higherall7 African American males often use Music as part of a wonderful learning style and this film is a hilarious and inspiring exposition of this fact. Nick Cannon is on the beat as Devon Miles, a musical prodigy with a gift for rhythm and percussion. Orlando Jones is a revelation as Dr. Lee, a different kind of black hero who uses his mind and his teaching skill to win adventures in learning rather than relying on guns and fists. He easily and naturally reflects the kind of personality that populates many urban environments working tirelessly to raise the tone of the entire community.I also enjoyed the conflict and tension between Cannon's Devon Miles and Leonard Roberts' (of 'Heroes' fame) Sean Taylor, head of the Drum Section at the Southern University Miles has won a scholarship to attend. Once again, as in the movie 'Accepted' the creative nonconformist butts heads with the system and its representatives and learns the value of humility in cultivating natural talent. Something like 'The Natural' with drums, but minus the lightning and the thunder if you discount the emotional fireworks between the lead characters themselves.That's it in a nutshell. The final 'Drum Off' between the two competing Universities at the end of the film captured more about the Black Aesthetic than anything I have seen in a long time. I thought it was a beautiful set piece and kudos to Director Charles Stone III and his Cinematographer Shane Hurlbut. The beautiful thing about this scene was that despite it sensationalistic aspects nobody was maimed or killed to accomplish the ultimate dramatic effect. You can feel the intense passion of the African American to rise above that factor of their legacy that involves oppression and exploitation, but here that angst is discharged creatively rather than destructively.Zoe Saldana (of 'Star Trek' fame) as Laila, the romantic interest of Devon, demonstrates through their relationship the steps our main character must take to socialize his tremendous talent for the greatest benefit to all. J. Anthony Brown makes a worthy adversary as Mr. Wade to Band Leader Dr. Lee before and during the BET Competitions for best University Band in America. But what I really liked was how the story revealed the African American Community seizing Learning and Music as an appropriate choice of weapons for attaining greater freedom with an in-your-face style and panache.

lah-785-481641 Movie review "DRUMLINE" Devon Miles(played by Nick Dannon)is genius in marching drummer. He graduated from high school in New York City after he attends Atlanta A&T University, a historically college that famous a marching band by Dr.Lee(played by Orlando Jones). The band's concept is "one band, one sound". Though he haven't cooperation and don't go with the band's style. Finally he gives up the band, and he contacts the band's rival school....This movie's highlight is marching band's performance and colorful action. It is excited people who watches it. The best of youthful movie for me.

ashleeannek I liked this movie. i saw it when i was a preteen. and i attend the "GREAT BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY" in Florida. When i saw it in theatres i had no idea that six years later, i would be going to one of those black colleges. The movie may have been unrealistic in some areas but overall it was decent. I just don't understand why sooo many people are like "omg thats not what marching band is!!" Maybe you guys need to google historically black colleges and universities. Thats what OUR marching bands are about in case u were too ignorant to figure that out. And someone said something about the dancers and what they were wearing. HELLOOOO thats typical for most HBCU bands. Just because you are ignorant to the fact that marching band is different in the HBCU schools doesn't mean u have to bash the movie. and in case u were wondering i got the best of both worlds. i grew up in a white neighborhood and i WAS in the marching band at my high school so yess its different but both are very good. As for the complaint about the "token white guy" wow...once again i state that i attend an HBCU. Their are plenty of white people, just because its a black school doesn't mean white people aren't allowed to enroll. And know we don't walk around making them feel like they're out of place which i don't think was the intention in the movie.I've asked some whites and hispanics here out of curiosity why they chose to attend an HBCU. Most replied with " i wanted to learn from a different perspective" or something of the sort.P.s. Knowledge really IS your best weapon =)

Robert W. I noticed a common thread in many of the reviews for Drumline on IMDb. Many said the same thing that Drumline surprised them and it was a good thing. I'm not sure many people ever think about a marching band being a true test of music like bands, or dancing, or rock singing and certainly you don't really think of it as competitive and yet out comes Drumline and changes all of that with style and flare. I know nothing about marching bands or American Universities for that matter (yes I am Canadian) so I don't know how much truth there is to the film but it just happens to be very entertaining, fun, touching, and well delivered all around. It's not perfection or award winning or a feat of film making and yet it seems to be something that everyone just sits down and really enjoys. One of the keys to music films is of course the music. The more I like the music personally...the greater the film...consider Dirty Dancing, or Mama Mia, or Hairspray but the odd thing about Drumline is that the music is not typical or any type or brand. They do play modern music with their marching band but the story is what keeps the film afloat and truly entertains.Nick Cannon is cocky but brutally talented Devon Miles. Cannon holds the role very well. He comes across as smart, and well spoken and talented but his character is very entertaining and has quite an arc to his story throughout the film. Zoe Saldana is Devon's love interest in the film. Saldana is a talented actress, I've seen her perform very well but other than being a love interest she doesn't really get a whole lot to deal with in her character. The character is under developed unfortunately but Saldana and Cannon make a good couple with great chemistry between them. Orlando Jones is terrific and gives truly a stand out performance as Dr. Lee, the leader of the marching band. Jones gives a moving performance and really gives the film nearly all of it's heart and power.Director Charles Stone III is seemingly new to the directors chair for Hollywood films but he seems to hold his own making a spectacle of marching bands. The sheer concept seems ludicrous and yet marching bands and the entire competition never seemed so exciting and entertaining. I am actually surprised that the film makers didn't decide to milk this film for straight to DVD sequels although there is still time. So if you're looking for something light hearted with some intense competition and yet something completely different from other films in the same genre this one is almost certain to entertain you. A solid film. 8/10