Hannah Montana - Le film

I genuinely enjoyed this. I didn't see that coming.

'Hannah Montana: The Movie' kept me suitably entertained from start-to-finish, it is so much better than I would've predicted. I have never seen an episode of the television series either.

It features a surprisingly interesting and fairly meaningful story, sure the ending is extremely Disneyfied and nonsensical but they make it work. For what it is, it's a relatively engaging storyline. There are a few bits of neat cinematography, also. Music-wise it's alright, "The Climb" is a (good) song that I was already familiar with.

Miley Cyrus does a respectable job in the lead role(s). Billy Ray Cyrus, Margo Martindale, Vanessa Williams and Barry Bostwick all feature too, as does a young Natalia Dyer. I like the casting.

I had very low expectations coming into this, but it's a film that pleasantly surprised me. I'd say it's worthy of a watch.

At this writing, the rating is 3.0 with 8908 votes. I would have expected 3.5 It's fluff, poorly done, with wooden "acting" and the certainty of purpose it seems only a teen could take seriously... and yet its target audience loves it.

And, although I hate to make the comparison, exactly what redeeming features did Elvis or Beatles movies have? In retrospect, not much.

I've been lucky enough to only be forced to watch one episode of the series, and from what I can tell the movie is just more of the same. If science ever discovers a cure for whatever it is that makes kids like this stuff, great... otherwise, this is typical and there will be more.

I will just add that I personally found absolutely no trace of realism or usefulness in this entire movie.

First of all, let me say I'm the same age as Billy Ray Cyrus and, although I never cared for the man after the atrocious "Achy Breaky Heart", once I discovered Hannah Montana on ABC Kids on Saturday morning, and even after trying out the show once when I was in a motel with all the cable channels, I actually liked him as an actor. And my opinion on his one hit song has improved over the years.

But except for the music, I've found Miley Stewart and her friend Lily adorable. It would be nice if the ABC broadcast network could have shown us more than the one season, but that was enough for me to develop a taste for these characters. Sure, it's corny Disney fluff, but that's my kind of entertainment.

Robby Ray has strong family values, and he's not going to put up with any more nonsense from his daughter. It's a good message, especially in a world where teenage girls walk all over their clueless sitcom fathers. Well, this sitcom father has had enough.

Margo Martindale gives a fine performance, especially in one scene. She's not going to put up with her granddaughter thinking she's too good for small town life and the friends she has grown up with.

We have the stock Disney villain in Barry Bostwick. But I saw him in "Spin City" and know he's better than this. And of course the tabloid reporter who is a villain in his own way, going out of his way attempting to discover Hannah's secret. He has bubbly teen daughters who are obsessed fans who he has put in a strict Catholic school, and they're good for a few laughs.

And eventually the message gets through to Miley. But of course we have the standard deception story lines and the frantic switching back and forth between characters which I've seen done better, but it's still entertaining. I particularly liked seeing an attempt to make Lily pass as Hannah.

There's not much here that I would call music, but there's a lot that I would. I have mixed feelings about Miley Stewart's attempt to mix rap with banjos. The banjos I like. And in a scene that embarrasses Miley, family and friends perform what I would call good country music. There are a couple of good country songs. Even Taylor Swift does something that passes for country. Then we have Rascal Flatts, who sound surprisingly country on their instruments, but I can't get past the fact that their atrocious vocals sound like 'N Sync.

No one's winning awards for this. It's just fun.

When the film was released in 2009 I was in my early 20's and Miley a Cyrus was becoming the biggest thing In the world. Watching the film 12 years later my thought of the film had changed a lot. When first released I loved the film it's family fun Disney film aimed more at its target audience of preteen girls and teen to young adult girls. Now watching this as a 34 year old I see the film in different eyes.

The film is not a bad film like most people say it is it's a fun family film. It's silly and the acting is not the best but it is what it is.

Just a brief note, I think the Hannah Montana show was OK. Aside from some pretty good songs, it's main lead was OK, but later became annoying and some of the story lines, although funny, were quite predictable. While this movie improved a bit on the show, it's still flawed. The story despite it's nice moments is hugely predictable, the direction is bland, the script is schmaltzy, and the dialog is cringe-worthy.

Some of the characters are uninteresting, but the main lead played by Miley Cyrus is a vast improvement and is a much more likable character and her depth is well-developed. Even her relationships with her family especially her father was touching. Some of the songs were mediocre, but the two songs that were not only emotional, but catchy goes to "Butterfly Fly Away" and "The Climb" and I'm surprised to see that song won an award for Best Movie Song.

Overall, not exactly a great movie worth recommending, but not exactly as terrible as the ratings on this website says it is. It does have it's problems, but it's touching songs makes this worth a view for kids and their families.