Pump Up the Volume (1990)

R| 1 hr. 45 min.

Plot Summary
In Arizona, an introverted and insightful teenager, Mark Hunter (Christian Slater), finds an outlet for his viewpoints through a shortwave radio. Broadcasting as "Hard Harry," Hunter uses his pirate radio show to rant against the injustices and hypocrisies taking place in the area, and in society in general. Hunter conceals his off-air identity, but a determined student (Samantha Mathis) discovers the truth, while Principal Creswood (Annie Ross) seeks to shut down Hunter once and for all.

Cast: Christian Slater , Samantha Mathis , Ellen Greene , Scott Paulin , Cheryl Pollak , Andy Romano , Mimi Kennedy , Annie Ross

Director: Allan Moyle

Genres: Drama

Distributor: New Line Cinema

Pump Up the Volume (1990)

Release Date: July 6th, 2003|1 hr. 45 min.

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critic reviews ( 3 )

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63

Rolling Stone

Roaring into the microphone with all the passion he can't put into his life, Slater gives this movie what it otherwise so desperately lacks: a reason for being. show more
63

Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle

There's a real commitment to key moments; a sense of depth and understanding. It has labor of love written all over it. [22 Aug 1990, p.E1] show more
63

Mike Clark USA Today

Heathers was such a black-comic revelation that Pump Up the Volume comes as a double surprise. What were the odds, particularly this early in his career, that Christian Slater would end up starring in two of the best high school movies ever? [22 Aug 1990, p.4D] show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

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