
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.

whatever99
teen, 15 years old
 
Perfect for 5th or 4th graders.

soccergrl11
parent of 12 year old
 
This movie rocked!
I loved this movie

movie dude
kid, 12 years old
 
You'll be rockin' out with this funny family movie!
A good rock 'n roll movie. I like the music in this. You learn a lesson, but watch it for yourself.

glitteratti
teen, 14 years old
 
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.

gabclima
teen, 18 years old
 
Great movie for kids

nosrac
kid, 10 years old
 
First of all WILL IS ONE OF THE COOLEST PEOPLE EVER.there is a Hilarious part about the main character wills first kiss.sa5m is really cool too!(the 5 is silent).

Yeah.
teen, 14 years old
 
Check out my page for more great recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.

popcornlove
teen, 15 years old
 
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.

findthegoodmovies
teen, 17 years old
 
Funny, Sweet, and Watchable
This is such a sweet, light and watch-it-over-and-over kind of movie! It is one of my favorites, a little kissing but other than that not much bad in it at all. The characters are cool and it's also got some very funny spots too!

masonlackey
teen, 14 years old
 
its awesome its rockin
this caught my attention and im glad it did wonderfully heartwarming movie for the whole family. reminds me alot of school of rock

Missydooda
teen, 14 years old
 
Perfect for evertone 8 and up
Love this movie!!!! it is my all time favorite movie!!!! there is nothing wrong with it at all. sure there is a couple kissing scenes, but it is nothing inappropriate.

romanceguru
parent of 9 and 11 year old
 
Something for everyone!
As a parent, it is so hard to find a decent family movie that have something for everyone. Usually, I lose interest quick in tweeny-dom, so I was surprised to find I really enjoyed watching Bandslam with my 11year old daughter. We cracked up at the smartly done humor, cleaver lead acting and narration, and enjoyed the touching moments that weren’t overly cheesy. Lisa Kudrow (from friends!) was a nice addition. I can't wait to watch it again with my 9 year old son, who I know will also enjoy this movie.

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