Blu Ray Disks: Hannah Montana: The Movie (2pc) (W/Dvd) (Ws) [Blu-ray]

Hannah Montana: The Movie (2pc) (W/Dvd) (Ws) [Blu-ray] Review

When all is said and done, the Hannah Montana television series may go down as the best/most popular in Disney Channel history. After watching this corresponding film installment, I can confidently say that its legacy will also live on via the big screen.

Basically, all you need to know about the showing going in is the basic premise behind everything: Hannah Montana is an incredibly popular pop singer, but only plays the role when not being a "normal girl" as Miley Stewart, never to divulge her secret identity to the world.

In this movie, Miley goes (or, rather, is forced) back to her Tennessee roots when her Hannah persona gets a little too "big for its britches" out in Hollywood. While down South, Miley starts to remember what made her create Hannah in the first place, and is forced to make a difficult decisions that will affect the rest of her Hollywood career.

What really sets this show apart from other Disney fare is that the characters age/grow right along with the show. By the time this movie came out, Miley Cyrus is playing almost a completely different character than she did at the show's inception. Unlike some shows that re-tread the same basic scenarios time after time regardless of character age, Hannah Montana advances the characters, storylines, and subject matter appropriately, including in this film.

In terms of casting, all the "usual suspects" from the series are back, including guest appearances from celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts. Some may argue whether Cyrus has the acting chops to become a true big screen star, but there is no doubt that she shines in this duel-personality role.

Thus, this is a family-friendly film that I can easily recommend to watch with your younger siblings/friends. At first, you may feel uncomfortable watching such supposedly "silly" fare, but in short order you'll realize you're just watching an effective family film.

Hannah Montana: The Movie (2pc) (W/Dvd) (Ws) [Blu-ray] Overview

It's easy to forget that superstars are real people, but when Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) shows signs of forgetting her roots as Miley Stewart, her father Robbie Ray (Billy Ray Cyrus) puts his foot down. Miley has always strived to live a relatively normal teenage life, but when late stage entrances, exclusive shopping trips that end in brawling catfights, and ditching friends and family in favor of Hannah appearances become commonplace, Robbie Ray whisks her away from a date at the New York Music Awards for a dose of hometown reality at her grandma's in Crowley Corners, Tenn. Unfortunately, she's followed by Oswald (Peter Gunn), a relentless reporter from Britain's Bon Chic Magazine. Miley's initial fury at being tricked into staying at Grandma's spurs her to commence operation Save Hannah Montana, but her bad attitude eventually gives way to resignation and then the beginnings of reconnection between Miley and her family. As the days progress, Miley glimpses her growing self-absorption, finds she's attracted to old elementary friend Travis (Lucas Till), realizes that her selfishness has negatively affected her dad's personal relationships, and is drawn into her grandma's fight against the commercialization of Crowley Corners. A boastful impulse leads to Miley being charged with bringing Hannah Montana to Crowley Corners for a benefit concert; when Miley's worlds collide onstage, she reveals her true identity and declares that Hannah Montana is no more. Can Miley's hometown possibly keep Miley's secret, silence the reporter, and convince Miley that she can have the best of both worlds, or is this the end of Hannah Montana? Well-known Hannah Montana songs, including "Best of Both Worlds" and "Let's Get Crazy" are featured in the film as well as the fun new song "Hoedown Throwdown" (complete with line dance instruction), the heartfelt "Butterfly Fly Away," and the inspirational "The Climb." More important than the great music is the film's wholesome message about staying true to oneself and one's family and friends. (Ages 7 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Beyond Hannah Montana: The Movie on DVD