Bandslam

Bandslam

Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell, Aly Michalka, Scott Porter, Lisa Kudrow

Directed by: Todd Graff

Reviewed by: Conor Flynn







There’s no two ways about it, Disney has made an absolute fortune with the ‘High School Musical’ series. A further instalment is already in the works, sans the original cast. For all who bemoaned Vanessa Hudgens’ characters graduation (and ultimate departure from the series), you can now take some comfort in knowing that this latest film is a quasi-follow-on of sorts. Although Hudgens new character is somewhat different to her old character in ‘High School Musical’, she still can’t escape musical numbers, the educational system or the wretched cycle of growing pains…

Charlotte Bansasks (Michalka) is a struggling singer-songwriter who wants nothing more than to get even with her former band member and boyfriend Ben (Porter). With the help of her friend Sa5m (Hudgens) and social reject Will (Connell), Charlotte forms a band in order to go head to head with Ben at this years biggest musical event; Bandslam…

Bandslam aims to be Cameron Crowe-lite for kids. Despite the formulaic teenage angst they have to mull through, the film is held together by the lead performances of Hudgens and Connell. The soundtrack to the film is packed with great songs from rock luminaries such as The Velvet Underground and David Bowie, the latter who cameos with one of the years most lethargic phone-in performances (ha-ha-ha, hee-hee-hee, I grabbed the pay-check and you can’t catch me). There are a few witty moments, in particular, a reference to Batman’s arch enemy the Joker, which is a real gem, but on the whole, the film is very clumsily balanced. The problem is that writer/director Todd Graff seems unsure which audience he’s aiming for.

Teenyboppers expecting another ‘High School Musical’ are in for something of a shock. Likewise, parents unwillingly dragged along to the third instalment of that series are also in for a shock when they realise that this film may have something they can relate to. The film refers approvingly to culture from a bygone era, for example, Sa5m’s favourite film is ‘Evil Dead 2,’ yet takes a near dismissive view of everything contemporary. This offers too much parent friendly material and not enough for children who may end up alienated by the film. The problems are all topped off with a by-the-numbers ending which pilfers directly from Richard Linklater’s superior ‘School of Rock’.

Bandslam has its moments, but the direction is deeply flawed. Some good performances keep the film watchable and it is witty, but it still feels like a rushed cash-in on the ‘High School Musical’ craze. ‘So welcome to the machine…’