Review of Drumline (2002) by Jade J — 25 Jan 2010

Drumline wasn't really anything special. It's a movie that I would watch constantly in my high school's band class and I don't ever remember being impressed with it.

Except for the cinematography. It's interesting because that's something I've never really felt was the highlight of a film, but it is here.

And I do have to give it credit for the good performances by the leads and the relatively clever way the story is told. I do have a problem with it being a little too melodramatic at times, but I can always forgive a movie for a fault like that.

Drumline's plot is just way too familiar. We've seen it all before. A newcomer who's awesome joins the team and leads them to victory. Of course, they must first deal with the newcomer's ego, which is really high.

I think I would recommend this picture for students playing in band, especially if they can accept the fact that it never looks like anyone is actually playing the instruments onscreen.

Drumline has a lot of flashy visuals and some pretty good music to go with it. This is not a film that I have experience to get better with age and neither is it one I could watch over and over again, but for what it is, it isn't bad.

6/10.