Rating: 
Summary: Bang the Drum Loudly, and Beautifully: Real Showtime!
Review: "Drumline" is a surprisingly good film about music, or beat. At first, you may dislike its almost military-like discipline shown in the story, but the music and drama will gradually win you over, with the great showdown about "the battle of drumlines" which is a minor classic.New star Nick Cannon is Devon, New-York born freshman in the University in Atlanta. He is a skilled drummer (of snare drum), recruited to make it as a musician there, and possibly win the love of a girl Laila (Zoe Saldana). Well, that was his idea. However, to his dismay, the "band" of the university turns out something different. It is, though within the reasonable rules, something like army, where you have to wake up at 4 am.; where you have to train your bodies even in the hard rain; or -- this is the most important part -- the ego clashes between him and one senior member Sean, who thinks this able rookie can be the threat to his role. The film's greatest merit is its beat, most eloquently shown in the final scene -- the national contest for the band. In it, you experience the thrill and excitement of the marching band's incredibly rousing beat, which would justify the film's overlong and a little predictable story. In other words, once you see it, the "half-time" itself becomes the sports. The school drama is not particularly great, but reasonably presented, without relying on cliched storytelling. Besides Zoe Saldana ("Crossroads"), you will see GQ, Leonard Roberts as Sean, Jason Weaver, and Orlando Jones as the coach, whose quiet but assured manners as teacher add the convincing touch to the film. Like "Bring it on," "Drumline" will change the image and definition of marching band. It takes what it describes seriously, and rightly so. And it finally pays off.
Rating: 
Summary: Hear the Drummer get Wicked!
Review: "Drumline" is a sterling example of a movie that works because it follows a winning formula while avoiding cliche. So many movies force their characters to march through the elements of the formula, treating them as nothing more than pawns. But "Drumline" gives us characters with ideas, souls, and intelligence, so that they drive the plot, rather than let the plot drive them. And it even offers a few surprises. Devon (well-played by Nick Cannon) is our hero, and even though he grew up poor in Harlem, he's proud that he lives clean, has fathered no children, and earned his full scholarship to college. He's cocky, but with good reason, as he's the best drummer in school - and he plans to be the best drummer in college, as well. The college scenes, incidentally, are a band geek's dream. We see how band camp is run as sort of a Basic Training Lite, and how there's a hierarchy that has to be followed. But then the movie does an interesting thing - it gives the characters in Devon's life dimensions. Sean, Devon's section leader, isn't a villain but a kid given a tough job who makes bad choices while trying to do the right thing. And the band director, Dr. Lee, is immediately set up as a no-nonsense, pro-education hero - but toward the middle of the movie, we suspect that his point of view might not be the only acceptable one. The formula presses on, and while the film inevitably builds to a big (and kind of awesome) showdown between rival drumlines, there are nifty surprises along the way. It's inevitable that Devon's antics get him suspended from the band, but watch how they happen, and how they defy expectations. And watch how Dr. Lee has to make some difficult decisions and be true to himself, even as he defines what that truth is. There's a reason why we like movies about cocky underdogs with talent. "Drumline" knows this and exploites it to the hilt - and sure enough, we end up with big, goofy smiles on our faces and hearts. And along the way we get to see some great marching bands and a lot of genuine comedy - who can ask for more than that?
Rating: 
Summary: Why this is a bad movie
Review: This movie is lousy because: a) The drumming could have been much better. From a musical standpoint a mediocre high school marching band could play tighter and harder material. b) The moral seems to be that if you're cocky enough and stubborn enough you'll eventually get what you want. The main character in this movie never grows as a person and never learns anything. He just keeps whining until he finally gets his way. If you want to see good drumming and teamwork find a Drum Corps International show near you and hang out in the parking lot while they warm up.
Rating:
Summary: Turn the beat around. . .love to hear percussion!
Review: Nothing like a percussion section to dress up a marching band--to give the band some flair and a nice touch of razzle-dazzle. Is it any wonder percussion sections are often comprised of flamboyant, overly-confident, enthusiastic showboaters? And there's nothing wrong with that: after all, these guys have to strut their stuff, entertain the crowd, and hold the band together--all at the same time. The movie DRUMLINE pays homage to the determined percussionists who entertain college football crowds on Saturday afternoons. The story itself is formulaic and predictable: young Devon (Nick Cannon), a snare drummer with buckets of talent but a serious attitude, is constantly on the outs with his no-nonsense band director, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones, forever known to me as the 7UP dude). But the story is enhanced by the fascinating trials and tribulations of the (fictitious) Atlanta A&T marching band as it progresses through a long football season. The viewer is privy to the band's countless practices, personality clashes, section challenges, and performances. But the performances make this movie so entertaining; director Charles Stone III and his crew really knew their stuff, as DRUMLINE vividly portrays the gritty and glittery realism of a big-time college marching band. I even get a nice little workout while I watch this film--especially when Atlanta A&T's percussion section must meet a challenging drumline in a "face-off" to determine the winner of a national marching band contest. The drum cadences, the pounding and clashing rhythms, are so clean, crisp, and compelling that I find myself first bobbing my head to the beat, then swaying and strutting to the delightful sounds. Finally, I'm slapping my beer belly in unison with the cadence (and I keep up pretty well, if I do say so myself). The workout provides a fresh burst of energy, and so does DRUMLINE.
