The film could have been much better...or not because its intrinsic falsehood condemns it from the start. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Nov 3, 2022

While watching Pump Up the Volume I was amazed that such an anti-establishment movie was produced by 1990’s mainstream Hollywood.

Full Review | Sep 8, 2022

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | May 12, 2022

Allan Moyle's angsty coming-of-age romp...

Full Review | Dec 9, 2021

If you don't mind (or even like) the standard teen fare that is the stuff such movies are made of, there are a couple of good reasons to see this one.

Full Review | May 21, 2020

Call it Rebel With a Cause, and listen good, because it's the most frank, startling and radically opinionated movie ever made for young viewers.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 1, 2020

'Pump Up The Volume' Still Shines In Its Exploration of Depression and Trauma

Full Review | Nov 5, 2019

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.

Full Review | May 27, 2016

Sharply uneven, this teen-angst feature begins exgremely well with some relevant social commentary; it also put on the map Christian Slater as a talent to watch.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Jan 8, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Sep 7, 2011

Slater is Moyle's generator, powering the film through some sludgy melodramatics, and while his separation of Mark and Hard Harry is practically Kabuki theater, the effort is just wonderful.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Aug 30, 2010

Much more than a teen movie....an experience, and one you'll never forget. TURN IT UP LOUD!

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 3, 2006

The perfectly cast Slater effectively propels the film, his intensity and dry delivery giving it a definite edge, as does a soundtrack which includes Ice T, Concrete Blonde and the Cowboy Junkies.

Full Review | Feb 9, 2006

Fast paced with a satisfyingly unhappy ending.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 3, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 20, 2005

A teen anthem and guilty pleasure.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 21, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Aug 2, 2004

Underrated.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 12, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 4, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 4, 2004