Will Burton knows about music. A LOT about music. Will doesn't just know the Top 40 chart -- if fact, he doesn't really care much about the current Top 40. He cares about where the current Top 40 music came from; the original artists who took Reggae music and created Ska so Gwen Stefani and No Doubt can have their moment in the sun today.But Will's a loner -- a bullied kid who spends his days writing e-mails to David Bowie. When Will's mother gets a new job in another state, it gives him the opportunity for a new beginning, a chance to become the person he's always dreamed of being but never had the chance.
At his new school, he hears about something called "Bandslam" -- a local music competition that was almost won the previous year by school band "Glory Dogs". How big is it? "Texas high school football big," says Sa5m, the girl he's been paired with for a class project (the "5", she tells him, is silent). "The winner gets a recording contract." Sa5m is also a loner, but together they form a bond of friendship that slowly brings them both out of their shells and leads to something more.
Will is also befriended by Charlotte, the former head cheerleader who is starting a band to rival the Glory Dogs. Charlotte gives Will a chance to put his vast musical knowledge into practice, offering him the chance to manage her band. Will takes to the challenge, bringing in extra musicians, changing the group's sound, focus, and even their name; giving the group a good chance at not just beating Glory Dogs, but winning the whole thing.
Just as things seem to be going perfectly, problems surface: by spending so much time on the band, Will may have ruined his burgeoning relationship with Sa5m. His past begins to catch up with him. Charlotte, too, has her own problems to deal with, and it all comes to a head at the Bandslam competition.
This is a wonderful film, filled with great music, drama, comedy, romance, and enough plot twists to keep you interested. More importantly, for me, it shows a real respect for music. You'll be heading online to Allmusic.com to find out about the groups and people mentioned by Will that you might not have heard of, but who were essential for bringing music to where it is today, and where it will head in the future.
Starring Gaelen Connell, Vanessa Ann Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow, and Scott Porter. Rated PG for thematic elements, but certainly not a problem for most teenagers.
EDIT: This movie is now available to check out from the library Circulation Desk. Please remember that you have to be 18 or older to check out items from the video collection.
