Disney / Buena Vista | 2009 | 102 mins | Rated G
Hannah Montana: The Movie, is another vehicle for Disney, Miley Cyrus and the others involved in the franchise to cash in on the “Hannah” phenomenon. The first big screen film for the pop teen superstar after the big, unexpected success of her 3-D concert film last year, Hannah Montana: The Movie is pure Disney fluff from beginning to end. Filled with music, slapstick and a bit of G-rated teen angst, this big screen adventure is everything fans have come to expect from their teenager by day, pop star by night, hero. While those not swept up in “Hannah Mania” will recognize this film as strictly assembly line fare, it’s hard not to Marvel at Disney’s ongoing ability to get the most out of its popular franchises; It seems no studio does it better.
After having a catfight with former supermodel Tyra Banks, missing her brother’s (Jason Earles) college send off and inadvertently ruining her best friend Lily’s (Emily Osment) birthday party, Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) has some decisions to make. With her double life as Miley Stewart, teenager and Hannah Montana pop star causing chaos, her father, Robby Ray Stewart (Billy Ray Cyrus) decides to take her on a little vacation. With that, they go off to their hometown of Crowley, Tennessee, a place that looks like it was ripped out of an episode of The Andy Griffith Show. While there, Miley reconnects with an old friend named Travis (Lucas Till), dodges a tenacious photographer (Peter Gunn) trying to uncover Hannah Montana’s secret identity, and agrees to help the town save a stretch of land from greedy developers by putting on a concert, of course.
Anyone who believes Miley/Hannah is going to do some deep soul searching is in for a surprise. Without revealing exactly what happens, I will say the way Miley deals with her identity crisis is strange and her fans reaction to it is stranger still. Some adults will likely find themselves questioning Disney’s and the screenwriter’s decision to send such a mixed message to young girls.
Messages aside, Hannah Montana: The Movie is predictable from begin to end. Fans will enjoy the slapstick sequences and of course, the music. Songs abound; if they’re not performed, you’ll hear them in the background. Two standout and rank as the film’s best moments: Miley’s surprisingly tender, “The Climb,” and the father-daughter duet, “Butterfly Fly Away,” the best number in the movie. Director Peter Chelsom does film the movie’s big production number “Hoedown Throwdown” with some interesting camera work, and there’s some intriguing concert-to-music video segues with “Best of Both Worlds” though the tune itself isn’t especially notable.
Hannah Montana: The Movie is squarely aimed at the pre-teen girls that already make up the franchises fanbase. Miley Cyrus and company have been playing their roles since 2006 and know them well. Smartly, Disney decided to bring their adventures from the little screen to the big screen and rode it all the way to the bank.
Hannah Montana: The Movie features a solid 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that renders the vibrant primaries of Hannah’s world and the earthy hues of Miley’s hometown with ease. Skintones are lifelike, black levels are very good, delineation is revealing and contrast, while dull on occasion, is relatively strong. Detail is surprisingly strong. Textures are crisp and refined, definition is sharp and natural. The transfer is clean as a whistle; noise reduction, edge enhancement and artifacting, are M.I.A. Fans (and parents), will likely be surprised at the quality of this transfer.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is solid, if not spectacular. Dialogue is perfectly intelligible and well prioritized. Effects — while anchored to the front of the soundfield throughout the majority of the film — are full and clear. Every musical performance takes full advantage of the multi-channel presentation. The mix does a fine job creating the illusion of a crowded outdoor show during Miley/Hannah’s climactic third-act performance. While far from reference quality, fans will be overjoyed.
The Blu-ray edition of Hannah Montana: The Movie retains all of the supplemental content that appears on the Deluxe Edition DVD, adds a few exclusives and includes both a standard DVD and Digital Copy of the film.
• Audio Commentary: The film’s director Peter Chelsom, provides an informative commentary about the production, as well as his casting decisions, the storylines and subplots, and his actors’ performances.
• Backstage Disney (HD, 54 minutes): These segments are clearly aimed at younger viewers. “The Hoedown Throwdown Home Experience” (a twenty-five minute, two-part Blu-ray exclusive) gives members of the cast and crew a chance to discuss the film’s dance choreography, “Find Your Way Back Home” finds the actors introducing their own home towns and “I Should Have Gone to Film School” provides a behind-the-scenes tour of the production.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 11 minutes): Director Peter Chelsom introduces four deleted scenes, discussing the reasons they were cut and explaining how pleased he was to retain most of the scenes he shot for the final film.
• Music Videos (HD, 27 minutes): There are seven music videos in all (six of which are Blu-ray exclusives) including Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Back to Tennessee,” Hannah Montana’s “You’ll Always Find Your Way Home” and “Let’s Get Crazy,” Rascal Flatts “Bless the Broken Road,” Taylor Swift’s “Crazier,” and two performances of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”
• Outtakes (HD, 4 minutes): A small collection of bloopers.
• BD-Live Functionality: Connect with family and friends while watching the film, download additional content and more.
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