Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Prepare to get starstruck", June 6, 2010
"StarStruck", the latest flick from Disney Channel, is a polished and tween-adjusted product for the hardcore Disney Channel fan base and a perfect film to its target group. While its not the very best original movie that I've seen from Disney Channel, it still makes a decent and passable watch to pass 90 minutes with.
It seems as Disney loves to milk the concept about pop stars connecting with the "real world", something that they've tried on "Hannah Montana", "Camp Rock" and now "Starstruck". Not that the concept is specifically worn out, but it has been used a couple of times to make the concept absent of any surprises or plot twists. "Starstruck" follows the same pattern and delivers a quite predictable story, without any innovative twists and turns (not that its ought to be expected by a TV movie, though). However, despite that and a few unsolved subplots, the film delivers a sincere and sweet love story, which actually works and comes off as believable.
Sterling Knight ("17 Again", "Sonny With a Chance") is spunky and charming as the pop star Christopher Wilde. The beautiful Danielle Campbell is passable in her role as the girl lead, Jessica Olsen and does look distractingly young compared to Knight (according to sources, she was fourteen during the filming). Although she's been given a less compelling part, she does pull some emotional moments quite well. Brandon Mychal Smith ("Phil of the Future", "Sonny With a Chance") is likeable as Chris' friend Stubby, while Maggie Castle is quite convincingly annoying as the Jessica's sister Sara, which is obsessed with Chris Wilde. However, its a pity that the likeable Chelsea Stub ("JONAS") has been given a rather thankless role.
The music, however, is the component on the film which disappoints a bit. Former Disney concepts as "High School Musical", "Hannah Montana" and "Camp Rock" has included catchy and enjoyable songs, the music of "StarStruck" is passable, but rather generic. Perhaps its time for Disney to hire some new songwriters/musicians for their films?
Overall, "StarStruck" may not be the greatest teen movie of all time, but its a cute, watchable movie on its own merit and delivers a cute, emotional love story. Take it for what it is.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
:), April 2, 2010
This review is from: Starstruck: Got to Believe Extended Edition DVD/CD (DVD)
It was quite predictable but very good, mainly because of Christopher Wilde.
It's your typical Ella Enchanted tale: Younger sister has to listen to older sisters rants
about the teenage heartthrob, ends up meeting/falling in love with him, etc, etc, etc.
I'm glad they made it into a movie!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"You killed Petunia!", November 8, 2010
STARSTRUCK tells a tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, and all that jazz. It's a Disney flick that should charm its pre-teen viewers with its dose of wholesome. The two young leads - Sterling Knight and Danielle Campbell - carry the load. It's a cinch that the target audience will forgive the cliches peppering this tale of a pop star teen idol struggling for a measure of normalcy in his crazy Hollywood life. Parents ought not to have problems with their kids parking themselves on the couch to watch this film. I've seen worse teen flicks, and STARSTRUCK is actually better than most.
A level-headed teen from Michigan, Jessica Olson (Danielle Campbell) has to visit her grandma in Los Angeles, but she's not at all enamored with the holiday trip. Not as gaga, anyway, as her older sister, what's her face, who proclaims herself the number one fan of teen pop sensation Christopher Wilde (Sterling Knight). But it's Jessica who accidentally bumps into Christopher Wilde, and it's Jessica whom Christopher hangs out with for an evening and a day, as they dodge paparazzis, see the sights, all along squabbling and sniping and inevitably falling for each other. See? Tale as old as whatever...
It takes a lot to impress Jessica, and Christopher's celebrity status and whining about the paparazzis only maker her roll her eyes. But Christopher is a pretty good dude and flashes those blue eyes, and Jessica isn't a robot. But reality steps in, or reality as it is in Hollywood, anyway, and it drives these two apart. Will Christopher, who is so not in control of his life that he can't ever say no to anyone, let a good thing slip away? Jessica just wants him to be honest. It kills her that Christopher is so mired in his larger-than-life existence, so oblivious about the things that really matter. Christopher thinks he's protecting her from the media, plus there's this notion that his being seen hanging out with an ordinary girl would ruin his chances at a movie deal. Both Jessica and Christopher kind of have a point (that is, regarding Christopher's trying to protect Jessica's privacy; the not wanting to be seen with her because of the movie thing is kind of a jerk move). But this is a Disney movie, where sad endings don't exist unless you're a dog with rabies. The story's climax allows our pining protagonists to make up in glorious Disney fashion, and it takes place in a *gasp* high school dance. I know, right? This has absolutely never been done before.
There's a chance that Danielle Campbell may have been just a tad too cranky, but I don't think her witchiness will turn off the audience. She and Knight have a spark together, and this really is what makes this movie so watchable. The songs are whatever, although Sterling does deliver that terrific acoustical performance by the pool at the party. Brandon Mychal Smith, Knight's SONNY WITH A CHANCE co-star, provides some chuckles and dude even raps some and his flow is tight. I'm swayed to rate this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This is the Extended Edition and here's the bonus material that's relevant to the film: the exclusive extended music scene - featuring the song "Got to Believe"; 3 music videos: Sterling Knight's "StarStruck", Anna Margaret's "Something About the Sunshine"; Stubby's "Party Up"; and "Rock Along" - an option on the DVD which allows you to sing along as the song lyrics pop up karaoke-style during the film's musical performances.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
