There were some fun and interesting moments throughout the film although like most Disney movies it's very cliché which is not always a bad thing but can a lot of times hold back a film from reaching greater heights. China Anne McClain's character was my absolute favorite throughout the film while I found her friend to be pretty annoying although in the end she received much needed character development. The machine guy was very likable while the other characters played their part well enough. One complaint I have is I want to see more movies where not everyone ends up with someone and that's seen as more than okay, and on the flip side of that I want to see more lgbtq characters on Disney channel especially more lgbtq main characters (and no that doesn't mean I don't want to see anymore straight characters it's just I want to see more of a balance because I can't even count any good lgbtq Disney representation on one hand). I feel that they really missed an opportunity with China's character because to me she seemed either aroace or lesbian which would really explain her mindset throughout the movie and those longing stares because if she was aroace than to her being best friends is already the ultimate relationship and if she were lesbian or even bi and just really in love with her best friend then that would explain those stares and just her overall behavior but instead they just randomly paired her up with her friends brother although there was zero chemistry there on her side. However I did like how in the end her friend did tell her former/ current crush? that they could maybe dance later and instead chose to spend time with China's character which is something they should have been able to balance already in my opinion considering how great of a friend she was.Overall I enjoyed the film and feel like it was a stepping stone, leading Disney channel out of it's brief drought after the end of its previous era although I did enjoy the Good Luck Charlie series and it's Christmas movie. This movie however was much better than most Disney Channel movies around its time; as much as I love Zendaya and like her current Disney show KC Undercover, her Disney channel movie Zapped bored me to tears. I would recommend this movie if you're bored and have some downtime, and I also would say it's a decent movie for your kids to watch, I would just make sure they finish it so they too can know that there's more to life than having someone to date and that they don't have to be any rush unless they find the movie eyeroll worthy and are already ten steps ahead, and in that case smart kid.

Illogical and sentimental movie. If you are looking for science- there is none. Halfway through the humour dies and it's all mushy romance and emotional dialogues. Apparently the Government is OK with scientists accessing 3 billion dollar black project from the comfort of their home. They are even OK with bunch of kids hacking into their network and even letting them all walk away like nothing happened!And the girl? Well, she's devastated when she learns her robot boyfriend is doing good stuff like helping people across the globe (like building schools). How could he leave her!? I quote: "Albert would never do this to me! He'll realize he's not a soldier and he'll come back to me!" And this is when I decided to eject the disc.

Terrific movie by Disney standards and any standards. The cast was excellent, it was very well written and funny. I liked the scientists being girls (girls so badly need good geek role models!) I also thought the boy they created was great: a dream boy but he was so smooth and charming and funny in a completely easy way. Girls will relate to this one and boys will too. The old Disney Family Movie model is alive and well and really enjoyable. The ending was fast paced, action packed and full of sentiment though oddly not that sentimental. In short, this is a real winner. I would watch it again. And probably laugh in all the same places. If you are looking for family entertainment, this is the right pick.

"How To Build A Better Boy" is a charming, beautifully written farce that is unlike most of these anodyne TV movies with teenage girls. First, the girls are the scientists, not the boys, and they are convincing scientists at that. I was laughing from the first five minutes in and I was touched at the end. Characters exceedingly well drawn, plot taut as a tightrope and within the confines of this genre, it shined with wit and humor. Girls will love this movie, and guess what boys will too. Everyone will. The robot they build was smooth, convincing and reminded me of a lighthearted "Terminator." This romp is a winner in every way!