81 reviews
I thought this was a nice escape to very busy Saturday. It wasn't great but I was entertained. It took me back to my childhood. I enjoyed the movie more when they were away from the skating rink though. That could have been the whole movie. I really hate ignorant people that rate movies without even seeing them. All those people on here voting and gave the movie a 1 rating are just trying to bring the numbers for this film down. It doesn't deserve that. And I wish people on IMDb that vote like that would grow the hell up. So if you are one of those people that vote before they see film. Go play with yourself instead. And this goes to the people that give films the 10 ratings without seeing the film. Let's be as accurate as we can people and keep this the best internet site, or source period, for films.
Engaging disco fantasy set in 1978 from writer Norman Vance, Jr., who seems to have overdosed on a mixture of roller-boogie movies and reruns of "What's Happening!!" Five teenage friends from the Southside of Chicago are let down after their local skating rink is closed for good, forcing them into the city's deluxe roller palace, where all the coolest cats hang out; soon they're engaged in a winner-take-all skating contest. Since there were absolutely no decent movies made about the roller disco craze during the 1970s, it's nice to finally get a good one. However, Bow Wow's broken family dynamic--which chews up far too much of the screen-time--is doggedly sincere and "emotional". Perhaps showing more skating practice on the boys' part might have been more beneficial to the big showdown at the finale. That last act is pure commercial pandering, nearly losing the film's heart and comically-grounded focus. The cinematography is disappointing, as is the editing, although the cast is uniformly excellent and the music is terrifically energized: disco never sounded so good! **1/2 from ****
- moonspinner55
- Feb 1, 2008
- Permalink
I think this movie was marketed wrong, when seeing the trailers I assumed the majority of the movie was about the roller skating, not quite enough to get me in to see it. In reality there are a lot of hearty story lines that attract you to the characters on an emotional level.
The Sweetness character is a hilarious disco stereotype and it couldn't have been played better.
I think a nod should be given to Bow Wow, who stands out as one of the few who crossover from singing to acting very well...especially for someone his age. Hopefully he plays some more serious roles and gains some more respect.
The Sweetness character is a hilarious disco stereotype and it couldn't have been played better.
I think a nod should be given to Bow Wow, who stands out as one of the few who crossover from singing to acting very well...especially for someone his age. Hopefully he plays some more serious roles and gains some more respect.
- spilledmarbles-1
- Dec 18, 2005
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Between 1978 and 1990, I spent ten hours a week on skates, and was part of a performing troupe for part of that. The soundtrack was great... many authentic songs. It's too bad the movie wasn't set a few years later instead of 78... I really would have enjoyed some Run-DMC and Daz Band and Gap Band in the mix.
And the moves were indeed real. I kept shuffling my feet as I watched, bringing back all that muscle memory. Alas, at age 43, my knees would snap in two if I tried any of those stunts today.
I cringed every time they showed some break dancing moves though. For a movie set in 1978, there shouldn't have been any break dancing moves at all, because that didn't make it to the roller floor until 82 or 83 or so, as it gained popularity outside the roller floor as well. Sure, there were spins and tricks and wiggle-waggle feet and moves from classic ballet-style roller dancing on the rollerdisco floor, but nobody jumped down and did headspin. Ick. Bad research!
And the moves were indeed real. I kept shuffling my feet as I watched, bringing back all that muscle memory. Alas, at age 43, my knees would snap in two if I tried any of those stunts today.
I cringed every time they showed some break dancing moves though. For a movie set in 1978, there shouldn't have been any break dancing moves at all, because that didn't make it to the roller floor until 82 or 83 or so, as it gained popularity outside the roller floor as well. Sure, there were spins and tricks and wiggle-waggle feet and moves from classic ballet-style roller dancing on the rollerdisco floor, but nobody jumped down and did headspin. Ick. Bad research!
