An action-packed slog

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The movie is surprisingly subdued in its pacing, its characterizations, and its go-for-broke sensibilities.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

They never show this anymore, but back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and independent channels showed movies rather than infomercials, I watched this about eight times in five years. It is cheesy beyond belief, but also heartwarming, compelling and realistic in how it portrayed the angst of high school losers. Charles Martin Smith is a talented actor and effectively plays the lead loser. He has slept-walk through his high school years and wants his last year to be something special. He starts a band with some fellow students and their aim is to win the "Battle of the Bands", but in their way is Rapid Fire, a hard rock band in the 70's tradition. They are blown dried studs with open shirts and tight pants. With all Ron Howard's success, I cannot believe this little gem hasn't made it to video or DVD. But then again, this was before Howard's formula was established and this demo embarrasses him.

I attended Lake Highlands in '84-'86 and some of the staff extras in the Movie were still working when I went through. I still love to watch the movie because of the nostalgia when I see all my old haunts. The school still hasn't changed much and I can place almost all the scenes of the school. I was lucky enough to get a decent VHS recording off of it back in 84 and I still drag it out every few months to watch it commercial free. It's just not in good enough shape to try to transfer it to disc. I'm hoping they release Skyward on DVD eventually as well. Another film right here in Dallas...mostly Mesquite this time though. Man, Bette Davis. Some high power acting for such a small film and director (at the time).

I actually haven't seen this movie in several years, but I do remember enjoying it. The story is cheesy at best, but entertaining nonetheless. There are two things most notable to myself. Firstly, the rival band in the flick repeatedly delivered an interesting rendition of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." Secondly, the Battle of the Bands scenes were shot at Town East Mall, which is about 3 miles from my home. I was 10 years old when the film aired, and I thought that featuring a local "monument" was pretty cool. Ron Howard did the directing, and, of course, his brother Clint has a part. In this case, Clint has a lead role. It's a far cry from the bit part that Clint played in "Apollo 13."

I can't speak for the average viewer, but if you were ever part of a neighborhood rock band that fantisized greatness while playing on drum sets obtained with S&H green stamps and guitars from the local Sears & Roebuck, then this film will reconnect you with your youth. From band managers, to battles of the bands, to playing your own original songs, to the love story we all imagined, to the popularity we all dreamed of, it's all there. The tunes are simple but catchy, and the ending is what fun movies are made of. If you never played in a neighborhood rock band, you may not relate. :+)