As Hannah Montana's popularity begins to take over her life, Miley Stewart, on the urging from her father takes a trip to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tennessee to get some perspective on what matters in life the most.
At The Movies
Hannah Montana: The Movie (G) * * *
Homeward Bound!
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Life on the road can be a drag. Problems can also occur when you’re a celebrity. Lifestyles of pop/rock royalty gets sent up brilliantly in Hannah Montana: The Movie, a savvy take on the perils of fame from Walt Disney Pictures. Attempts to capitalize on the faults of being rich and famous have been done before. Here director Peter Chelsom (Shall We Dance) succeeds in giving fans a new take on a pop icon. Catch all the excitement at the Oakridge Cinemas, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.
Unless you’ve been living in a cave you must have heard by now of pop sensation Hannah Montana. Hot as ever our teen singing sensation wants to do what all celebrities drool over: capture the big apple. Under all the exterior, however, is a home town girl. News of a family event sees the real deal, one Miley Stewart being taken by good old dad back to her roots, despite the protestations of this egotistical overachiever.
Back home to the Stewarts is Tennessee. Against all sorts of misgivings Hannah is given a one way ticket to her home town with dad insisting that she stays for a brief period. Down on the farm all is not well as this city slicker must downplay her national and international image to keep her private life, well, private. A prying press and local fans, however make the ruse that the Stewart clan have put forth for a number of years all the more difficult to maintain.
Lots of history resides with Miley in her home town. Not accustomed to existing in a rural setting the city slicker learns how to adapt in a hurry. Old friends come and go and while on this forced leave from the big lights this teen must come to terms with lots of family issues and a crush or two that just happens along the way.
You can’t deny the star power and abilities of Miley Cyrus (Big Fish) who turns in a knockout portrayal of, well, her most famous creation. Real life dad Billy Ray Cyrus (Mulholland Drive) looks as natural as can be as both fathers in this story and also undergoes considerable angst trying to raise a child on his own. Genuine warmth exudes from their relationship and it’s quite a nice contrast comparing how folks live in the city versus the country.
Gold diggers and the sleazy press also come under fire here with Vanessa Williams (Eraser) walking a fine line as a publicist trying to manage Hannah’s return to her roots. Strong work from handsome Lucas Till (Walk the Line) as a good old chucks home grown boy and Melora Hardin (27 Dresses) as an unconventional ranch hand add to the combustion of this tale of family strife.
Solid songs, knockout concert performances in that fair like setting, a good comic touch and the natural charisma of Miley Cyrus make Hannah Montana: The Movie stand tall indeed. And you’ll be humming a new dance tune number all the way home. That’s guaranteed.
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