Cast: Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Earles, Emily Osment; Director: Peter Chelsom; Producers: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar; Screenwriter: Daniel Berendsen; Music: John Debney; Genre: Musical Performing Arts; Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures; Location: USA; Running Time: 102 min.;
Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 4
CINEMA Rating: For viewers of all ages
BRIEF FILM SYNOPSIS
Peter Chelsom directs teen superstar Miley Cyrus in this feature that brings the popular Disney Channel character Hannah Montana to the big screen. With a crazy double life in California as an everyday teen with the secret pop-star persona Hannah Montana, Miley Stewart (Cyrus) has forgotten who she really is. To get her back on track, Miley's dad, Robby Ray Stewart (Miley's real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus), decides that she needs time back on the family farm in Tennessee to celebrate Grandma Ruby's (Margo Martindale) birthday. At first, Miley is belligerent, but with the help of Travis (Lucas Till), a former childhood crush who now works for Grandma Ruby as a farmhand, she begins to realize what is really important to her. Cyrus is famous for her girl-next-door personality, easy smile, and mugging for the camera, which abounds in this film. The coming-of-age tale also delves into the trials and tribulations of growing up and dealing with your first love, which made all the more complicated by her secret superstar life. Till's Travis is sure to make every teenage girl want her own well-mannered cowboy. Vanessa Williams appears as Miley/Hannah's pushy publicist and Peter Gunn is a sneaky English journalist intent on getting some dirt on Hannah. Jason Earles and Emily Osment reprise their television roles as Miley's brother, Jackson, and her best friend, Lilly. Country music fans will enjoy performances from Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, and Billy Ray Cyrus himself. The film also includes 12 new songs from Miley/Hannah. (www.rottentomatoes.com)
OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF THE FILM: Realistic presentation of stardom complex that can destroy a person's life unless there is intervention, in this case, from the father of the teenage star.
ADDITIONAL REMARKS: Commendable material for discussion among teenagers who can be easily carried as “fans” of popular actors/singers.
