Review – Bandslam and Fame

Bandslam

I was slightly leery about this one when it first came out, as it’s populated with a few more Disney stars than I generally like to see in my movies (generally being zero to none) though I’ve been known to make exceptions if I’m in the mood. Well, I happened to be in the mood today. It also helped that this movie’s reviews weren’t as terrible as I had expected.

The movie follows this dorky kid (who has a habit of pulling a face that makes him look like he just smelled something terrible) who transfers from one sucky school to another. Only his new school appears to not suck quite as hard as the previous school, as his first day there the lunch room crowd breaks out into a psychotic frenzy, moshing around a stage in the cafeteria, drooling over some band and screaming about something called “Bandslam.” Turns out there’s a competition of sorts where high schools in the area send bands to battle it out for a chance at a real live record deal.

Our dorky kid, Will, falls in with an underdog band populated with kids who could be good if they weren’t trying so damn hard. Will, of course, helps them turn it all around with his in-depth knowledge of all things musical. And he does actually make them pretty good, I won’t deny that I was bobbing my head along with several of the numbers they perform. The story was slightly cliche, the the acting was quick, somewhat smart, and sarcastically fun. How to best describe … let’s see, take one cheesy terrible Disney movie, shoot it through a grunge filter, and add a great indie soundtrack and you’ll get Bandslam.

All and all, not a bad movie, nothing cinematically great, but fun. I loved the soundtrack (for the most part, there were one or two songs that weren’t that amazing, and the final BIG BANG number by the cast was slightly less than impressive in my opinion) and I got into the characters and their stories (though there were bits that seemed a little out of place or forced) and the bits here and there where they poke a little fun at people are entertaining (main example: the character Sa5m – the 5 is slient – gains popularity from her band and we’re treated to a barrage of wannabees with all sorts of numbers and dashes and other fun silent additions to their names.) Oh, and the random narrative letters from Will to David Bowie add a quirky element that I loved, and opened the door to a Bowie cameo, which is never unwanted.

Fame

I am completely unfamiliar with the original movie from the 80s that this is a loose remake of, so I didn’t really know what to expect going in, though I’d read some less than stellar reviews. Well, I gave it a shot anyway, after just watching Bandslam, I was in the mood to watch another movie full of fun performances, and I figured Fame could deliver.

And it did deliver – the movie was full of fun dance numbers and a great soundtrack. The story was a little disjointed and not insanely interesting. Really, the movie is basically just a slice of life movie, showing us what’s going on with a group of kids going through their 4 years as a performing arts high school. There were some fun situations, some weird bits, and some truly sad segments, but all in all the majority of the scenes were a little flat.

But I will say this for the movie – it can truly boast a talented cast. I mean wow. Jealous of those who are able to perform? Regret ever giving up dance or music lessons? Wish you were a little more creative? Well, this movie will truly make you feel pathetic and untalented. But in a good way. ? Okay, well maybe not in an amazingly good way, but it is fun to watch the talent ooze out of the movie. I’ll be interested to see some of these kids doing other things, because they’re pretty damn good.

Oh, this also deserves a shout out – one of the characters is a dancer from Cedar Rapids. Iowa – represent! Holla.

The soundtrack for this movie wasn’t too terrible either, though it leans a little more towards the hip hop than anything. Oh, also, the final number, just as in Bandslam, just failed to deliver in my opinion. With all that talent, I was really hoping for something a little better. I mean, it was great, but just … I don’t know. Not that amazing to watch. But overall, not too bad. Not great or anything, but alright.

And, in honor of movies featuring the arts, here’s a list of some great final scenes that can often pull a movie out of the sludge of mediocrity:

Center Stage – the impossible costume/set changes aside (thank goodness for the magic of movie editing), this is one awesome ballet performance

Step Up 2: The Streets – mediocrity at its best, but I can’t get enough of the final dance in the rain and the dark … showing off not just cool coreography, but awesome atmosphere and lighting

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit – 90s gold

Stage Beauty – an amazing display of stage acting

Drumline – the marching is cool, but my favorite bit is of course, the drum line battle

Bring It On – yes, Bring It On. I enjoyed the final cheer performance at the competition. What?

… I’m sure there’s more, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head.