- imdbmerlyn
- Sep 24, 2005
- Permalink
In the late '70s when roller skating is all youngsters were doing, X (Bow Wow) and his pals ruled at it. But when the doors of their local skating rink close, they feel it is the end, there is another skating rink that they don't like to attend - uptown's Sweetwater Roller Rink, complete with its over-the-top skaters and beautiful girls. Preparing for a skate off later that week, X and his friends have to work together and win as a team.
Roll Bounce is Bow Wow's second lead roll in a film. I have to say he wasn't bad. He's a good actor. There is a scene when X and his father are arguing and he gives a performance that I thought was well. But I have to say that his rapping isn't so good. I feel that he acts better than her raps, and that's not a good thing. There were other young actors and I thought that they will be getting some roles later in their career.This also is a good movie. I enjoyed it. You will have watching this because I did. There were some in jokes that you can laugh at, the story is good and the acting is well done. I remember the movie "You Got Served" which I thought that wasn't a good movie. The acting in that movie was terrible and watching Roll Bounce, you know which is a better movie.
This is a fun movie and I am recommending it. People will enjoy this film. 7.5/10
Roll Bounce is Bow Wow's second lead roll in a film. I have to say he wasn't bad. He's a good actor. There is a scene when X and his father are arguing and he gives a performance that I thought was well. But I have to say that his rapping isn't so good. I feel that he acts better than her raps, and that's not a good thing. There were other young actors and I thought that they will be getting some roles later in their career.This also is a good movie. I enjoyed it. You will have watching this because I did. There were some in jokes that you can laugh at, the story is good and the acting is well done. I remember the movie "You Got Served" which I thought that wasn't a good movie. The acting in that movie was terrible and watching Roll Bounce, you know which is a better movie.
This is a fun movie and I am recommending it. People will enjoy this film. 7.5/10
I actually enjoyed this movie. I wasn't expecting to like it nearly as much as I did. It's a great family movie for older kids (10+), and it was a fairly accurate look back into 1978. All of the lead actors did great work. Bow Wow should be proud (although it's time to start using his real name I think). And the skating and practice it must have taken to get that down is noteworthy. The only thing that didn't work for me was the skating guy who handed out skates. What's with the Jimi Hendrix look? Would that have been accurate in 1978? Well, a few things regarding the time period may have slipped through. But those are just minor details. Cute movie. I enjoyed it.
- athenazengaia
- Dec 20, 2005
- Permalink
this movie has some bright moments to it. Mostly because of the subject matter and the fact that they had the god sense to have the song Rol Bounce in it. It mostly shows that roller skating is fun and its probably a nice movie for mom and the kids to see but with regard to race which came up in a lot of earlier posts there was a bit more comment on race in this movie than in a comparable film like Lords of Dogtown,but not so much to distract from a universal if nostalgic appeal. The camera-work disappointed me a bit during the skate scenes and i thought they could have been a bit more creative and played up the whole art of movement thing that you get with rollerskating. I only saw it on a small screen though and imagine it would be better on the moviescreen with a booming system than on bootleg (albeit a high quality one). Bow wow was actually much better in this movie than in that Like Mike thing and I would say has potential to do well as an actor if he improves at this rate. The material he had to work with was not so good though, although a more accomplished young actor might have done only a bit better. Mostly the movie made me thing "I wonder if there is a roller-disco anywhere in town?" cos it looks fun.. till the skin on your ankles start to chafe from the cheap rentals that it.
This weekend, we saw a movie that effortlessly combines '70s nostalgia, social and family drama, athleticism and some really fine performances into one gem of a movie -- "Roll Bounce," a very sweet coming-of-age movie about semi-urban teens in the age of roller disco. I'm not kidding -- this movie doesn't hit a single wrong note. The fashions, the phrases, the world depicted are perfect late '70s. The acting is spot-on, and features one of the most real father- son relationships I've ever seen on film. Chi McBride, as the father, brings a quiet but heavy dignity to the role, and his interaction with Bow Wow is just real. No clichés, no nonsense. That makes it all sound heavy when in fact it's beautiful -- and the movie is very very funny, not afraid to play up the silliest sides of the '70s soul and disco scenes with some characters that would have been at home in the heyday of Parliament, an outlandish appearance by Wayne Brady (and a lesser one by DMC, or, as my kids now know, "D's for never Dirty, MC's for Mostly Clean."). Plus, a couple of scenes with Charlie Murphy that were happily expanded in the "gag reel," which is the only part of the disc really not suitable for children. Let me put it this way -- it's been a LONG time since I watched a movie two nights in a row.
