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Drumline
Fox // PG-13 // April 15, 2003
List Price: $27.95 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) is an immeasurably talented drummer with an attitude to match his profiency. His snare skills were impressive enough to warrant a personal visit to his Harlem homestead by Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), the bandleader at Atlanta A&T University. Despite the long-distance recruiting, Devon still has to trudge through the audition process to determine where he'll be placed, and he quickly differentiates himself from the rest of the lot as the only member to have fully memorized his performance piece in advance. Devon has the ability to, with little more than a glance, break down a segment beat by beat and play with back flawlessly.
At Atlanta A&T, the marching band is more than just fifteen minutes of halftime filler; their performances are the real reason that the football team plays in front of consistently packed arenas. Devon quickly locks horns with section leader Sean (Leonard Roberts), who feels the freshman's cocky nature threatens to disrupt the military solidarity he's established with the line. In the first performance of the year, Devon upstages Sean with a drum solo, singlehandedly providing the kind of show that gets the crowd on their feet. The school's dean recognizes Devon's showboating as an advantage against their perennial adversary, the seemingly indomitable Morris Brown University. The competition finds its sonic inspiration from current radio hits, which is appreciated by the crowd, but sorely lacking the sort of musicianship that Dr. Lee wishes to instill in his students. Lee, whose motto is "one band, one sound", also finds himself at odds with Devon, who takes every opportunity to showcase his abilities. Despite being the most gifted drummer in the group, Devon continually violates the rules, even instigating a near-riot on the field with an opposing squad. Devon's talent warrants a prominent place on the drumline, but his cockiness relegates him to the sidelines as the band heads to the BET Big Southern Classic to face off against Morris Brown.
The general premise is undoubtedly recognizable, joining innumerable other movies centered around a cocky young hotshot who gradually learns the meaning of teamwork. With a weaker script or a less talented director at the helm, Drumline easily could've wound up as an instantly forgettable cookie-cutter film. The writing is thankfully not dismissive of its characters or the audience, and though there is an underlying lesson to be learned, Drumline isn't heavy-handed or preachy with its delivery. Drumline is also not distracted by unnecessary B-plots. Other characters are occasionally given some attention, but not to the detriment of the rest of the movie. The bright, confident Laila (Zoe Saldana), serves as the conscience with a midriff as well as the obligatory love interest. A pair of Devon's bandmates alre also briefly focused upon, including Jason (GQ), a rare white student at a historically black school. There's also a bandmate harbouring a secret, though his subplot is so infrequently touched upon that its pay-off didn't get much of a reaction.
The cast, particularly the leads, put in solid performances as well. It's understandable why Nick Cannon, making his silver screen debut in this starring role, has been pegged as The Next Big Thing. His character has to be smug and still likeable, a combination that's not easily juggled, but it's a balancing act Cannon is able to maintain with relative ease. Orlando Jones, an actor more closely associated with bug-eyed slapstick, takes a more serious, dramatic turn, in some ways reminiscent of the unexpected casting of Marlon Wayans in Requiem for a Dream. The bandleader he portrays is reluctant to compromise, but rather than being seen as a dull straight-arrow, Dr. Lee isn't entirely able to dismiss the prodigy without serious repercussions. J. Anthony Brown is another standout as the cartoonishly pompous leader of the Morris Brown marching band. Though A&T is an entirely fictional college, Morris Brown is, of course, real, and it's pleasantly surprising that the school would agree to let its band be portrayed in somewhat of a negative light.
As strong as the writing and acting are, the musical performances are what make Drumline so memorable, and there are quite a few of them scattered throughout the length of the movie. The scale of the musicianship and choreography is astonishing, featuring literally hundreds of participants. Although director Charles Stone III has a background in commercials and music videos, Drumline is pleasantly lacking the rapid-fire cuts and glossy vapidity associated with the MTV generation of filmmakers. The gorgeously-shot performance sequences alone deserve at least a rental, although Drumline isn't merely a feature-length excuse to incorporate these phenomenally well-executed moments; a lesser film would have carelessly tossed together a plot to serve as some sort of loose connecting thread holding these infectiously energetic performances together. The performances, both musical and otherwise, keep Drumline moving at a brisk pace, and despite its two hour runtime, the movie doesn't feel overly long or in any way artificially extended.
