The REEL Addict 

CAMP ROCK
With CAMP ROCK, Ainsleigh and I were in agreement in several areas. We were both impressed by lead actress Demi Lovato. Though her vocals were – of course – impressive, most notably we liked the fact that she was normal and accessible looking – especially for a Disney bred star (that’s my editorial, not hers). By that we mean that all the people in HIGH SCHOOL ACTRESS are celebrity pretty, while Lovato is more relatable, “real life” pretty. She conveyed an image of being natural, of being herself. The funny thing is the film’s message about people needing to “be themselves” was one that didn’t work at all. Both of us felt that it was too Disney, too much of a lesson formed around contrived and forced situations. I would say it was too on the nose and preachy, while Ainsleigh put it much more endearingly: “It was too sticky outy.” It’s in stark contrast to HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL where a similar message is much more subtly integrated, but much more effective.

It’s because of the HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL comparison that CAMP ROCK brings about the one disagreement Ainsleigh and I have about the film. Though my niece enjoyed all the songs and the dancing in the film (and even wanted a bit more of it), I found it a bit dull and uninspired. It seemed to suffer from my own internal comparisons to HSM, and the fact that at times CAMP ROCK seems to be trying too hard to emulate HSM, yet without any of the charm. Largely perhaps because it forgoes more traditional musical structure, and instead finds a more “natural” way of integrating musical numbers into the story (it is a music camp after all).

In the end both of found minor positives within it, but were left a little underwhelmed.

Ainsleigh’s Overall Rating: B-

theREELaddict’s Overall Rating: C

HANNAH MONTANA AND MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Even though it’s hard to compare an actual movie with a concert film (it’s a bit like comparing apples and oranges or Gabriellas and Sharpays), both of us were still much more impressed with the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus musical extravaganza. Ainsleigh, now a concert veteran after having seen her first one (Avril Lavigne) with me early this year, praised Miley’s performance (and wardrobe). She really liked how Miley not only sang and performed well live (both in her singing and her dancing), but that she really seemed to get into it. It seemed like she was genuinely grateful to her fans and genuinely wanted to ensure they were having a good time. It was also clear that she loved what she was doing.

Ainsleigh also really appreciated when Miley thanked all the workers behind the scenes for doing jobs that are harder than hers and making the show possible, thereby helping her realize her dreams of maybe even being a rock star. On that note of behind the scenes, my niece enjoyed seeing the brief clips of some of the preparations that went into planning the concert, and especially liked watching how costume people scramble to change Hannah Montana into Miley Cyrus in thirty seconds.

As for myself, as a jaded adult it can be all too easy to question the sincerity of a Disney manufactured pop star, let alone become immersed in a concert placing said star front stage. You know what though? Even if the songs are poppy, they are undoubtedly catchy. I won’t lie, I went home and downloaded a few of them. I also agree with Ainsleigh’s assessment that Miley does perform well and is good to get the crowd involve, but more importantly for me is the fact that she does seem to genuinely love what she’s doing, and really throws herself into it because of that. Sure she’s 15, so of course she is probably loving every minute of her fame, but we’ve seen enough pop stars come and go who didn’t have half of Miley’s enthusiasm on stage. As for the sincerity, well time will tell if that is true. For now it does seem genuine, part of the Southern “Aw-shucks” that she carries around her (though I did roll my eyes when she thanked God). But given the fact that I was somewhat apprehensive about watching the film, I found myself pleasantly surprised to be enjoying the concert, the performance, the music, and the star.

Now if only I could get “See You Again” out of my head.

Ainsleigh’s Overall Rating: B+
theREELaddict’s Overall Rating: B