Bandslam (review)
It’s official: rock ’n’ roll has been tamed. It must be if Walden Media (see: the Narnia movies), the movie company known for its family-values agenda (that is, one that adheres to the stereotypical narrow ideas about what constitutes both “family” and “values”) is taking it on. That’s how you get a rock ’n’ roll movie this calculated for sweet, feel-good blandness. And not the rock ’n’ roll kind of feel-good, either, unless you think the Jonas Brothers rock hard. Instantly forgettable but inoffensive, this is the tale of misfit teen Will Burton (the Shia LaBeouf-esque newcomer Gaelan Connell), who moves to a new high school that isn’t quite so much like “Guantanamo with a lunch period” as the old one, makes new friends, and starts managing a high-school band in preparation for the titular competition. Adolescent bumps in the road are struck, of course, but all the would-be excitement here is contrived and melodramatic, and painfully earnest at that -- blame writers Todd Graff and Josh A. Cagan; Graff directs. Isn’t it suspicious that golden-girl cheerleader Charlotte (Aly Michalka) would hang around with the likes of Will? Will he learn to love the “eccentric” Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens: High School Musical 3: Senior Year) -- the “5” is silent -- and she him, even though she mopes that “emotion is overrated”? Take Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, delete all the raw pain and uncomplicated joy, and this is what you’re left with. It’s not awful, just awfully dull.
rated PG for some thematic elements and mild language
official site | IMDB | trailer | more reviews at MRQE
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comments
posted by JOrdan (Fri Aug 14 09, 1:40AM)
You should probably actually watch the movie "BEFORE" you review it.
It's not a great movie but it is good. At least worth 3 stars. But you would know that if you actually went to see it.
posted by Newbs (Fri Aug 14 09, 2:09AM)
Luckily, I do: there is literally no way in hell this movie is any good.
posted by MaSch (Fri Aug 14 09, 3:26AM)
Then why is it a yellow light instead of a red one?
Wait, I guess it's because the movie is too bland to venture into red territory, right?
posted by bonnie (Fri Aug 14 09, 8:02AM)
Your review skills are extremely lacking.
posted by bonnie (Fri Aug 14 09, 8:05AM)
Not saying you're wrong about the movie, having not seen it, but I suppose I'm use to a different style of critiques.
posted by Brian (Fri Aug 14 09, 9:41AM)
I don't know what more you are looking for, bonnie, but this review tells me everything I need to know about this movie. Actually, the last two sentences of this review tell me everything I need to know about this movie.
posted by Alli (Fri Aug 14 09, 9:42AM)
Oh noes. The 13-year-olds are after you now MaryAnn.
posted by Newbs (Fri Aug 14 09, 10:36AM)
No, I was just pointing out that MaryAnn has indeed seen the film, and then I tried to stir things up a bit with some vociferous negativity, despite knowing that JOrdan won't ever stop by to read my response since she's probably just a studio bot (the movie didn't even come out until today, after all).
posted by MaryAnn (Fri Aug 14 09, 3:28PM)
It's yellow because it's not terrible, just not very adventurous. If I had a tween, I wouldn't mind him or her seeing this, but I do wish it were sharper than it is.
posted by Bongwater (Sun Aug 16 09, 2:28AM)
I saw It Might Get Loud tonight, and it seems like the perfect antithesis to this one. Rock and Roll doesn't seem tamed here. A little bit on the guitar geeky side, but it's definitely worth checking out (especially if you're into Page, Edge and/or White). Made me want to go home and pick up that old piece-of-shit Memphis telecaster copy some guy gave me almost 20 years ago.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/itmightgetloud/