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      Pump Up the Volume

      R Released Aug 22, 1990 1 hr. 45 min. Drama List
      79% 39 Reviews Tomatometer 85% 25,000+ Ratings Audience Score In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave radio. Broadcasting as "Hard Harry," Hunter uses his pirate radio show to rant against the injustices and hypocrisies taking place in the area, and in society in general. Hunter conceals his off-air identity, but a determined student (Samantha Mathis) discovers the truth, while Principal Creswood (Annie Ross) seeks to shut down Hunter once and for all. Read More Read Less
      Pump Up the Volume

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      Critics Consensus

      Pump Up the Volume can be a bit overbearing, but this is one teen drama with the courage of its convictions -- and a killer soundtrack.

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      Audience Reviews

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      cameron c Would have been 4 stars if I was 20, 5 stars if I was 15. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/22/24 Full Review Jason M Honestly, this movie always holds a place in my heart. I love the Free Speech implications here and the message of breaking out and being yourself. We need more of this messaging Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/24 Full Review Allen R Some of the "shock jock" gags are more gross than funny, but the story of a introvert kid finding their voice on the air and standing up to the corrupt officials is engaging. It does end abruptly as it would be nice to have some closure with the kid's parents. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/12/23 Full Review Emanuel G This is one of two movies that changed my life back in the days. Highly recommed it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a very good and underrated movie. Shades of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Network, Talk Radio, Dead Poets Society and others, and somewhat of a precursor to a movie like Pleasantville. Christian Slater and Samantha Mantis are each excellent, and the film is surprisingly subversive for its era, taking on topics like suicide, homophobic bullying, censorship, anti-Capitalist angst and corruption in academia. It would be very interesting to watch a current sequel of this movie with a 50-year-old Slater and Mathis musing about what happened to them as they--the rebellious "don't trust anyone over 30" rabble-rousers--became the adults they had once protested against. The ending is predictable but does not sully the message in the final few minutes. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review isa e Is a great film, relatable characters, convey frustration of being a teen very well. Loved the soundtrack, acting was top notch, the chemistry between leads was amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Pump Up the Volume

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      Critics Reviews

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      Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader The fact that it does this simply and unabashedly gives the critic little to work with; it's all there, right on the surface, with nothing to decode–just a dream, and a dream of an idea, that it asks us to share and celebrate. And better yet, emulate. Rated: 4/4 May 12, 2022 Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire As a movie, 'Pump Up the Volume' is a lot like a teenager: at times unbearably self-important and pretentious (Nora's poems, good lord), yet undeniably, and admirably, earnest. May 27, 2016 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: C- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) The film could have been much better...or not because its intrinsic falsehood condemns it from the start. [Full review in Spanish] Nov 3, 2022 Full Review Christopher Wittke Gay Community News (Boston) While watching Pump Up the Volume I was amazed that such an anti-establishment movie was produced by 1990’s mainstream Hollywood. Sep 8, 2022 Full Review Jas Keimig The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Allan Moyle's angsty coming-of-age romp... Dec 9, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave radio. Broadcasting as "Hard Harry," Hunter uses his pirate radio show to rant against the injustices and hypocrisies taking place in the area, and in society in general. Hunter conceals his off-air identity, but a determined student (Samantha Mathis) discovers the truth, while Principal Creswood (Annie Ross) seeks to shut down Hunter once and for all.
      Director
      Allan Moyle
      Executive Producer
      Syd Cappe, Sara Risher, Nicolas Stiliadis
      Screenwriter
      Allan Moyle
      Distributor
      New Line Cinema
      Production Co
      New Line Cinema, SC Entertainment
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 22, 1990, Wide
      Release Date (DVD)
      Aug 15, 2000
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $11.5M
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Dolby