STARRING
Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Barry Bostwick, Peter Gunn, Melora Hardin, Vanessa Williams
DIRECTED BY
Peter Chelsom
SCREENPLAY
Daniel Berendsen based upon characters by Michael Poryes, Richard Correll and Barry O'Brien
MPAA RATING
Rated G
RUNNING TIME
102 Mins.
DISTRIBUTED BY
Disney
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"Hannah Montana" Review
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As I sat down to begin this review of "Hannah Montana: The Movie," my 8-year-old nephew came up to the computer and squealed "I Love Hannah Montana."
Sigh.
I, on the other hand, don't love Hannah Montana or, for that matter, Miley Cyrus. I don't mind her really.
Actually, I don't really even think about her.
Okay, that's not completely true. I was sort of into the Miley/Radiohead feud. That was FUNNY.
Other than her increasing princess tendencies, however, I've regarded Cyrus as not much more than your average, Hollywood machinery, Disney queen.
"Hannah Montana: The Movie" is not targeted to me.
If, however, you are like my 8-year-old nephew and squeal in delight at all things Hannah Montana then "Hannah Montana: The Movie" will serve you just fine.
Am I going to recommend it?
Not a chance.
I'll simply acknowledge that "Hannah Montana: The Movie" has its target audience and the finished product is likely to please this audience.
I'm not sure that explaining the plot for "Hannah Montana: The Movie" is truly necessary. The simple truth is that the film is designed to move Cyrus, entering her late teens and already showing signs of losing that Disney innocence, away from the dual personalities of Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus into a world where she can be true to herself.
There are worse role models than the G-rated Hannah Montana, though it would seem that "Hannah Montana: The Movie" wants us to believe that the young actress would lean towards her country roots over her big city successes.
Perhaps the studio hasn't seen her news clippings? We KNOW which one Miley Cyrus is choosing, and it sure isn't found in Crowley Corners.
Actually, I digress. We all know that Disney is well aware of Cyrus's clippings. "Hannah Montana: The Movie" is a good move on the studio's part to give the young actress some breathing room as she moves into young adulthood and prepares for life outside the Disney fold.
"Hannah Montana: The Movie" has everything you'd expect from Hannah Montana.
Miley Cyrus and her sweet lil' ole' smile?
Check.
Loving, devoted dad (real life father Billy Ray Cyrus)?
Check.
Heartthrob ranch hand (Lucas Till)?
Yep, he's here.
Bubbly, perky music with positive sound bytes?
Oh yeah.
Everything you could want from Hannah Montana is here, and if you're the type who actually wants to see this film then you're going to be happy. Cyrus has enough of a screen presence that she pulls off just fine this character she's already been playing for years, and while papa Billy Ray sure isn't going to be a candidate for an Oscar anytime soon he has that built-in chemistry with his daughter that keeps the film watchable and, occasionally, quite interesting.
This is "Hannah Montana: The Movie."
If you are wanting to see this film, then odds are you should.
If you have no idea what all the fuss is about, or groan at the mere mention of Montana then there's nothing here that will even remotely change your mind.
© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
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