Airs on Disney Channel, ABC Family, ABC, and at DisneyChannel.com
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Review - "Camp Rock"
Reviewer: Cori Vella
Rating:
On the back of the success of the High School Musical and Hannah Montana franchises, Disney has created Camp Rock. The DCOM stars teen heartthrobs The Jonas Brothers and the lesser-known Demi Lovato (previously seen in Disney's short series As the Bell Rings).
Catchy music + pretty boys in tight pants = going to be watched and loved by countless kids, teenagers, and parents.
It's a formula that has been Disney Channel's cash cow for the last few years, and in the case of Camp Rock, it's a formula that continues to work. Camp Rock is a feel-good movie that emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself.
Mitchie Torres (Demi Lovato) gets the chance to live her dream of being a singer when her mother, Connie (Wizards of Waverly Place's Maria Canals Barrera), is hired at Camp Rock. Mitchie is permitted to take part in the camp's activities and classes so long as she assists her mother in the kitchen, which she quickly agrees to do. But Mitchie quickly gets caught up in the popularity game — befriending the Regina George of Camp Rock, Tess Tyler (Meaghan Jette Martin), and her two adoring followers Peggy and Ella (Naturally Sadie's Jasmine Richards and Hannah Montana's Anna Maria Perez de Tagle). In order to fit in with Disney's version of The Plastics, Mitchie finds herself lying to make herself seem more impressive. She tells them that her mother is president of a Chinese record company — which is a pretty difficult lie to keep under wraps with her mother, you know, present at Camp Rock.
Let's bring in another problem/love interest: Shane Gray (Joe Jonas) is the lead singer of Connect Three (the other two members of Connect Three are played by Nick and Kevin Jonas, the other two-thirds of The Jonas Brothers). Due to his spoiled, diva-like behavior, he's been sent to Camp Rock to work as an instructor in the hopes that it will humble and transform him. Towards the beginning of the summer, Shane overhears (but doesn't see) Mitchie singing one of her original songs. In true Disney "quick change of heart" style, Shane is reminded of why he became a musician in the first place. He sets out to find the "the girl with the voice," not realizing that it is Mitchie, whom he has befriended.
But of course, her earlier dishonesty comes to bite Mitchie in the butt when Tess finds out and reveals the truth. Shane is upset that Mitchie lied to him, and of course, Tess ostracizes Mitchie from her group. Mitchie moves on, though, befriending Caitlyn (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody's Alyson Stoner), who has been sentenced to kitchen duty for starting a mini food fight.
Tess, of course, isn't just content to ruin Mitchie's lie and leave it at that. She can't stand the idea of competition, and now, with Mitchie out of her "group", Mitchie is exactly that. She plants her expensive charm bracelet in the kitchen, which has the result of Mitchie and Caitlyn being banned from participating in the camp's Final Jam, a competition with the prize of recording with Connect Three. Keep in mind, however, that the camp director words it ambiguously: that they are banned from camp activities until the end of Final Jam.
But karma is a beautiful thing, and Tess's groupies, frustrated of always being in the background and taking her orders, bail right before Final Jam. Once Final Jam is declared officially over, Caitlyn and Mitchie perform, as it is technically "the end" of Final Jam. Mitchie sings the song that Shane overheard earlier in the summer — "That's the song!" He, of course, realizes that Mitchie's the one he's been looking for. Aw.
It's a storyline that has been done before. It's a formula, one that has proved to be successful many times over. So why does it work this time? It's cute. That's all. Cute. And honestly, what teenager doesn't want their life to turn out all right in the end?
One of its best features is its soundtrack. The songs are infectious and fun — so much so that I bought the CD the very next day. I'm listening to it right now as I'm writing this review! While not particularly deep, the lyrics are easy to remember and carry the general message of the movie. Be true to yourself, don't hold back, don't hide who you are.
Cute. Catch it if you get the chance; you'll be singing the songs for days.
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