
Reviewed by Angela Beswick
There's nothing quite like a feel good Disney feature to bring out your inner child. And if that's what you're looking for then Hannah Montana: The Movie delivers.
It's essentially a feature-length episode of the Disney money spinner Hannah Montana, in which Miley Cyrus leads a double life as Miley Stewart - a girl so ordinary she has to sneak into her own concert, when she morphs into Hannah Montana, Pop Star.
Miley has ‘the best of both worlds’ – by day she is just like every other teenage girl (actually scrap that. Anyone with teenagers knows that's not true. She's like any happy-go-lucky Disney teenager) attending school, bickering with her brother and generally playing the part of Daddy’s little girl.
It's after-hours, however, when things get exciting for our heroine. She slips backstage, puts on a blonde wig, makeup and completes the package with the sparkly dress. Now she can literally ‘rock out the show’ as her alter-ego, pop starlet Hannah Montana.
Rather predictably, leading a double life begins to take its toll on our lead girl, and juggling friends, school and pop stardom becomes a rather arduous task.
Throw in young love, saving a small town, friendship, family and the discovery of one’s true self, and you’ve got yourself your typical Disney feel-good movie.
While there are no twists, surprises or even a slightly original plot, that's never the plan with Disney. Instead, be prepared for a moral-heavy, feel-good family movie that, if the audience I sat in with was anything to go by, will certainly be a success for Disney and the Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana empire.
3 and a Half Stars
Hannah Montana: The Movie
:: Director: Peter Chelsom
:: Starring: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mitchel Musso
:: Running Time: 102 mins
:: Rating: G
:: Release Date: July 2, 2009