This is not the best teen movie or even teen musical, but it is still worth a look (or listen, rather) due to its catchy and original music. It is a reminder of what the High School Musical franchise has done for teen musicals. However, while HSM's choreography was more naturalistic, this one's over-produced.The draw for teen girls will almost certainly be the Jonas Brothers, who are surprisingly okay film actors. While they do not carry the film alone on their shoulders, they do inject the extra element of fun that will be missing if they weren't in it.The acting was for the most part what is expected from a Disney teen pop movie - bubbly but without much needed from the actors. The draw is and always will be the music and the dancing. Unless you're a teen, you won't care much for the characters as they go through the usual teen 'crises'. The music is upbeat, the songs are original and catchy, and the dance choreography acceptable (although the guys seem to have all the good moves; the girls do little other than shake their heads, chests and hips), which is what are more important here anyway. I have a preteen god-daughter, and even she is more excited by the music and dancing than in the story.It may not rank as high as High School Musical, but unless you're willing to watch that again, this is still a good enough movie for the kids to watch. Even if they don't appreciate the story, it may still bring out whatever musical instincts are in them.
... View MoreIt seems that the only thing Disney can do is keep repeating itself over and over...with very little original anything being created. They are trying to promote another teen queen with using Demi Lovato in the starring role. While she can sing fairly well, her acting skills leave much to be desired. There is no depth to any of it. We are suppose to believe she is THAT upset about everything happening around her. The camp on the other side of the lake apparently has everything amazing going for them...and want to WIN the competition. The heck with having a fun and memorable summer...those kids are there because they ALL plan to be HUGE stars...soon...that is if their egos don't get in the way and they can prove they can actually sing, dance and perform. The well known Jonas Brothers show up..not as themselves...but as camp counselers...who are suppose to teach the younger kids how to be ROCK stars. Of course...two of the three seem to do OK..but one always seems to have issues...that we suppose to find funny..(Kevin..the now-married one...who never gets ANY love interest in any of their shows..)..While they do sing and play music...it isn't anything memorable at all. We know who we are suppose to cheer for...the good kids...the ones who have heart and are responsible...with or without adult supervision...which there is very little of most of the time. Lets' see...teenagers..left alone....in the woods...in cabins...HMMM..it adds up to more than just roasting marshmallows over the campfire. At least in the real world anyway. These are clean-cut Disney Kids though...and none have thoughts of anything even remotely out of line. What got me was they way these kids dressed...in the highest of fashion...very un-camping like attire. Who wears dresses and jewelery at camp? Both the girls and the guys were over-dressed big time. And yes...I know...it is a movie for pre-teens and teens that haven't outgrown family oriented programing. Trust me...in a few years...these same kids will think this stuff is lame. On to bigger and more adult themes...and then the next generation of Disney fans will come along. The way Disney crams their programing at everyone is ridiculous. It is like riding the rides in the Disney Parks...they are all fun the first few times you ride them...then after a while...you get tired of it all and wish for something else that is different and more memorable. The Disney of old is NOT the same as what they are cranking out today. Pity.
... View MoreWith the release of "Camp Rock" in 2008, Disney had found another franchise to milk alongside with "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical"; a stereotypical movie about a regular teen chick with a regular teen problem, filled with catchy songs and some daily life vs. pop star struggles. However, the first "Camp Rock" was a movie which I genuinely enjoyed. While it's not a film of the lifetime, I found it to be sincere and quite likable. Just as most successful movie franchises, "Camp Rock" gets a sequel, but it's a well known term that most sequels aren't better than their predecessors – and unfortunately the highly promoted "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" is no exception and comes off as a mild disappointment.With all consideration; "Camp Rock 2" isn't exactly bad; just a little disappointing. The film does have its cute and enjoyable moments, but comes across as less compelling as a whole. The main plot isn't exactly a misplaced choice from the screenwriters (a battle versus two camps), but while the first movie didn't exactly had a groundbreaking story, it had a more stronger, internal conflict; Mitchie's (Demi Lovato) conflict with Tess (Meaghan Martin) and her identity-struggle and Shane's (Joe Jonas) internal struggle of being a cold, inaccessible person because of his fear of being fooled by someone who wanted to take use his celebrity status. Besides, the script is less structured this time and jumps from a random musical sequence to another random musical sequence and the events feel less chronological (written by the not so cleverly Dan Berendsen, which has proved his lack of skills in several script).The film wants to expand the screen time of the characters, but doesn't really take the time to develop them as they did in the first movie. The film gives more time to Shane's band members Nate (Nick Jonas) and Jason (Kevin Jonas). It's not strange that Kevin screen time gets expanded, since he's proved his comical ability and a charismatic presence in several Disney projects. But the subplot with Nate and his love interest Dana (Chloe Bridges) from the forbidden group "Camp Star" is just contrived, unnecessary and doesn't add anything to the plot. Another noteworthy notion is the appearance of Demi Lovato. Yes, this notion has been discussed before, but her appearance as Mitchie was more restrained and natural in the first movie. Now with her black hair, light tan and tons of makeup, she appears as a different character. No 'one shall blame Miss Lovato for her desire to change her appearance (after all, she's still in the puberty), but perhaps she could have waited to dye her hair after shooting the sequel? It seems like the director were more eager to turn this sequel into a "High School Musical" flick, with a more musical feel to the movie and having the characters suddenly break out into song and dancing to cheesy, choreographed dances. The tone and feel highly resembles the "HSM" sequel and the message is more kid-aimed and more kid friendly than in the first movie.Okay, enough with the complaining; I did enjoy this movie to an extent. It has more kid friendly humor this time without being awkward, while at the same time, the tone is more mature as well. The film has several catchy songs, especially the excellent duet "Wouldn't Change a Thing" between Mitchie and Shane. The film introduces us to a few new characters, as the bragging and sexy Luke (Matthew Finley), Nate's love interest Dana, her cynical father who's the leader of Camp Star and even the youngest JoBro Frankie gets a cameo. The film has also its funny, sweet and sincere moments, has an unpredictable twist to the ending and a good moral.So while "Camp Rock 2" fails to live up to its predecessor, it still makes a cute, harmless and watchable family flick. It's not a masterpiece and it's not intended to be one either, but a light TV flick which doesn't make any harm. Now let's see if Disney has intentions of making a third movie.
... View MoreFirst off, let me start by saying that I only started watching Disney channel when I had my first child 2 years ago and I have seen some of the cheesiest acting on that channel possible. Enter the rare ray of sunshine known as Demi Levato and all that changes. I tune in to watch Sonny with a Chance every week, with the kids of course, and I am always entertained by Demi. Same goes here. Needless to say, I think this was an amazing effort by Disney to put out a quality film for both kids and adults alike and coming from a musical and dance background myself,I was captivated by every moment. Bravo gang and hope to see you back for a third summer.
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