Drumline is a smart, well-crafted film with believable, three-dimensional characters, as well as jaw-dropping choreography and musicianship. Following its successful theatrical run, Drumline's release on DVD includes a spectacular Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack and a healthy assortment of supplemental material.
Video: Drumline is presented at an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and is enhanced for widescreen displays. Colors are its most memorable aspect, particularly the distinctive greens of the fields and the bands' bright, vivid uniforms. The image remains reasonably crisp and clear throughout, although the unexceptional level of detail is not particularly striking. The frequent presence of edge haloing definitely dulled my enthusiasm for the overall presentation. Overall, Drumline struck me as more or less average for a major studio release.
A pan-and-scan version is also available as a separate release for the masochistic.
Audio: The heart of Drumline is its music, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is very much reflective of that. The movie really comes to life during the band performances, taking full advantage of the six channels at its disposal. The frequent activity in the surrounds builds an immersive environment even when the performers haven't taken the field. As is to be expected from a percussion-heavy film, the lower frequencies in full effect, tight and crisp, and my subwoofer was rarely idle for any lengthy stretches. The other music scattered throughout the movie also makes effective use of the LFE channel. Stereo separation is solid, and there are a number of very nice pans across the soundstage.
The disc's other audio options include stereo dubs in French and Spanish, subtitles in English and Spanish, and closed captions.
Supplements: Drumline features a fair amount of supplemental material, beginning with an audio commentary with director Charles Stone III. The conversation is very technical in nature, and though I generally enjoy hearing about these aspects of production, I just couldn't get into this discussion. Informative and comprehensive though it may be, the commentary is rather dry and uninvolving. Stone also provides optional commentary for each of the disc's ten deleted scenes. Most of the fifteen minutes or so of footage revolves around the band, including a rehearsal montage, A&T's percussive response to Morris Brown's pop tendencies, and a pair of alternate A&T performances. Devon is also given an opportunity to spend more time with Laila and his father in several of these scenes. The rough, low-resolution footage is letterboxed to 2.35:1 and is not enhanced for widescreen televisions.
A twenty-two minute BET special, hosted by star Nick Cannon, consists primarily of interviews with the cast and crew and letterboxed clips from the movie. Its purpose is to drum up interest in the movie (pun intended), and though it's more comprehensive than the usual "HBO First Look" tripe, the special comes across as more of an extended promotional featurette than a behind-the-scenes documentary.
Also included are a pair of music videos that follow the drumline theme. First up is Joe's "I Want a Girl Like You", featuring Jadakiss, which runs a little over four minutes and is letterboxed to an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. There's also "Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)" by N'Sync's J.C. Chasez (4:30), which features the hopelessly predictable combination of Tara Reid, a camel, and a monster truck. Both trailers feature Dolby Digital 2.0 audio (192Kbps) and non-anamorphic presentations.
On the promotional tip is a thirty second ad for the movie's soundtrack, letterboxed to 1.78:1. Rounding out the extras is a letterboxed scope theatrical trailer for Antoine Fisher (2:34), which includes Dolby Digital stereo audio. Perhaps taking a cue from their competitor Buena Vista, Fox Home Video has opted not to include a trailer for Drumline itself, though reportedly one is included on the Antoine Fisher DVD.
Drumline includes a set of 16x9-enhanced menus, and the movie has been divided into thirty-six chapters.
Conclusion: Drumline offers all of the fun of a breezy summer sports flick without the vapidity. The bands' performances are alone deserving of a rental, and thankfully there's a pretty good movie interconnecting them. This DVD of Drumline looks and sounds great, and the respectable assortment of supplements make a purchase even more appealing. Definitely Recommended.
