Walking into Bandslam, I will admit, prejudice got the better of me. This was Vanessa Hudgens, in a musical, in a high school. I couldn’t imagine something likely to annoy me more as the premise for a film. Can you say typecast?!?

Within about 5 minutes however, this is forgotten, as one of the most touching 100 minutes of cinema this year unfolds. The story does not focus on Hudgens character, Sa5m (the 5 is silent), but rather follows Will Burton, a music addict who could tell you everything about an obscure 1972 b-side but nothing about normal human interaction. Brilliantly portrayed by newcomer Gaelan Connell, we quickly learn that he is living in the shadow of his fathers misdoings, picked on by everyone at his school. That is until his mum gets a transfer to a new job, and Will has to move schools.

He finds his new surroundings as obsessed by music as he is - all leading up to a huge interschools battle-of-the-bands style event - Bandslam.

Quickly befriending Sa5m, as well as Alyson Michalka’s (the dorkier among you will know her from Disney Channel’s Phil Of the Future) character, Charlotte, with whom he manages a band who he hopes can have a hope at winning Bandslam away from The Glorydogs, the most popular band in school.

From this simple premise, deep, likeable characters are woven. They all have a backstory, they all have a reason to be there. There are truely no extras in this movie - everyone’s character is as important as the rest. Even Hudgens, who’s acting talent I would have put beside that of your average flee, is incredible in this weird, outsider role. If Zefron failed to escape Troy Bolton in 17 Again, Vanessa more than manages to escape the heels of Gabriella, and create a much more rounded character.

If you’re looking for HSM4, you’re not going to find it here, but thats great. This is a movie which sets out its stall early - it’s about Will, and how he has turned to music to get past his issues, and how ultimately this rubs off on his friends. Its not cheesy, its not about random dance numbers in the high school cafeteria, the rocking is reserved for the stage, where it belongs.

100 minutes ago, I’d have never said something like this but I’m going to go there, and yes, I’m going to mean it: A movie with Vanessa Hudgens has just become one of my favourite movies this year.

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