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101 of 110 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top Notch Film, May 24, 2000
O.K., let me explain myself. I'm a 29 year old male. I am a big fan of extreme horror films, and find most films along the lines of Disney fare as worthless pap or worse. Having established that, I was flipping through the channels one Sunday and stumbled over this little gem on the Disney channel. I left it on figuring I could smirk and do a "MST3K" treatment on the movie. Incredibly, I found myself drawn to the characters and the movie. Even to this day I still check the monthly TV bulletin we get to see if it's on. In fact, it's on as I write this review. I actually taped the film, something I almost never do. What can I say? I'm not made of stone, folks. The best thing in this film by far is Danielle Harris. What a major babe! Man! Not only is she a great actress, she is so attractive and vivacious that the viewer is drawn into the film and really cares what happens to her character. Most would probably argue that Katherine Heigl is a knock-out, and she is pretty, but Harris manages to steal the movie. But it's really not about looks. Both of these fine actresses manage to turn in a stellar performance. Just thinking about some of their scenes brings a smile to my face. The movie is a sort of "Feaky Friday" type of film, but this one is much more fun, as well as updated into the '90's. Another thing that is great about it is that it's a clean film. Any parents that are reading this: try and find this for your kids. They will probably thank you for it. Just so I don't make this a long rant on the wonderous abilities of Danielle Harris, (Did I mention she steals the movie?) did anyone notice how great the band was that played at the dance? How many films have you seen where the band at the dance totally sucks? Not in this film! That alone earns the movie five stars. Wish Upon a Star is a rare film. I suspect alot of people would get a kick out of this movie. This movie is smart, funny, and upbeat. Amazon, find some copies! And Ms. Harris, if you are ever filming in Omaha, look me up!
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22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprised and thrilled, July 10, 2001
I'm not a big fan of the Disney Channel. In fact, I feel that Disney in general has been slowly degrading in the last few years. I happened across *Wish Upon A Star* on TV by chance and I thought it looked as cheesy as anything...but it turned out to be a beautiful movie. The story was universal. Who *hasn't* wished they were someone else? Especially their sibling, who seems to have everything they lack? And of course the magic of Disney can make it happen...sounds kind of dumb; but it was great. The acting was really good, especially Harris and Heigl; it was totally believable. The other more minor characters were typically Disney cute, yet that not only offset the sisters' profound characterizations, but lent the movie a lovable touch. I don't mean that the sisters were shockingly original or even that their characters are very deep and realistic. "Brainy plain Jane" and "boy-crazy fashion plate"? Where have we heard that before? However, the actors themselves were wonderful, and they really made the sister relationship come alive. They were sisters, and it was real and it was beautiful. As ever, the modern Disney personality - cute wacky craziness, healthy, hearty, but often insecure people - asserts itself. But because you like the characters, it's totally okay. In fact it actually is funny and interesting and riveting because there's substance behind it. Hailey and Alexis' wacky exploits by which they try to outdo each other, ruin each others' image, are hilarious. It's true that this movie was stereotypical to the extreme --- a good-looking basketball star going out with the homecoming queen shoo-in, a shy, dorky best friend, three snobby followers of the most popular girl in school, even the severe, uptight school principal who's secretly a real person (as outgoing as any Disney character). Yet this movie really worked. *Wish Upon A Star* made me laugh and snicker, and conversely, smile and get teary. Strangely, it was stereotypical, yet lacked all pretense.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly Entertaining!, February 22, 2007
I first knew about this movie from a friend's recommendation. I love Grey's Anatomy and Izzie is my favorite in it so I wanted to watch Katherine Heigl's previous work. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by it. While the story is undoubtedly cliched, the girls' performances were great.
I liked Danielle Harris in this movie. She's funny and cute. She did both Hayley and Alexia-as-Hayley very well, especially the latter. That table dance at the cafeteria was hilarious! I do think that Katherine stole the movie, however. She had the harder job of playing a shy, insecure little girl trapped in a tall, gorgeous body but she did a beautiful job of it. Her every shy smile and excited squeal leaves us in no doubt that it is actually Hayley in Alexia's body. I especially loved the part when they were taking the Princesses' pictures for the paper and she was making these outrageous faces. I forgot how funny Katherine can be. It really makes me think her comedic talents are being underused in her show, but that's another story.
A small piece of trivia: Danielle Harris played the younger sister but she is actually a year-and-a-half older that Katherine Heigl. It made sense to reverse the girls' roles. Katherine is not only at least a foot taller than Danielle, she is also has the quintessential 'popular girl' look. Besides, since they were supposed to have switched bodies, each of them were playing their own age for most of the movie anyway. I think the girls were perfectly cast.
The supporting cast were also great. I especially enjoyed the performance of the actress who played their mother. She played her part as a mother torn between her motherly instincts and 'the experiment' convincingly. The rest of the cast really didn't have enough scenes to develop their characters but that's okay since the movie was about the sisters anyway. They did a good enough job given what little material they had.
Too bad they don't make wholesome movies like this anymore. We need more good, clean, funny movies like this.
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