MovieChat Forums > Pump Up the Volume (1990) Discussion > I love this film, but...

I love this film, but...

posted 20 years ago by pedrolapacas
34 replies | jump to latest

the ending overdub of all the teens starting their own pirate radio stations...how can I say this...sucks cheez whiz through a straw. This film was supposed to be edgy, kids cursing, suicide, and the such. It works for the most part, despite the Asian geek from Degrassi Jr. High discussing c**k rings with his buddy. The end takes all of the wind out of this film's sails. It would have been better if it was left out entirely. The kids asking, "...can anyone out there hear me," is retarded. I wish for my sake the answer was no. And do these people really think teen runaways are taking the time to listen to pirate radio. They're busy turning tricks for crack and lunch money. I just needed to get this off my chest. Thank you for your time.

P.S. Don't even get me started on Concrete Blonde singing "Everybody Knows" on the soundtrack instead of Leonard Cohen.

[–] The_Beardman_Cometh 17 years ago

It's funny: now that you point it out, it is a pretty offensive bit of heavy-handedness. But shockingly, given the number of times I watched this in high school, it never really stood out.

Perhaps I was just too busy wondering where the hell that gigantic penis came from in the scene where they play "Kick Out The Jams" and the students are tearing around outside the school. Where, I asked myself, did they just find a huge cock? It bugged me. It really did.

[–] noblefreak 17 years ago

Honestly, I think most of you are too cynical for your own good. Heaven forbid we have something positive like this to end the movie.

[–] wolfinspirit 17 years ago

Once again imdb message board participants totally miss the point of a movie. Imagine that! ugh.

The film wasn't all about being edgy and teens committing suicide. One of the main themes of the movie is, "The truth is a virus"... So the truth gets spread again and again by kids speaking out in whatever way they can, Some may be edgy. Some not.

The film was about not being afraid to speak the truth... finding YOUR voice.... not conforming to society just for the sake of conformity.

[–] carcuss1970-1 17 years ago

I don't really have an opinion about the end of the movie. I just think Samantha Mathis is HOT!!

2,4,6,8,10,12,14....Eat your heart out Ann Miller!

[–] metaspheres 17 years ago

You're right about that - I've had a major crush on Mathis from the very day I saw this film. She is seriously something else. Unfortunately, she is pro-PETA. But life ain't perfect, so what the hell can you do.

And as for the rest of y'all hating and bagging on the ending, the hell with ya bunch of pompous yuppies. That movie directly resulted in a massive resurgence in youth interest in pirate radio broadcasting, which previously had been the sole domain of geeks who read fringe magazines like "2600" and "Phrack."

Now, you might say that most youth pirate radio broadcasts at the time were nowhere near the level of Hard Harry, focusing much more on music and prank phone calls and the like, but hey, kids will be kids. And if you don't or can't respect that, well then, do the world a favour and kill yourself.

[–] wheezledick 17 years ago

Know what you mean about Mathis. That scene where she's standing close to Slater in his basement, staring at him and touching her lips with her tongue, wanting him to kiss her, just puts me into a trance.

Makes me want to buy a c0ckring...

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sublime1109 12 years ago

it's a metaphor

Now where's that cake?

[–] selfademus 8 years ago

The Concrete Blonde version is in the film.

[–] majorcrimestv 8 years ago

I know. It's at the end. But it still sucks. And not having the Leonard Cohen version on the soundtrack is a travesty.

P.S. I stole their beer when they played the 9:30 Club in D.C.

[–] MoviemanCin 8 years ago

My review of this film: Meh.

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar and doesn't.

[–] sonoftom 8 years ago

Sort of the same but i did rate it high because of its amazing soundtrack.

I am the son of a man named Tom.

[–] crypticanomaly73 8 years ago

The irony is that despite most of the kids being there and now knowing who each other are and how they have all bonded because of Happy Harry that once it's over instead of continuing to bond but in person now they cocoon themselves off and try and be the lone voice in the night.

Just talk to each other!

And yes, Concrete Blonde on the soundtrack irked me as well.

Sometimes a movie or tv show plot is so stupid that only the stupid can understand it.

[–] Artisan (3464) 4 years ago

It does miss the whole point. Happy Harry was broadcasting but didn't expect or care if anyone was out there it was all self therapy for him really.

The teens at the end are purposely trying replicate his success.

But it is a metaphor in regards to the FCC silencing him they just opened up a can of worms. In that respect I do find it interesting.