Bandslam

...Bandslam captures the way young people too smart and pop-culture-savvy for their own good let the music and movies they love define them during adolescence’s crucible of humiliation and self-doubt.

Stereotypes are avoided, and although Vanessa Hudgens feels miscast as the class loner, you forgive her during the blistering musical finale.

Both Aly Michalka and Vanessa Hudgens are musicians, which makes the rehearsal and performance segments convincing. They also possess beauty and presence, and yet look plausible.

This kid is pretty terrific, and that little plot point goes a long way toward saving Bandslam from being the movie it might have been...

...is a modest if over long crowd pleaser about a gang of kids who form a band—and not just any band, but a honed, savvy and hip product ready for Myspace success.