‘Bandslam’ a lively teen movie

Director: Todd Graff

Cast: Gaelan Connell, Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Scott Porter. Lisa Kudrow

Cert: PG

One from the ‘High School Musical’ scribble-pad, this is the sort of film that isn’t downright bad, but aimed at a teen market.

It’s actually a surprisingly good, well-scripted and well-acted piece of solid family entertainment, even if it does rely on all the usual High School stereotypes: the geek who finds acceptance through his knowledge and love of music, the Queen Bee of the in-crowd, the one with the funny name and the ex-boyfriend as a rival.

Connell is Will, the geek, moved to a new school where he finds musically like-minded Sa5m (that’s the odd name, played by Hudgens) and the school beauty Charlotte (Michalka) who forms a band to enter the big Bandslam competition, with ex-boyfriend Ben (Porter) appearing with his rival band.

Cue lots of music, the sort a teen audience will certainly appreciate, and a film that is lively, watchable and high on entertainment.

Star Rating: 4/5