Critic's Grade: C

Frank's film tip: You'll tolerate skating to the oldies in Malcolm D. Lee's uneven but spry nostalgically urban coming-of-age dramedy ROLL BOUNCE.

Filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee's Roll Bounce is a serviceable and nostalgic coming-of-age kiddie comedy that resonates in its high-spirited verve. Granted that Lee's 70's-oriented roller-skating fable means well in its sentimental mode and audiences will definitely fall for the exuberant polyester period where the roller-disco craze reigned supreme. However, Lee's inspirational yet formulaic tale of teens and their reliable skates sometimes comes off as an uneven urban after school special. Still, Roll Bounce has enough heart and soul to capture the giddy delight of its festive confines.

Rapper-turned-actor Bow Wow (formerly Lil' Bow Wow) stars as Xavier, a South Side Chicagoan youngster with the reputation for being a tremendously talented roller-skater. Xavier (or "X" as he is conveniently referred to in the movie) may be a force on wheels but the poor kid feels incomplete at home. His father Curtis (Chi McBride from the defunct FOX-TV series Boston Public) is struggling with widowhood as X's mother recently died. And to make matters worse for X, his treasured Palisades Gardens rink is closing its doors therefore leaving the kids to travel to the North Side to break in a whole new hangout at the more polished Sweetwater Rolling Rink.

It's the summer of 1978 and the chic decade of grooving to the music is in danger of being replaced with the unpredictable arrival of the 1980's. There's so much to consider as change seems so daunting in X's compacted world both domestically and leisurely. But there's still the abundant love of skating to the soothing tunes. If X has to make the adjustment while breaking in a new venue to express his appreciation for wheeling to the energetic sounds then so be it.

At the Sweetwater Rolling Rink, X and his crew known as the Garden Boys (Khleo Thomas, Brandon T. Jackson, Marcus T. Paulk and Rick Gonzalez) are relegated to being inconsequential outsiders that invade the territorial space of Sweetwater's resident showboat Sweetness (Wesley Jonathan) and his hip posse. Of course there's the obligatory championship dance-off that the rink is sponsoring and this contest would be the ideal opportunity for X and his buddies to outshine Sweetness and show just how creatively significant they are in their own right.

In its given obviousness, the movie suggests the following considerations: will X overcome his inner sadness and gain confidence as he takes on the flamboyant huckster Sweetness? Will X penetrate through his father Curtis's distant coldness? And how will X handle his awkward teenaged affections for his rink-based galpal Naomi (Meagan Good)? Will the rest of the gang see their cute female friend Tori (Jurnee Smollett) beyond her mere role as just another "one of the guys"? How will Tori's sexy mother (Kellita Smith) be instrumental in snapping X's father Curtis out of his emotional funk?

Lee (Undercover Brother) clearly has a grand old time helming this flashy and stylish narrative that plays up to its feel-good vibes of teen-ridden angst set against the landscape of funky disco notes. Plus, choreographer Kishaya Dudley injects Roll Bounce with a feisty sense of urgency pertaining to the showy dance steps and overall rhythmic overtones. However, Lee never quite establishes a solid balancing act that cleanly showcases both the comedic and dramatic elements. The various characterizations are scattered about and we do get a taste of their individual quirkiness. Consequently, we are still left yearning for more from both the oddball personalities and the story. Does Lee want his exposition to be an examination of a numbing father-son bond looking for a spotlight of redemption? Or does he want to convey this work as a spryly teen musical laugher featuring a slew of over-the-top players?

Unfortunately, Lee sets a high standard for the film's heartwarming and humorous ingredients that is never fleshed out convincingly. Ardent fans of artist Bow Wow will enjoy the enthusiastic spark he brings to X's complicated skin. McBride is thoroughly effective as the embittered Curtis and you can feel his loneliness and frustration as a man left to carry the burden of an abandoned family in need of their lost wife/mother.

As a colorful escapist flick, Roll Bounce will connect with those who regard the celebratory genre of roller-skating and the ethnic sensation of dance and music an infectious treat to behold. This is a finger-snapping session that's slightly disjointed but nevertheless inspired.

Frank rates this film: ** and a half stars (out of 4 stars)

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