--D. Mikels
Rating:
Summary: Nice idea - poor finish
Review: I think most of the gushing reviewers here are in love with the "concept" of this film. I love southern colleges and the halftime experience too, but this movie is poorly made. Too cliche, too predictable, and overall just a simple product. However, until a good movie is made regarding this topic; line up and join the masses that seem to be "falling over themselves" about this movie based on the idea of the story.
Rating:
Summary: How did this movie get made?
Review: ...That is what I wonder everytime I see it. IT IS SO GOOD and so far better than any movie that I have seen in YEARS that I have to wonder how it ever got made! You don't need to be black, have any experience with bands, like hip hop, etc to LOVE this movie. Tired of watching evil people, terrible stories, violence and porn-like-sex scenes? Then you'll like this movie. It is just a great story about good people. SO RARE. So well done. I've lost track of how many times I've watched it.
Rating:
Summary: Marching Band
Review: If you have ever been in a black marching band . . . better yet, if you have ever went to a black high school or college where the kids went to the game, not to see the game, but to watch the band at half time, then you need to rent this DVD. It is tight! It reminded me so much of the life I used to know in the band: challenge, initiation, seniors going crazy with their power-tripping, the difference between chorus style marching (white bands) and military style marching (black bands)! It's all there. There are two more pluses. (1) There's a nice little romance going on. (2) J. Anthony Brown from the Tom Joyner Radio show is in the movie as the band director from the "bad" rival band and HE IS A TRIIIPPP!!! He is funny as hell and he reminds me of real band directors who used to shake their booties at the other band when they direct. This is a tight DVD!!! Buy it today. It is so real.
Rating:
Summary: This movie has all the right beats
Review: Charles Stone III`s crowd-pleasing drama/comedy spotlights the previously never done world of university marching bands more specifically, the cutthroat world that energizes Southern black campuses. Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) is a Harlem teenager who receives a full scholarship to attend Atlanta A&T University based on his excellent percussion talents. However, making the transition from hip-hop street drumming to the drumline of the school`s legendary marching band is more challenging than Miles expected. For one, the band director, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), is determined to reclaim the national championship using old-school tactics, even though his traditional beliefs appear to be leaving A&T in the dust. And then there is Sean (Leonard Roberts), the current drum leader, who is threatened by Devon`s skills and frustrated by his fierce individuality. These forces, as well as the addition of a cheerleading love interest (Zoe Saldana), combine to test Devon`s previously unshakeable confidence. As the season builds toward the BET Big Southern Classic and a showdown with rival Morris Brown University, Devon must swallow his pride and learn to be a team player if he wants his band to win the championship. DRUMLINE proves that any subject can make for an invigorating work of entertainment, if handled properly.
The movie has a number of talented young actors robert leonard,jason weaver (switched,smart guy), GQ Jayson ( drumline, what's the worse that can happen, on the line).
Rating:
Summary: a work out !!!
Review: THE movie I had been waiting on for many years. I've lived in the States (Pearland, Texas) for three years, and I've really lurned to love music. I didn't miss one musical activity of my high school marching band. Seeing DRUMline caused many feelings to resurface. Goosbumps, is what you get !!! I didn't even sit on the edge of my seat, I stood up and started drumming along with the band. Fantastic !!! The facial expressions in the drumline face-off at the end, puts a smile on your face and makes you thighten your muscles as if you're right there in the line...If there are any thoughts on making a sequal... please DO
Rating:
Summary: A lesson to be learned
Review: There is quite a bit more depth in the story line than bands competing against one another. The focus, of course, is on the main character, Devon (Nick Cannon), a self centered and highly skilled drummer. We see how he begins to mature and learn the true meaning of teamwork, discipline and "One Band - One Sound." Of course, there's always a dramatic ending as you might imagine to a story such as this one, and yes it does deliver. Recommended!
|
