14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Olsen Reality TV?, May 10, 2004
"The Challenge" continues (and perhaps wraps-up???) the Olsen twins direct to video line of franchise movies, this time taking the girls to Mexico for a "Survivor-esque" reality game show.
THE STORY:
Shane and Lizzie Dalton (Mary-Kate and Ashley) are estranged sisters who unknowingly enter the same "Reality Game Show" competition for college scholarship money where, among other things, they have to learn to tolerate each other, compete in "Survivor-esque" contests, battle "evil" TV producers and of course, work through boyfriend problems. In the end the girls learn the meaning of family.
THE ANALYSIS:
All in all, this is definitely one of the best Olsen twins efforts and marks a fitting end to their "pre-adulthood" films and direct-to-video line. While the "Faux-Survivor" bit was a little cheesy at first, the action is top-notch for a "family" film courtesy of all the outrageous "Survivor"-type challenges and the message of family the film shares is just awesome. In a strange but appropriate nod at the end of the film the girls and characters "break character" to acknowledge the twins past accomplishments and a montage of the girls in their films throughout the years make an appropriate end to not only this movie but their "pre-adulthood" career.
THE DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
Like most Olsen DVDs you've got a stuffed DVD features section, but unfortunately most of it is fluff. Included in the DVD special features are:
1. Behind the Scenes featurette: 7 1/2 minute featurette where the cast and crew (primarily the twins) talk about the movie and their experiences filming it.
2. Trailers: The Multi-million dollar Olsen marketing machine was in full force here!!! The twins shill the following from their extensive product line as well as the Warner Brothers product line:
a. "New York Minute" Movie Trailer
b. Their extensive DVD/Video Catalog
c. "Getting There" Movie
d. "When In Rome" Movie
e. Mary-Kate and Ashley Super Spa Day Fashion Dolls (?????)
f. Their line of books
g. The "Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action" cartoon series on ABC.
h. Their website "MarykateandAshley.com" where you can get all the latest information!!!
i. Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos (where THIS film was filmed)
j. "What A Girl Wants"
k. "Twas the Fight Before Christmas Powerpuff Girls"
l. the "Tom and Jerry" Catalog of videos
m. "Saddle Club: The First Adventure"
3. Trivia Quizzes - Test your knowledge on the film and the twins!!!
a. "The Challenge: Don't Spill the Beans" Quiz - Answer the same questions as posed to the contestants during the movie
b. "The Challenge: Know Your Challenge Contestants" Quiz - Test your knowledge of the various characters in the movie
c. "Mary-Kate and Ashley Movies: What Happened Where?" Quiz - How well do YOU know your Olsen twin films?
d. "Mary-Kate and Ashley Movies: Who Played Whom in What?" Quiz - How well do you know the characters the girls played in their films?
THE VERDICT:
In all, overselling in the DVD features aside, the movie was great for a family viewing. Olsen fans should love this installment in their ever-growing video franchise series. While the "Faux-Survivor" concept was a bit cheesy this film probably had the best mix of adventure and story out of all their films and the message of "family is important" is as great a message to share in a film as any. Parents should be pleased with another clean, quality product from America's favorite twins. Overall, not a bad addition to their franchise and a fine choice to add to your Olsen collection if you're so inclined.
GRADES:
Film: 4.5 stars
Extras: 3.5 stars
Overall: 4 stars
Highly Recommended
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow! Mexico, December 28, 2003
By A Customer
this movie was amazing, probably one of the best the twins have EVER made,and it was filmed in beautiful MEXICO I had never seen it,but I've gotta say it's amazing, I'm talking about the movie and mexico, I'm glad they finally went to film to a latin american country! The movie is perfect for the whole family
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Enjoyable, December 1, 2003
While I found this movie more enjoyable than their last two, When In Rome and Getting There, it still does not come close to being as good as earlier titles such as Holiday in the Sun and Winning London.
The story revolves around a group of teens divided into two teams on a TV game show, basically an exact replica of Survivor (the only difference is that they're competing for college scholarships). Mary Kate and Ashley play twins each living seperatly with one parent,with very different lifestyles, one is goal driven while the other is laid back.
The plot is predictable and semi enjoyable, with the usual romance and adventure everyone has come to expect from these movies. The only part of this film that I truly enjoyed was the very end, which will surely crack up any fan.
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