- cjohnson12144
- Jan 22, 2006
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Unrealistic. A poor mix of acting and skating. The movie could have been very entertaining if accomplished skaters did the acting. Instead, ordinary actors who couldn't skate, had poorly choreographed skating dubbed in. Adults watching this movie will need to drink a six-pack, to make it watchable. Not showing the heads of the actors, as they supposedly skated made the film hard to watch. Conversely, showing the heads of the actors, as they faked skating, compounded the agony. It is a fine movie, if you like juvenile, predictable, plot lines. It's a movie that makes one wish blue-screens and green-screen were never invented!
This movie brought back memories long forgotten. I loved to skate as a kid and this movie inspired me to start skating again. I've lost some of the skills I once had...but I recently purchased some new skates and I will be a permanent fixture at the Skating rink. It made me remember how much I loved skating, and watching all the skaters get their jam on was out of this world! Great movie for all ages!! My kids and I will spend a lot of quality time in the rink! If you like good music, super, phenomenal skating skills, go see this movie...you won't regret it. I was jamming in my seat when the music and skating was taking place and I'm sure you will do the same...Enjoy!
- kevin-r-crupper
- Jan 3, 2006
- Permalink
In 'Roll Bounce' Bow Wow plays X, a kid from South Chicago that loves to skate. Unfortunately, the local skating rink is being shutdown. So X and his friends have to commute up north to the Sweetwater skating rink. Are these south-side kids going to be able to fit in? Set in the late seventies, this is a Family movie is about some kids from the hood trying a different environment and fit in. They don't get a lot of respect at the new rink, so they have to prove themselves at the upcoming skate off. But X has a lot of other problems to deal with. His mom just passed away, his dad is out of work and everyone is having difficulty adjusting. Overall this was not a bad movie. I did think it was a little too goofy for my tastes. It is a little bit like 'Dogtown' meets 'Next Friday'.
Apart from Bow Wow (formerly Li'l Bow Wow), there a many upcoming stars in this film. Rick Gonzalez (Coach Carter, War of the Worlds), Khleo Thomas (Holes) and Nick Cannon (Drumline) all star in this movie. Chi McBride (Undercover Brother) also has a really performance as X's father.
Apart from Bow Wow (formerly Li'l Bow Wow), there a many upcoming stars in this film. Rick Gonzalez (Coach Carter, War of the Worlds), Khleo Thomas (Holes) and Nick Cannon (Drumline) all star in this movie. Chi McBride (Undercover Brother) also has a really performance as X's father.
- Movieguy_blogs_com
- Sep 20, 2005
- Permalink
Somebody wrote and I quote: "Spot jamming, dancing on skates in one spot, did not appear until the early 1980s." That comnent is absolutely FALSE. We were spot jamming/dancing on our roller skates when were
children in the 60's and 70's. I would not DARE imply we got that started on the 60's or 70's. Spot jamming probably began way before my generation came on the scene. It maybe began in the 40's and 50's. I just never thought we created that. For anybody to say "spot jamming/ dancing on skates in one spot did not appear until the early 80's clearly never lived in Detroit.
This is a great slice of fake nostalgia - the 70s never was so clean or easy but this is a fun family movie with roller skating as the theme.
With a number of threads to the plot, coping with grief, new neighbors, closing of their Southside skating rink etc; this was complex enough to keep adults interested.
Above all Bow Wow yet again delivers a great performance. He has a brilliant charm here, modest and likable, but fresh in places. It all just works really well. The skating is great fun and the music is good too.
This is a fun and funny movie about being a teenager in the 1970s and deserves a wide audience.
