Cadet Kelly - Una ribelle in uniforme

'Cadet Kelly' is just another one of those mediocre films churned about by Disney and there is nothing original in the story that makes it stands out above the rest other than this is probably one of the first times I actually felt sorry for one of Hilary Duff's characters. This film sees fourteen-year-old Kelly, a born-and-raised New Yorker, dragged away from her school, friends and the city she loves when her self-absorbed mother springs it on her that she's getting married and they will be moving. To make matters worse, Kelly's new step-father is the headmaster of a military academy that she is forced to attend. Of course, Kelly manages to fit in by becoming saviour of the school drill team and helping them find new routines.

This is a film about selfish adults who are only interested in themselves (Mum wants her perfect new life, Stepdad wants his job at the academy and Biological Dad can't be bothered standing up for his kid) and bland kids who are all clones in terms of their personalities. We have Kelly, as the stereotypical airheaded popular blonde, the awkward best friend, the boy who every girl fancies and the bully (who, in this film, belongs more in a Victorian boys' school given that she is basically a prefect who is allowed to do whatever she wants with her power with no teacher stepping in).

This film might have been more interesting where Kelly sent there as a punishment because there is no reflection at all in the film that things are hard enough for her without forcing her to attend a military school nor that there are surely buses in the area that could have taken her to a regular school. Instead, we're meant to cheer for Kelly fitting into her new school when all you want to see is some protest from her. This is the kind of film suited to shallow teenagers who like everything bland and simple but those who prefer school-based films with more thought and character would be better off watching something like such as 'Mean Girls' or 'Harriet the Spy'.

While I didn't expect too much from this movie despite the fact that I generally like Disney channel movies, I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

Not only was the acting very believable, but the plot was original and had a lot of heart. This movie made me smile, get teary-eyed, and think. I think what makes this movie rise above the average is that it reaches many different people on various levels. It challenges you to think outside the box, to not accept the conformity of society and set your own standards while crossing over the line. It teaches you the importance of family, even 'broken' ones, and letting new people in, to have faith in people, how its important to face your fears, and perhaps most importantly, to embrace your individuality and set new standards.

Most of the negative comments I read about this movie complain about two things: 1) Hilary and Christy's characters are more or less the same as their alter egos, Lizzie and Ren, and 2) It was unbelievable as far as the military aspect because of the discrepancies and the way Kelly spoke to her ranking officer (Jennifer Stone, Christy Romano). I disagree on both counts.

First, Kelly and Jennifer's characters couldn't *be* farther from Lizzie and Ren. Lizzie is a sweet, sensitive, albeit insecure and klutzy homebody, while Kelly is a fun-loving, adventure-seeking, rule-breaking girl with something to prove. Similarly, Ren is a nice, caring, intelligent, studious person while Jennifer is a mean, stuck-up military brat with a chip permanently lodged on her shoulder.

And secondly, while I can't really confirm nor deny the military discrepancies not having been in ROTC or any branch of the military, I can certainly refute the statement that Kelly was way out of line. The worst thing she did was paint Jennifer's hair, and she was court-martialed for *that*, so I don't really see that as getting away with it. And furthermore, while I don't condone acts of revenge, she *did* have it coming--sometimes, the only way you can reach a person is to go to their level, for while it brings you down a notch at the time, when you rise back up, not only will you be a notch higher, you'll have brought someone up with you.

VERDICT: A heart-warming movie with character, not just recommended for the family or kids, but for anyone with an open mind and/or open heart.

7.0 out of 10.0

~AleXa~

Kelly Collins (Hilary Duff) is a free spirit who loves fashion and dance. She approves her mother getting remarried to Joe "Sir" Maxwell (Gary Cole) at first. He's a military man. When he becomes the Commandant of a military school, she is forced to attend. She struggles under Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone (Christy Carlson Romano) who has a crush on Cadet Major Brad Rigby (Shawn Ashmore). Jealousy ensues.

Hilary Duff is a Disney TV star by the time of this movie. She tries to cute her way out of this. It's better than most of the channel's offerings but that's not saying much especially during that time. They obviously rented out a military academy somewhere which allows them to write around. I would like Kelly to be less talky which sometimes come off as whiney at times. Her cuteness is able to keep it endearing. At the end of the day, this movie does what it sets out to do. It is a vehicle for its Disney starlets. It's functional and Duff is well within her comfort zone.

I still really like this film. I bought it on DVD after watching it on the Disney channel. I like to watch it now and then... but with like a gap of 6 months in between. Hillary Duff is a great actor, she is beautiful and fits in with every character she has played. I recommend this film to young girls. But only rent it so you don't waste money on a film you will probably never watch again. I enjoyed this film. I think it has great actors. Not much of a love story... unfortunately... but has a bit of one. I admit i really love romantic films. But this one hasn't got much to it. Great to see what happens in the end, and a great moral to the story. They all live happily ever after... of course!

In Cadet Kelly, Hillary Duff takes her Lizzie McGuire character and does a Private Benjamin by going to military school. Instead of the cartoon Lizzie revealing her inner most thoughts for the audience, Duff does a narration over the action of the film.

To bond with her new stepfather, Gary Cole, who is a retired career army man, Duff is put in military school where Cole came from and where he's now the commandant.

A lot of the same situations that happen in comedies like Private Benjamin and even further back with Rosalind Russell's Never Wave at a WAC occur here. Nothing new added and Hillary Duff is certainly no Rosalind Russell, but she's an appealing young lady, if she wasn't that Lizzie McGuire series would not have run for any length of time.

Another Disney regular Christy Carlson Romano from Even Stevens is also along as Duff's military school tormentor, her Eileen Brennan.

It's not Citizen Kane or The Godfather, but there are worst ways to kill two hours than watching Cadet Kelly.