Director Charles Stone III, responsible for the accomplished, gritty urban crime drama, Paid in Full, shows some versatility in bringing us the competent, high-energy competition drama, Drumline. Stone's film is pretty formulaic stuff, in terms of the basic plot outline. It fits into the same mold as Rocky and Top Gun, wherein a supremely talented but undisciplined outsider has to overcome various contrived obstacles, prove himself a valuable part of a team, and save the day. The specific setting of Drumline sets it apart, though, because it takes place in the uniquely exciting and vibrant world of "show-style" marching bands. Young leads Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, and Leonard Roberts are attractive and appealing, and Orlando Jones delivers an effectively toned-down performance. While the film is generally well acted, and the script is modestly efficient, the film works best as a splashy musical, coming to vivid life when the bands take the field to perform and compete. Stone, with help from cinematographer Shane Hurlbut (crazy/beautiful), does an excellent job of capturing the complex percussive rhythms and precise choreography of the drumline, and the energy and excitement these bands bring to the field.