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Released 1st May 2009
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The phenomenon that is Hannah Montana follows the Disney path to further enlightenment for a whole new film audience - much like High School Musical 3 - to bring another successful (sickly-sweet) TV franchise to the big screen this May. All-American, cutesy Southern belle Miley Cyprus is hard not to like (however hard you try), brimming with youth and vitality, with her infectious enthusiasm for everything in life - and she can hold a tune or three. Yes, anyone who says they did not toe-tap to the catchy ‘Hoedown Throwdown’ barn-dance tune, an intriguing mixture of country and hip-hop, is telling huge porkies. This film is what Hannah is all about: good wholesome fun in the country sun, complete with the standard teen issues of identity, boys, parents etc never far from the surface, and some enjoyable music tracks.
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Teens will love it because it taps into their universe and what’s important to them. Mums will love it because they may get a few parenting tips and, perhaps, relive their own childhood dreams and ambitions. Dads will love it because, thanks to Miley’s music pedigree - her Dad who stars alongside her in this, albeit in the shadow of his bubbly daughter, is famous country maestro, ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ hero, Billy Ray Cyprus - the music is uplifting, even if country isn’t to your usual taste. The film is linked together by some big ballad-style tracks, plus a poignant moment between father and daughter in the rain, where both realise the importance of each other in their lives: All together now, “Ahhhh”…
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There’s nothing new to the plot and you can see it coming like a big warm Southern ‘welcome home’ several States off: Choose the right path - the one that is most virtuous by being true to you. What is apparent is how much of the Cypruses has been invested in bringing Miley’s story to the big screen - give or take a few alterations to the truth. Yes, this is Miley’s gig, through and through, but it also gives in brief insight into Billy Ray’s real existence, guiding such a famous, headstrong daughter in public life. For once, we also have a story that centres on the development of a father-daughter relationship, instead of the usual, humdrum mother-daughter affair. And it’s darn funny and entertaining in parts, too, especially the scene (that makes some of us very jealous indeed), where Miley gets to scrap with Tyra Banks in a shoe shop and throw a heel at the head of the rather nauseating ANTM host. We are loving the fact that Vanessa Williams (she of ‘Wilhelmina Slater’ from Ugly Betty fame) continues to poke fun at herself in another less bitchy comedy role (think Wilhelmina on an off day). In our view, Ms Williams owns this niche now.
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Try putting that cynicism aside for a second… Yes, it’s clichéd to the hilt; a little slapstick in parts; rather ‘in-your-face’ predictable; and has some continuity errors (just how does Miley/Hannah get her heavy pink case over a wooden fence into a field from the roadside to meet the cowboy of her dreams in a ‘first glimpse’, slo-mo dreamy sequence?). But Hannah Montana: The Movie is gloriously colourful, fabulous, infectious, toe-tapping, hoedown Disney fun: Resistance is futile, as you succumb to the Hannah Montana craze - whatever your age.
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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Miley Stewart (Cyprus) struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona; when Hannah Montana’s soaring popularity threatens to take over her life-she just might let it. So her father takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tennessee, for a dose of reality.
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Film Facts
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Official site: http://www.disneymovies.co.uk/hannahmovie/
UK Release Date: 1st May 2009
Director: Peter Chelsom
Writers: Daniel Berendsen, Michael Poryes
Cast: Miley Cyrus (’Hannah Montana / Miley Stewart’), Billy Ray Cyrus (’Robby Ray Stewart’), Emily Osment (’Lilly Truscott / Lola Luftnagle’), Jason Earles (’Jackson Stewart’), Mitchel Tate Musso (’Oliver Oken / Mike Standley III’), Moises Arias (’Rico’), Vanessa Williams (’Vita’), Margo Martindale (’Ruby’), Peter Gunn (’Oswald Granger’)
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK
Certificate: U
Run-time: 102 mins
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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EXCLUSIVE Music Video: Billy Ray Cyprus ‘Back To Tennessee’:
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‘Hoedown Throwdown’ Music Video:
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TWO CLIPS:
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UK Premiere:
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