5/5 I really enjoyed it
  by PantsOnFire
I finally got around to seeing Roll Bounce and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you grew up in the late 70's and early 80's and frequented the skating rinks you are going to have a blast to the past and a good time. Enjoy.

5/5 One Fun Trip Back in Time...
  by Kelli N. (Texas)
I was 7 years old in 1978, and the first time I saw this movie, which was on cable over a year ago, was like taking a trip in a time capsule. I honestly felt like I was back in the late '70s, during the days of Jimmy Carter, "What's Happening", and Fat Albert, which are all mentioned during the course of the film. The music, and pop culture references are very accurate. Of course, when the song "Roll Bounce" is played, I couldn't help but smile, and point out that song came out in 1980, but with that being the title of the movie, I let that one pass;-) I only noticed one small error in regards to '70s life. This was the scene where the guys are watching "Soul Train" one afternoon. The stage/setting was not like that in 1978. It looked more like a clip from around 1972 instead. Again, this is such of a minor oversight, it does not at all take away from the movie. The feel and essence of the late '70s is captured beautifully. There was a simplicity then which I cannot quite describe, but then again, I do not have to. The movie did it for me! I could not believe the the precision. It reminded me what a fun time that era was to grow up in. It truly was a great time to be a kid, and after seeing "Roll Bounce" just ONCE, you will see what the experience was like in specific detail.

4/5 A good teen film that anyone can enjoy.
  by Mike (Here and There)
Synopsis: It's Chicago in 1978. Xavier "X" Smith (Bow Wow) has aspirations of being a top roller skater. Adversity is working against him though, as his mother died leaving his dad (Chi McBride) to raise he and his sister on a working class income. Unfortunately, the local roller rink had to close, forcing he and his friends to go to the Sweetwater roller rink, which is in a more upper-class (read: snobby) neighborhood. X and his crew get belittled by the rink's clerk Bernard (Nick Cannon) while getting shown up by the Sweetwater Rollers and the star of the rink, a skater with the gift of game named Sweetness (Wesley Jonathan). Despite all that, X remains affirmed by his loyal friend Naomi (Meagan Good), with whom the relationship starts to turn romantic. Meanwhile, his dad is going through the struggles of adjusting to single fatherhood while trying to give his son the right direction in life. How will he and his dad end up? And will X be able to prove to everyone he can be an elite roller skater?

Now, I was changing through the channels when I left whatever station that was broadcasting this on. I came back, it was starting and I was like "Bow Wow and Nick Cannon? I dunno..." But then I noticed Chi McBride (who's actually one of my favorite actors as of late) so I was like "... go on..." and decided to watch the film. I'm glad I changed my mind because I really liked it, and if you met me you'd probably be like "Uh, YOU liked this movie?" You're darn right I did, and I'd be glad to watch it again too!

What I dug most about it was the message that I took away from it: It's better to strike out swinging than it is to not step up to the plate at all because even if all you did was try, you still get respect whether you're successful or not. The movie's protagonists did have hardship to overcome, but everything was remarkably affirmative without being predictable. I was also a fan of all the cameos in the film, as Charlie Murphy, Mike Epps, and Wayne Brady all made appearances in the movie.

I recommend it and especially recommend it for teens and families who'd find the material age appropriate for their kids (really, aside from some occasional language and crude humor, there wasn't much that I'd consider objectionable.)

5/5 Great movie
  by
Shows how people use to be nice to each other back then, especially in the black community. How it was safe enough for kids to hang out without being kid napped or abused. The ending is suprising, because it's different from most movies that deal with competition. It's more positive than the movie ATL, and just shows youth having fun while still respecting their elders unlike now. It brought back old memories of the 70's for my mom. There was never a dull moment. This is definately NOT the worst movie ever made.

4/5 OL' SCHOOL
  by Courtney Williams (HAMMOND, LOUISIANA)
THIS MOVIE IS A VERY GOOD MOVIE. IT TAKES U BACK TO HOW FUN LIFE WAS WHEN U WERE A YOUNG TEEN. I LUV THE 70'S VIBE 2 IT. CLASSIC!