Disney has a sweet thing going on with this Blu-Ray/DVD dual pack they release movies in. It truly is the best of both worlds, and when you add in a digital copy, well, that’s a pretty sweet deal Disney is offering people. However, the only reason I mention that is to delay having to confess something; I watched Hannah Montana: The Movie, and what’s worse, I actually kind of liked it. I know, you may not think that’s such a big deal, but after resisting the HM phenom for so long, to finally view something from it and realize it isn’t all that bad, well that’s a tough pill to swallow (plus it ain’t easy for a rough around the edges, roguish guy like me to admit to watching something like Hannah Montana.)
All I knew about Hannah Montana before I saw the movie was that she’s insanely popular and that she has more merchandise than Mickey Mouse. I also knew that my girls thought she was awesome despite never having seeing her show or ever hearing any of her music (that’s the power of marketing, my friends.) Well, I couldn’t shield my family from Hannah forever, so when I was sent a Blu-Ray/DVD pack of her movie debut, I decided it was time to sit down and watch it with my family. If nothing else, I knew my girls would enjoy it. I was shocked, however, to discover that I enjoyed it as well.
I will temper my comments by saying having no expectations what so ever may have made it easier for me to enjoy the movie. I didn’t really know what to expect, and any expectations I had were in the “stupid and dumb” range. However, Hannah Montana: The Movie turned out to be a fairly well written, very sweet, occasionally witty and occasionally funny look at the pratfalls of trying to be famous and live a normal life at the same time. This is like watching what it would be like if Superman were a pop star instead of a super hero (and if he were a tween girl instead of an insanely muscled grown man.)
I guess the biggest surprise for me was Miley Cyrus. All I knew about her was from whatever made the news, so I was surprised to find that her performance while a bit goofy and cheesy was actually that of a young woman who seemed genuine and real. She isn’t a flawless pop star, she’s a goofy sometimes clumsy kid with real problems, real relationships and a real life complicated by the fantasy of being Hannah Montana. The way the film deals with its conflicts sometimes skews into almost being poignant as Cyrus reflects on how her life and fame has affected her, her family, and her home town.
The other surprise was the writing. While many scenes where the typical, saccharine type of Disney family friendly fun, there were plenty of moments that were genuinely funny and a few that were even touching. Toss in believable if at times silly performances from both Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus as well as that of their supporting cast, and you have a surprisingly solid story of a girl rediscovering who she is and how important family and friends really are. Every time I laughed out loud I was shocked, and I was even more surprise when I actually felt the sadness and the pain Miley faced during her journey back home and back to who she truly is.
The final surprise was that this movie actually offered a bit wisdom for both tweens and adults when it comes to living life. One of the characters wisely intones, “Life’s a climb…but the view is great.” This character readily acknowledged that life often requires a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice, and often times it isn’t a whole lot fun. But what makes it worth it all is the view when we climb to the top of every challenge and obstacle we may face in life. It’s quite a refreshing message to receive from Hollywood when so often the message movies send out today is one of despair, hopelessness and the fact that nothing in life matters so why bother trying. Life is a climb, and sometimes it’s a very difficult climb, but I’ve found that when you tackle that climb with Jesus Christ at your side, not only will always have help for the most difficult parts of that climb, in the end you’ll also have the best view one could ever have as you look back on it all from the mountain top of heaven. That’s a view that’s definitely worth climbing for.
I’m sure Hannah Montana: The Movie was one of the biggest no brainers in movie history. The director could have done a whole lot of nothing and kids would have flocked to this movie just because it’s Hannah Montana. However, to his credit and to Disney’s credit, they actually took the time to craft a heart-warming, thought provoking, and often fun movie that explores popularity versus friendship, community versus progress, and why it’s good to always have a loving family to go home to. One odd note I should probably include; the musical portions were the parts I enjoyed the least. I say this because I’m sure that’s part of the big draw for this movie; kids want to see Hannah Montana sing. Well, I don’t think her music is all that good. It’s generic, fluffy, vapid pop. On the flip side, however, there a couple moments where Miley sings, and she sings moving songs with depth and meaning and proves that she is indeed a talented singer. I would have liked more Miley and her family singing and less of Hannah.
One other note I’d like to make. Although you get a Blu-Ray copy, a DVD copy and a digital copy in this pack, you don’t get a whole lot in the way of extras; at least not on the DVD. You get a few outtakes, which are fun, a couple of deleted scenes and a few games. There may be a few more extras on the Blu-Ray, but I don’t have a player for that yet so I couldn’t tell ya.
So my first exposure to Hannah Montana was a surprisingly good one. Hannah Montana: The Movie is surprisingly well made, surprisingly good, and best of all, something the whole family can enjoy. I still don’t get the whole Hannah Montana phenomenon, but I do see the appeal that Miley Cyrus has for young girls as she displays a type of pop star who tries to live a real life and doesn’t ever pretend to be a perfect Hollywood celebrity. I must admit the movie drives that point home in an entertaining way and Miley Cyrus does display some decent acting, comedic timing and musical talent, so I guess I can’t be much of a Hannah-hater any more, but that also doesn’t quite make me a fan either.
