User reviews

Why is the rating for this movie only 4.8/10? Yeah, it's not exactly first-class entertainment, but it definitely deserves at least a 7/10. It's good, clean fun, and very entertaining for children and adults alike. It's Lizzie McGuire (probably the only decent programme on the Disney Channel - oh why did they stop it?) and her pals having an adventure in Italy! But whilst this is just an ordinary Roman history trip for everyone else, Lizzie gets whisked away to stardom when she meets Italian popstar, Paolo Valisari. Full of friendship problems, other catastrophes, Matt and Melina's usual (international) shenanigans and a little bit of (clean) romance, the Lizzie McGuire movie fails not to entertain. It's the perfect film to watch on a rainy day (or whilst driving through hot, remote areas of Turkey in a coach - that's how I watched it).

Decent.

I did watch the 'Lizzie McGuire' television show when I was younger, not religiously or anything close but I do remember liking it. I wouldn't, though, know if it works well with the exact storyline, given this film connects to what occurs on the small screen; I was an on/off watcher at best.

Hilary Duff (Lizzie) and Adam Lamberg (Gordo) work together nicely, but it's a slight shame that Lalaine (Miranda) doesn't appear - I recall liking her in the show. Elsewhere, Alex Borstein (Ungermeyer) and Yani Gellman (Paolo) are solid.

This is nothing overly memorable, and it isn't far ahead from being a bad film; the ending drags out, especially the music performance. However, all in all, I'm satisfied after viewing 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie'.

Really fun picture based on the life story of Britney Spears meteoric rise to pop super stardom. Lizzy could do little right in her personal relationships with her fellow students, her little brother[who was a scream as he made Lizzy's life a living hell], but especially in her dealings with a charismatic, charming Roman singer she meets soon after arriving in the City of Seven Hills. Wanting more than a bus ride to all the hot spots, Lizzy takes off on her own but must constantly stay on her toes to avoid having her hyjinks being discovered by a shrewd, worldly chaperon. While all this is going on Lizzy has far deeper problems from a source she trusts completely and is headed for a fall which will have a negative effect on another innocent person. Way cool movie - Lizzy rules!

"The Lizzie McGuire Movie" is a fun and nostalgic teen comedy that will appeal to fans of the popular Disney Channel series. Hilary Duff shines in her role as Lizzie, a high school student who travels to Rome for a school trip and finds herself mistaken for a pop star. The film's themes of self-discovery, friendship, and romance are explored in a lighthearted and entertaining way that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

One of the strengths of the film is its humor, which is both clever and relatable. The scenes featuring Lizzie's quirky family and friends are particularly amusing, and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments throughout the film. Additionally, the film's soundtrack, which features catchy pop songs by Duff and other artists, adds to the overall fun and upbeat tone of the movie.

The film's location in Rome also adds to its appeal. The stunning views of the city's landmarks and architecture provide a beautiful backdrop for the story, and the scenes set in the Colosseum and other iconic locations are especially memorable.

Overall, "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" is a charming and enjoyable film that captures the spirit of the popular television series. Fans of the show will appreciate the familiar characters and themes, while newcomers will find plenty to enjoy in the film's humor, music, and setting. Whether you're a teen looking for a fun and relatable story or an adult seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" is a must-see.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie doesn't feel like a finale for the television show. It rather feels more like an epilogue.

The television show did have a "de facto" series finale in "Bye Bye Hillridge Junior High". It oddly though wasn't the last episode aired (in fact 10 subsequent episodes aired). In the episode the kids are preparing to graduate junior high and they're going around getting autographs in their yearbook. Gordo wonders about what He's going to write in Lizzie's yearbook. If the plot of the episode seems rather thin it is because it was basically a clip show. Lizzie reads Gordo's autograph and (finally) realizes He loves her and in the last moment of the episode kisses him on the cheek just as the class photo is taken.

The movie supposably takes place right after the events of that episode because it begins with the junior high graduation. Right afterwards Lizzie and some of her classmates go on a trip to Rome with their future high school principal as their chaperone. There appears to have been a reset because Gordo is still the dogged nice guy and Lizzie is still oblivious to his attraction to her.

Joining Lizzie and Gordo on the trip is Kate. Throughout the series Kate has been Lizzie's nemesis. She's the mean popular girl who likes to bully Lizzie. In the movie though the animosity suddenly disappears and the two of them act like friends and allies once they room together on the trip. It is been speculated that the writers were trying to compensate for the absence of Lizzie's actual female best friend Miranda.

The plot of the movie is that while in Rome Lizzie meets a cute guy named Paolo. As (contrived) coincidence would have it Lizzie is a dead ringer for Italian pop star Isabella (Duff in a dual role) except Lizzie's blonde and Isabella is brunette. Paolo and Isabella (who are a singing duo) had a falling out and Isabella left Rome. Paolo then needs Lizzie to impersonate Isabella so He can fulfill a commitment to perform at the local awards show. Paolo secretly though is planning to humiliate Isabella and is just using Lizzie as a means to that end. Believe it or not the plot is actually even more convoluted than that.

On the one hand the movie feels like it is showcasing Rome like it is one of those travel guides you see on public television. On the other hand, the movie feels like a vehicle designed to showcase Hilary Duff's singing talent and to help her singing career. As I wrote earlier the movie is an epilogue to a series that already had a satisfactory and decent ending.

My thoughts: The movie is good for what it is: A teen girl's fantasy/wish fulfillment movie. As the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says, "It is a harmless piece of fluff." The plot holes and other flaws are negligible. Hilary Duff did have a certain charm and appeal that carries the film. Her music is not my cup of tea, but it is not terrible.

Full disclosure: I am 41, male, and watched it for the first time in 2025. As such I don't have any nostalgia for it.

PS: If you're watching the series (and the movie) in order in which they were broadcast things can get confusing. In fact the series aired three more episodes after the movie came out. The last episode of the show aired (Magic Train) came nine months later but the events of the episode are supposed to take place before the movie.

Just saw this movie since my students at school talked about the upcoming premiere. If you're a fan of the show, you'll like the movie. I think it appeals to all ages. The plot was decent, and the ending came as a complete surprise.

Hilary Duff is charming and wholesome. She doesn't try for saccharine sweetness, perfection, or precocious sexuality. This film is a vehicle for her and while it dangles the bauble of celebrity before the audience, it reminds them that the virtues of friendship and decency are more important.

Perhaps not super-sophisticated, but a good message.

And reasonably entertaining for a gray-haired father to sit through. Yes, it's for girls who still shouldn't go to the movies alone.