Review of Pump Up the Volume (1990) by Rj M — 25 Mar 2009
A carreer defining performance by Christian Slater elevates what could have been just another teen angst movie into an amazing piece of entertainment. Firmly set in 1990, before the internet gave everyone anonimity, Slater's pirate radio disc jockey gives a voice to the teens of his small, and obviously deeply troubled community.
The technology may be dated, but the movies message is as relevant today as it was then. Being a teenager can be the most troubling time in a persons life, and without a way to vent, to express, it can lead to dangerous results.
Of course the adults in town see him as a danger, whereas the kids see him as their voice, their rallying point against a system that is stacked against them. The teen chracters and their dilemmas come across very real, and can be identifiable even to kids today.
Of course the film lives and dies on the performance of Slater, who actually gives a sort of dual performance as the the rebellious radio man, and the quiet, meek student he also is. It's a powerful movie whose message can speak to any and all put upon young teens.
This review of Pump Up the Volume (1990) was written by Rj M on 25 Mar 2009.
Pump Up the Volume has generally received very positive reviews.
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