Related Links: The official Drumline site has more information on the film and its soundtrack, along with a trailer, wallpapers, and a sizeable still gallery.
At Atlanta A&T, the marching band is more than just fifteen minutes of halftime filler; their performances are the real reason that the football team plays in front of consistently packed arenas. Devon quickly locks horns with section leader Sean (Leonard Roberts), who feels the freshman's cocky nature threatens to disrupt the military solidarity he's established with the line. In the first performance of the year, Devon upstages Sean with a drum solo, singlehandedly providing the kind of show that gets the crowd on their feet. The school's dean recognizes Devon's showboating as an advantage against their perennial adversary, the seemingly indomitable Morris Brown University. The competition finds its sonic inspiration from current radio hits, which is appreciated by the crowd, but sorely lacking the sort of musicianship that Dr. Lee wishes to instill in his students. Lee, whose motto is "one band, one sound", also finds himself at odds with Devon, who takes every opportunity to showcase his abilities. Despite being the most gifted drummer in the group, Devon continually violates the rules, even instigating a near-riot on the field with an opposing squad. Devon's talent warrants a prominent place on the drumline, but his cockiness relegates him to the sidelines as the band heads to the BET Big Southern Classic to face off against Morris Brown.
The general premise is undoubtedly recognizable, joining innumerable other movies centered around a cocky young hotshot who gradually learns the meaning of teamwork. With a weaker script or a less talented director at the helm, Drumline easily could've wound up as an instantly forgettable cookie-cutter film. The writing is thankfully not dismissive of its characters or the audience, and though there is an underlying lesson to be learned, Drumline isn't heavy-handed or preachy with its delivery. Drumline is also not distracted by unnecessary B-plots. Other characters are occasionally given some attention, but not to the detriment of the rest of the movie. The bright, confident Laila (Zoe Saldana), serves as the conscience with a midriff as well as the obligatory love interest. A pair of Devon's bandmates alre also briefly focused upon, including Jason (GQ), a rare white student at a historically black school. There's also a bandmate harbouring a secret, though his subplot is so infrequently touched upon that its pay-off didn't get much of a reaction.
The cast, particularly the leads, put in solid performances as well. It's understandable why Nick Cannon, making his silver screen debut in this starring role, has been pegged as The Next Big Thing. His character has to be smug and still likeable, a combination that's not easily juggled, but it's a balancing act Cannon is able to maintain with relative ease. Orlando Jones, an actor more closely associated with bug-eyed slapstick, takes a more serious, dramatic turn, in some ways reminiscent of the unexpected casting of Marlon Wayans in Requiem for a Dream. The bandleader he portrays is reluctant to compromise, but rather than being seen as a dull straight-arrow, Dr. Lee isn't entirely able to dismiss the prodigy without serious repercussions. J. Anthony Brown is another standout as the cartoonishly pompous leader of the Morris Brown marching band. Though A&T is an entirely fictional college, Morris Brown is, of course, real, and it's pleasantly surprising that the school would agree to let its band be portrayed in somewhat of a negative light.
As strong as the writing and acting are, the musical performances are what make Drumline so memorable, and there are quite a few of them scattered throughout the length of the movie. The scale of the musicianship and choreography is astonishing, featuring literally hundreds of participants. Although director Charles Stone III has a background in commercials and music videos, Drumline is pleasantly lacking the rapid-fire cuts and glossy vapidity associated with the MTV generation of filmmakers. The gorgeously-shot performance sequences alone deserve at least a rental, although Drumline isn't merely a feature-length excuse to incorporate these phenomenally well-executed moments; a lesser film would have carelessly tossed together a plot to serve as some sort of loose connecting thread holding these infectiously energetic performances together. The performances, both musical and otherwise, keep Drumline moving at a brisk pace, and despite its two hour runtime, the movie doesn't feel overly long or in any way artificially extended.
