Justin's Rating: 1 "Twist" and 2 "Shouts"
Justin's Review: Before the internet, we closet anarchists had to find an outlet for our frustrations and opinions through any means possible. I remember arriving at college in 1994 and receiving my first radio spot (a 2 hour-a-week show). It might have been in a dungy basement with an average of three listeners, but that open mike and anonymity gave me a freedom that I never thought possible. I had found my Voice.

This is a similar situation at the outset of Pump Up The Volume. Before a cheesy opening title sequence, we are introduced to new kid Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), who recently arrived at a suburbinite Nevada town. Mark is pathologically shy, and the only way he can express his rage and feelings are through his underground radio broadcasts, where he calls himself "Happy Harry Hardon" (a poke at the local high school's letters: Hubret Humphry High), talks about sex and teachers and other fun teenage subjects. He's not out to change the world, but just to identify with everyone else.

And so Hard Harry's 10 p.m. broadcasts become legendary in this small town, as the teenagers start to rebel against the socialist high school (which has all the stereotypes: the Hitler principle, the heavy disciplinarian, the useless guidance councilor, and the one understanding English teacher -- it's always the English teachers!). Nora (Samantha Mathis) dedicates part of her existance to finding out who this radio stud is, and tracks Mark down ruthlessly (it's funny how quickly she does this, and how noone else before her could).

After a kid calls into the show and commits suicide, Mark discovers that his show has truly sparked passion and meaning into the aimless teenage lives around them. They need Hard Harry to show them that they're not alone (since the parents -- at their PTA meetings -- do not) and Hard Harry becomes the figurehead in a crusade to fight the tyranny and also show teens that someone cares.

It's preachy and swimming in angst, but sometimes you just need that sort of thing. Teens do go through crap that we often forget about, and Pump Up The Volume is probably one of the best cries for help that I've ever heard. Slater is convincing and mesmorizing in his role (Mathis, on the other hand, is sort of an active conscience that takes her shirt off to keep people interested). If the film had merely focused on the depressing topics it presents, it would have been an extreme turn-off. But Hard Harry's broadcasts are a riot to behold, and there is enough action and suspense to keep the viewer riveted. After all, we all have wanted to be Hard Harry at some point in our lives, shouting out against injustice and wanting anyone, anyone to listen.

Recommended for:
The Radio Underground
Persons between the ages of 13 and 19
Persons who have once been between the ages of 13 and 19

The Movie Store!
Pump Up The Volume: Movie [VHS]
Pump Up The Volume: Soundtrack [CD]

Intermission!
Reportedly, all of the smoking that Christian Slater's character did on screen made him violently ill during filming.

Radio Quotes:

Mark: I'm dedicating this unusual song to an unusual person who makes me feel kind of... unusual.

Mark: "Talk hard," I like that. It's like a dirty thought in a nice clean mind.

Mark: They think you're moody, make 'em think you're crazy. Make 'em think you're about to snap. They say you got attitude, you show 'em some real attitude!

Mark: I say do it. I don't care what, just do it. Jam me, jack me, push me, pull me, talk hard!

Mark: Now I'm depressed. Now I feel like killing myself, but luckly I'm too depressed to bother.

Mark: Sometimes being a teenager is worse than being dead.

Mark: Being a teenager sucks. But that's the whole point! Surviving is the whole point.

Mark: This is Hard Harry reminding you to eat your cereal with a fork, and do your homework in the dark.

Mark: I just love being the rap king of Arizona.

If you liked this movie, try these:
Heathers
Good Morning, Vietnam
Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Soundtrack Review: This is a terrific CD full of songs perfect if you want to sit and stew in melancholy. Included are the featured "Everybody Knows" (by Concrete Blonde), my favorite "Why Can't I Fall In Love" (Ivan Neville), "Stand", and a slew of other late-night hits.