Customer Reviews

The Challenge

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"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

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

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.

Excuse me, for those people who think that this movie is lame, not worth watching and ... ,you guys are wrong! You should focus on the good points of the movie, not the bad ones! And all in all, I would say that this movie is the best Mary-Kate and Ashley movie I've seen so far!The Challenge had so many phases which was exciting, and thumbs up for all the great extras!The personalities were split into suitable ones for each character! For example, Kelly was overly confident and she played her part very well! I feel that this movie has an original twist from the other movies. This is the best piece of work done by Craig Shapiro. If you are one of the people who hate this movie and are reading my review, I suggest you compare YOURSELF with Mary-Kate and Ashley! you know why i'm sayin this? cuz if you are saying that they suck, you are lookin down on them, which means you think you are better than them! Well, prove it! I am actually not a fan, but I think that the movies made by MK and A are splendid! So there!Think twice about your bad comments! And those who have not watched this movie yet, do NOT lose the chance!

The film The Challenge is Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's last direct to video film before going to the big screen with New York Minute. In the movie the Challenge, Mary-Kate Olsen plays the character of Shane. A relaxed girl who doesn't eat meat, likes yoga, and is pro-nature. Ashley Olsen plays the character of Lizzie. Lizzie has very high goals for herself, she likes things to go smoothly (she's never ever late for anything), enjoys steak (opp. for Shane), and is basically a perfectionist. When the two girls meet they are shock, but both decide to stay because of the prize at stake-a college scholarship. The show's rules are curfew by ten and no romantic entanglements. As in all the other films, the girl's characters meet boys which they become interested in. I liked the idea for the movie because its original and something different from what the girls usually do. The film is pretty entertaining. It does a good job is mixing humor, romance, and adventure. The only reason why the film gets four stars instead of five stars is because the challanges they do are a bit on the easy side. However, the film has so many fun things in it, that it helps compensate. Also, without giving away too much information, the ending of the film is great. It wraps up Mary-Kate and Ashley's home video series with a song and clips and it even takes on a hilarious take from past films. The movie is worth renting if not owning. Hope this review helps.

This is the best Mary-Kate and Ashley DVD there is and it is now my fav. movie. My whole family loves it! The myans started out losing and they ended up winning because Lizzie (Ashley) and Shane (Mary-Kate) stopped fighting.
This is the BEST movie/DVD in the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't already have it, get it!
P.S. I am a big fan.

About The Challenge:
"The Challenge was filmed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It's about a group of kids
who are in a teen survivor-type game, competing for collage scholarships.
Mary-Kate and Ashley play sisters who do not like each other. Their parents are
divorced and one girl lives with their father in Washington while the other
lives with their mother in Los Angeles. Unfortunately they get put on the same
team with a group of other kids, and Mary-Kate and Ashley are constantly

fighting. They have to learn to work together or they'll blow it for everybody.
Of course they learn to get along with each other by the end of the movie! "It
was a nice twist on the roles Mary-Kate and I usually play," Ashley says. "It
was kind of fun to have a conflict between us." "I really liked the Survovor
aspect of the whole thing," Mary-Kate says. "And there's a cool surprise at the
end," she adds. "But I don't want to give it away. You'll have to see it for

yourself!"

this movie staring mary-kate and ashley olsen is a great movie. i like this movie because unlike some of their other movies it is not revoling around boys. this movie is about sister hood and working together as a team and reaching and working for the gold. this is a great movie for sleppovers.

This movie is probably the best Mary-Kate and Ashley movie ever made. It is about twins (obviously) that moved away from each other due to parent relocation. They both want to be on a reality game show to get a chance for a college scolorship, but don't know that eachother will be there. They end up being on the same team, and keep losing the events because all they do is fight. They soon realize that they have to get along to win. They make a comeback, and both the teams become tied. I won't give away the ending because it is so great. GO SEE IT!!!!!!!!!

This is the best mary-kate and ashley movie I have ever seen and I have seen all of them! If you like Mary-kate and ashley you will love this movie. Trust me.