Discuss Pump Up the Volume
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This is one of my favorite 90's movies. It has its flaws but what movie from that time and genre hasn't. Christian Slater's best performance in my opinion because he plays several different characters and does it so well.
The movie deals with teen angst and serious issues in a way that to my knowledge hasn't been done before. Instead of trying to take control of the problem itself, they make a collective statement that they simply won't put up with it anymore and hope that their voices will be heard. Unfortunately, sometimes this can lead to matters falling through the cracks. In their youth they are too naive to see what's important and the revolt becomes everything. Hard Harry inadvertently leads them as a stranger in the night with words they never knew they wanted to hear. But, something really good comes out of it eventually.
Reply by Howard Burns
on September 24, 2017 at 4:09 AM
Yes this an early 90s classic for sure. Very rewatchable and quotable. Also agree that it's probably Slater's best and certainly one of his most memorable roles. At the time I could relate to his introverted character in school & it made me wish I had an outlet like he did on the radio.
Reply by JustinJackFlash
on September 24, 2017 at 1:24 PM
I'm surprised it's not more well known. I would have thought it would be a film that was fondly remembered like many of the 80s teen films are. It has more to say for itself than many of them.
Reply by Jana
on September 24, 2017 at 2:19 PM
My guess is that it's because it's more political and progressive than your average 90's teen movie. All through the 80's we saw nothing but depressed and bullied kids who hated school, nerds, geeks and outsiders. Look at the teen movies that came after "Pump Up"; "Jawbreaker", "Clueless", "Varsity Blues", "She's All That", "American Pie", and the list goes on. Actually two movies stands out according to me, "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Empire Records" that happens to be another one of Allan Moyle's movies.
Most of the youngsters were probably fed up with the Bender fist-in-the-air move that was the 80's, now they wanted to welcome the age of love and fun. (and oh boy did the 90's deliver). How many movies did Julia Roberts star in?