Recommended
With a number of threads to the plot, coping with grief, new neighbors, closing of their Southside skating rink etc; this was complex enough to keep adults interested.
Above all Bow Wow yet again delivers a great performance. He has a brilliant charm here, modest and likable, but fresh in places. It all just works really well. The skating is great fun and the music is good too.
This is a fun and funny movie about being a teenager in the 1970s and deserves a wide audience.
Recommended
- intelearts
- Oct 25, 2009
- Permalink
Yeah, I know this is supposed to be good lighthearted fun and escapist, even though some of the material is kind of heavy. I get it. However, if yo are going to make a major Hollywood picture, writing and acting have to mean something. The writing and acting in this thing are both dismal. It was hard not to laugh or at least frown when some of the more serious scenes were being acted in the most wooden and fashion. Sorry, horrible movie.
We saw Roll Bounce this afternoon. It was exactly what I expected it to be. A predictable, exaggerated, silly, corny, inauthentic 70's nostalgia-fest.
We loved it! Seriously, it's probably in our top five for the year thus far. It was so much fun. Even the dramatic, serious moments were good and not laughable. My husband said afterwards he was thinking how funny it was that an emotional scene in an otherwise fluffy, insubstantial feel-good movie could evoke more feeling in him than all two hours of The Constant Gardener, for example.
Anyhow, we've both been a good mood ever since, we just had a great time at the movies. It was nice to see a good, clean, wholesome family movie that doesn't suck.
We loved it! Seriously, it's probably in our top five for the year thus far. It was so much fun. Even the dramatic, serious moments were good and not laughable. My husband said afterwards he was thinking how funny it was that an emotional scene in an otherwise fluffy, insubstantial feel-good movie could evoke more feeling in him than all two hours of The Constant Gardener, for example.
Anyhow, we've both been a good mood ever since, we just had a great time at the movies. It was nice to see a good, clean, wholesome family movie that doesn't suck.
- candy_flesh
- Oct 7, 2005
- Permalink
This movie brings back a lot of memories for me as I spent hundreds of hours at the roller rink in the 70's. The music, the clothes and the Sweetwater Roller Rink was great. Although the movie has some continuity goofs, overall it's good and I enjoy watching it over and over. I especially like the fact that the ending left an "open door" for a sequel. I would like to see X and Sweetness team up and go against a new skating team or X's father and Tori's mother get together, buy the old Palisades Garden rink and reopen it. I see several story lines for a sequel involving X, Sweetness, Tori, Naomi and the Garden Boys.
- joemystery2004
- Oct 23, 2005
- Permalink
In this world of violence and rage, I found this movie a nice return to a simpler time. I was 15 in 1978 and skated a few times a week. I wish the rink I went to was as fun as these, but the nostalgia was great. I see a lot of films that put me to sleep, this one left me feeling like dancing and skating! If you hate Nick Cannon, he's really not in the film much. I barely even recognized Bow Wow. I thought he did a good job in this film. My 13 year old daughter liked it, my 9 year old didn't really get it, but my husband and I loved the music and enjoyed this film very much. Give it a chance. It is for all ages and races. This is a nice little escape from the real world. Take it lightly and take it for what it is...just a bit of fun. Enjoy life for a couple of hours.
- jacksmom-1
- Sep 24, 2005
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- ElmStreetsLastBrat
- Apr 8, 2007
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I loved this movie. I didn't think I would but I found myself glued to the set. Bow Wow did a good job and the young cast of guys as his friends were funny. I also love the to girls. The character Tori reminds me of a girl from school was was an ugly duckling on minute then the next she's a hottie. Megan Good is just AMAZINGLY beautiful. Sweetness was SOOOOOO funny. Just the way that character was written just was awesome. I also loved his group that rolled with him. They were funny as well. Mike Epps and Charlie Murphy providing the comic relief was a great touch. All in all it was well worth the watch and I just might rewatch again one day.It wasn't the greatest thing ever but it wasn't as bad as most people have said it was.
- jodyenero01
- Aug 16, 2007
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