'Hannah Montana' offers plenty to smile about
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2008
Parents, you really do get the best of both worlds with the new "Hannah Montana" movie.
Your kids get to see Miley Cyrus' concert and you don't have to battle the crowds.
Shot in 3-D, the 90-minute concert film is both a look behind the scenes and a taste of the tour that's making jillions of dollars wherever it goes.
Playing off the success of the Disney Channel series, the concert features Miley Cyrus as her TV character and as herself. In the first half, she struts out as the straight-haired Hannah (who's a little more urban); in the second she's just Miley, the country girl who writes "miss you" songs to her late grandfather.
After an opening number, the film shows how Cyrus prepared for the tour (learning how to flip a mic stand, no less) and got great moves from "High School Musical" director Kenny Ortega. Cyrus' dad Billy Ray shows up here and there, but he's not on stage with her. Instead, the two noodle on the guitar and dad talks about how hard it is to play every Indian casino in the country.
Daughter Miley's show is hardly as bare bones as dad's have been. She has a huge stage, a herd of backup dancers and a guest appearance by the Jonas Brothers, who seem to be mining the same 'tween field. Cyrus, in fact, sings a song with the Jonases, then disappears while they do a couple of hits on their own. In earlier years, the Hudson Brothers, the Cassidys and the Cowsills satisfied those "family band" needs. Now, the Jonas kids seem to be filling the bill. They're not bad but, in 3-D, one boy has enormous thighs (is he a speedskater?).
The 3-D effects are good initially -- kids love when the credits pop out at them -- but the film's director spends a little too much time showing cameras in order to give his footage perspective. Cyrus' drummer does a neat bit with a drumstick (watch out! you might get hit) and Cyrus looks like she's going to poke your eye out every time she points. But, for the most part, the show doesn't need the gimmick. It's a good concert experience -- you just don't have to endure the hearing loss.
Cyrus changes clothes more times than a kid at the Gap and mom turns up every now and then to let you know this isn't another Spears production.
At one point, Cyrus' dancers drop her during a lift. At the next rehearsal, she says she's not going to do the move anymore. Ortega shows her how it can be stress-free and, sure enough, it works like a charm. You get to see a hint of the real Miley, too, when she admits the guy holding her butt is kinda cute. (Still, I'm betting that she's hot on one of the Jonas guys ... she gets real chummy with Kevin when they're singing.)
Obviously, all of the concert's numbers aren't in this cut-down edition. Cyrus does "Best of Both Worlds," however, and she offers up a song that sounds suspiciously like "Sunglasses at Night." She's not the best singer under 20, but she is a great personality. When she smiles, you almost feel the energy. In 3-D, it's like she doing it just for you.
If you've got a young fan who wants to see Miley, take her -- or him -- to "Hannah Montana in 3-D." It's a concert primer that'll make you long for the days when you lifted a lighter, not a glowstick, in recognition.
"Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds in 3-D" is at the Carmike Cinemas through Feb. 7. Rated G, it features nothing objectionable.
Your kids get to see Miley Cyrus' concert and you don't have to battle the crowds.
Shot in 3-D, the 90-minute concert film is both a look behind the scenes and a taste of the tour that's making jillions of dollars wherever it goes.
Playing off the success of the Disney Channel series, the concert features Miley Cyrus as her TV character and as herself. In the first half, she struts out as the straight-haired Hannah (who's a little more urban); in the second she's just Miley, the country girl who writes "miss you" songs to her late grandfather.
After an opening number, the film shows how Cyrus prepared for the tour (learning how to flip a mic stand, no less) and got great moves from "High School Musical" director Kenny Ortega. Cyrus' dad Billy Ray shows up here and there, but he's not on stage with her. Instead, the two noodle on the guitar and dad talks about how hard it is to play every Indian casino in the country.
Daughter Miley's show is hardly as bare bones as dad's have been. She has a huge stage, a herd of backup dancers and a guest appearance by the Jonas Brothers, who seem to be mining the same 'tween field. Cyrus, in fact, sings a song with the Jonases, then disappears while they do a couple of hits on their own. In earlier years, the Hudson Brothers, the Cassidys and the Cowsills satisfied those "family band" needs. Now, the Jonas kids seem to be filling the bill. They're not bad but, in 3-D, one boy has enormous thighs (is he a speedskater?).
The 3-D effects are good initially -- kids love when the credits pop out at them -- but the film's director spends a little too much time showing cameras in order to give his footage perspective. Cyrus' drummer does a neat bit with a drumstick (watch out! you might get hit) and Cyrus looks like she's going to poke your eye out every time she points. But, for the most part, the show doesn't need the gimmick. It's a good concert experience -- you just don't have to endure the hearing loss.
Cyrus changes clothes more times than a kid at the Gap and mom turns up every now and then to let you know this isn't another Spears production.
At one point, Cyrus' dancers drop her during a lift. At the next rehearsal, she says she's not going to do the move anymore. Ortega shows her how it can be stress-free and, sure enough, it works like a charm. You get to see a hint of the real Miley, too, when she admits the guy holding her butt is kinda cute. (Still, I'm betting that she's hot on one of the Jonas guys ... she gets real chummy with Kevin when they're singing.)
Obviously, all of the concert's numbers aren't in this cut-down edition. Cyrus does "Best of Both Worlds," however, and she offers up a song that sounds suspiciously like "Sunglasses at Night." She's not the best singer under 20, but she is a great personality. When she smiles, you almost feel the energy. In 3-D, it's like she doing it just for you.
If you've got a young fan who wants to see Miley, take her -- or him -- to "Hannah Montana in 3-D." It's a concert primer that'll make you long for the days when you lifted a lighter, not a glowstick, in recognition.
"Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds in 3-D" is at the Carmike Cinemas through Feb. 7. Rated G, it features nothing objectionable.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 3 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Tim H wrote on Feb 3, 2008 10:39 PM:
liv wrote on Feb 3, 2008 8:55 PM:
Adam wrote on Feb 3, 2008 9:01 AM: