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Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelen Connell, Lisa Kudrow, Scott Porter ... see more see more... , Ryan Donawho , Charlie Saxton , Tim Jo , David Bowie , Elvy Yost , Lisa Chung , J.W. Wright II , Blair Bomar , Maggie Maye , Jennifer Blair , Casey Rogers Williams , Michael Cuomo , Landon Henninger , Farah White , Jonathan Rice

A gifted young singer-songwriter recruits the new kid in town to manage her fledgling rock band in this music-driven comedy starring Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Gaelan Connell. Charlotte Banks (Aly Micha... read more read more...lka) has what it takes to be a true rock star, and with the battle of the bands approaching she's determined to win. Her chief opponent in the upcoming competition is none other than her egotistical ex-boyfriend Ben (Scott Porter). Ben may be cocky, but there's no denying his charisma when he takes the stage. With a little help from new arrival Will Burton (Connell), Charlotte's band begins to develop a unique sound and starts writing some original songs. Meanwhile, as Will and singer/guitarist Sa5m (Hudgeons) start to make a love connection, disaster strikes, and the band is forced to choose between conceding the competition or standing tall and finally living up to their true potential. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

106,084 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

96 critics

PG, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Todd Graff

Release Date: August 14, 2009

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DVD Release Date: March 16, 2010

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Stats: 3,258 reviews

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Aly Michalka in Bandslam. :) Bandslam Bandslam Vanessa Hudgens Vanessa Hudgens Bandslam - Gaelan Connell Bandslam - Alyson Michalka Bandslam Promo Pic Bandslam - Gaelan Connell Vanessa Hudgens Lisa Kudrow Bandslam - Vanessa Hudgens Bandslam - Gaelan Connell Alyson Michalka Bandslam Scott Porter Lisa Kudrow Alyson Michalka
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Flixster Reviews (3,258)

  • superjoker1
    June 13, 2011
    superjoker1
    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.
  • coollala0910
    March 25, 2011
    coollala0910
    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 t... read morehe 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."
  • romy861
    December 9, 2010
    romy861
    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 bette... read morer. 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.
  • paulsandberg
    November 10, 2010
    paulsandberg
    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, h... read moreas 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.
  • fb733768972
    October 18, 2010
    fb733768972
    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... read more. 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!
  • itsjustme2004
    October 12, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Definitely a feel-good, fun movie.
  • Redlats
    August 22, 2010
    Redlats
    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.
  • movieguru12
    August 2, 2010
    movieguru12
    Really good movie. I enjoyed it a lot :)
  • CrookedlittleB33
    July 31, 2010
    CrookedlittleB33
    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
  • LWOODS04
    June 15, 2010
    LWOODS04
    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 appe... read morears 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."

View All Bandslam Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ben Mankiewicz
August 17, 2009
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

There is really just a lot to like here. Full Review

Ben Lyons
August 17, 2009
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

These are characters that make mistakes, they redeem themselves, and they grow throughout the course of the film. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
August 14, 2009
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Bandslam is hardly the definition of a great movie, but it is pleasant and bright and doesn't insult its audience's intelligence. And that's as rare and welcome as a well-crafted three-minute pop song. Full Review

Andy Webster
August 14, 2009
Andy Webster, New York Times

Tidy, heartfelt direction by Todd Graff (Camp); astute song references; and a David Bowie cameo transcend the formula underpinnings and keep Bandslam buoyant, gratifying and, yes, rocking.

Amy Biancolli
August 14, 2009
Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie has a few good tunes and some charming comic dash, at least at first. Full Review

Jason Anderson
August 14, 2009
Jason Anderson, Toronto Star

Bandslam consistently exceeds current teen-flick standards thanks to its snarky humour, its strong musical sequences and its ability to convey the excitement the characters feel both about performing ... Full Review

John Anderson
August 14, 2009
John Anderson, Newsday

Simultaneously shiny and retro, calibrated and uncalculated, familiar and unpredictable. Full Review

Michael Phillips
August 14, 2009
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

The bonus in this modest charmer? Not a single major female character, including Will's single mother played by Lisa Kudrow, is subjected to the usual Hollywood rom-com demonization. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
August 14, 2009
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

In a goofily endearing performance reminiscent of the young John Cusack, Connell is charming and relatable. Likewise, Kudrow, as the overprotective mother who both fears and wants more independence fo... Full Review

Lou Lumenick
August 14, 2009
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Director Todd Graff does have a keen understanding of kids in the world of performing arts, as he shows here and in his earlier and better film Camp. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Sa5m: Do you ever heard a stutter laugh?
    • Sa5m: We need another minute.
    • Will Burton: We don't have another minute!
    • Sa5m: WE NEED ANOTHER MINUTE!
    • Charlotte Banks: Hey I'm Charlotte. Nice to meet you.
    • Sa5m: I've known you since fifth grade.
    • Charlotte Banks: Huh?
    • Sa5m: You used to babysit me.
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