Drumline is a smart, well-crafted film with believable, three-dimensional characters, as well as jaw-dropping choreography and musicianship. Following its successful theatrical run, Drumline's release on DVD includes a spectacular Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack and a healthy assortment of supplemental material.
Video: Drumline is presented at an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and is enhanced for widescreen displays. Colors are its most memorable aspect, particularly the distinctive greens of the fields and the bands' bright, vivid uniforms. The image remains reasonably crisp and clear throughout, although the unexceptional level of detail is not particularly striking. The frequent presence of edge haloing definitely dulled my enthusiasm for the overall presentation. Overall, Drumline struck me as more or less average for a major studio release.
A pan-and-scan version is also available as a separate release for the masochistic.
Audio: The heart of Drumline is its music, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is very much reflective of that. The movie really comes to life during the band performances, taking full advantage of the six channels at its disposal. The frequent activity in the surrounds builds an immersive environment even when the performers haven't taken the field. As is to be expected from a percussion-heavy film, the lower frequencies in full effect, tight and crisp, and my subwoofer was rarely idle for any lengthy stretches. The other music scattered throughout the movie also makes effective use of the LFE channel. Stereo separation is solid, and there are a number of very nice pans across the soundstage.
The disc's other audio options include stereo dubs in French and Spanish, subtitles in English and Spanish, and closed captions.
Supplements: Drumline features a fair amount of supplemental material, beginning with an audio commentary with director Charles Stone III. The conversation is very technical in nature, and though I generally enjoy hearing about these aspects of production, I just couldn't get into this discussion. Informative and comprehensive though it may be, the commentary is rather dry and uninvolving. Stone also provides optional commentary for each of the disc's ten deleted scenes. Most of the fifteen minutes or so of footage revolves around the band, including a rehearsal montage, A&T's percussive response to Morris Brown's pop tendencies, and a pair of alternate A&T performances. Devon is also given an opportunity to spend more time with Laila and his father in several of these scenes. The rough, low-resolution footage is letterboxed to 2.35:1 and is not enhanced for widescreen televisions.
A twenty-two minute BET special, hosted by star Nick Cannon, consists primarily of interviews with the cast and crew and letterboxed clips from the movie. Its purpose is to drum up interest in the movie (pun intended), and though it's more comprehensive than the usual "HBO First Look" tripe, the special comes across as more of an extended promotional featurette than a behind-the-scenes documentary.
Also included are a pair of music videos that follow the drumline theme. First up is Joe's "I Want a Girl Like You", featuring Jadakiss, which runs a little over four minutes and is letterboxed to an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. There's also "Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)" by N'Sync's J.C. Chasez (4:30), which features the hopelessly predictable combination of Tara Reid, a camel, and a monster truck. Both trailers feature Dolby Digital 2.0 audio (192Kbps) and non-anamorphic presentations.
On the promotional tip is a thirty second ad for the movie's soundtrack, letterboxed to 1.78:1. Rounding out the extras is a letterboxed scope theatrical trailer for Antoine Fisher (2:34), which includes Dolby Digital stereo audio. Perhaps taking a cue from their competitor Buena Vista, Fox Home Video has opted not to include a trailer for Drumline itself, though reportedly one is included on the Antoine Fisher DVD.
Drumline includes a set of 16x9-enhanced menus, and the movie has been divided into thirty-six chapters.
Conclusion: Drumline offers all of the fun of a breezy summer sports flick without the vapidity. The bands' performances are alone deserving of a rental, and thankfully there's a pretty good movie interconnecting them. This DVD of Drumline looks and sounds great, and the respectable assortment of supplements make a purchase even more appealing. Definitely Recommended.
Related Links: The official Drumline site has more information on the film and its soundtrack, along with a trailer, wallpapers, and a sizeable still gallery.
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