Starring Gaelan Connell, Aly Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, and Lisa Kudrow
Written by Josh A. Cagan and Todd Graff
Directed by Todd Graff
Written by Josh A. Cagan and Todd Graff
Directed by Todd Graff
Even though Bandslam certainly isn't a great title, it's certainly better than the working title on the poster to the left. Get it...where there's a will, there's a way (and the main character's name is Will, too)...ugh...let's move on.
Will Burton (played by Even Stevens-era Shia Labeouf look-alike Gaelan Connell...side note: Even Stevens was such a good show) has just moved to New Jersey with his mom (Lisa Kudrow). Within the first few days at his new school, he meets two gals -- loner and bookworm Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens)("the 5 is silent") and former cheerleader/lead singer of a "cool" band Charlotte (Aly Michalka). Will soon becomes manager of Charlotte's band, while at the same time slowly falling for Sa5m. Will he be able to balance both of these things in his life? Will the newly formed band be able to win the northeast Bandslam competition? Will I care?
Admittedly, the film isn't awful, but it just can't rise above mediocrity. The dialogue is poorly constructed (it jumps back and forth from these teens doing some "deep" thinking and then spouting stupid lines within seconds) and the kids, while all okay (with the exception of the pretty darn awful Hudgens), didn't seem real to me.
That being said, the movie takes a serious twist towards the end that actually worked better than I thought it would (although the somber turn was completely unnecessary). Additionally, I actually really liked Lisa Kudrow as Will's mom. I enjoyed the scenes she shared with all the teen stars and her character was actually given some believable dialogue. After her abysmal turn in Hotel for Dogs, it was nice to see her being moderately entertaining here.
So, there's no reason to see this, but it wasn't all that bad.
Will Burton (played by Even Stevens-era Shia Labeouf look-alike Gaelan Connell...side note: Even Stevens was such a good show) has just moved to New Jersey with his mom (Lisa Kudrow). Within the first few days at his new school, he meets two gals -- loner and bookworm Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens)("the 5 is silent") and former cheerleader/lead singer of a "cool" band Charlotte (Aly Michalka). Will soon becomes manager of Charlotte's band, while at the same time slowly falling for Sa5m. Will he be able to balance both of these things in his life? Will the newly formed band be able to win the northeast Bandslam competition? Will I care?
Admittedly, the film isn't awful, but it just can't rise above mediocrity. The dialogue is poorly constructed (it jumps back and forth from these teens doing some "deep" thinking and then spouting stupid lines within seconds) and the kids, while all okay (with the exception of the pretty darn awful Hudgens), didn't seem real to me.
That being said, the movie takes a serious twist towards the end that actually worked better than I thought it would (although the somber turn was completely unnecessary). Additionally, I actually really liked Lisa Kudrow as Will's mom. I enjoyed the scenes she shared with all the teen stars and her character was actually given some believable dialogue. After her abysmal turn in Hotel for Dogs, it was nice to see her being moderately entertaining here.
So, there's no reason to see this, but it wasn't all that bad.
The RyMickey Rating: D+
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