Product Details

• Actors: Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Brian Skala, Lukas Behnken, Sera Bastian
• Directors: Craig Shapiro
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: November 25, 2003
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000BUSRG
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,988 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

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• For more information about "The Challenge" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Combining the effervescent Olsen twins with the sizzling popularity of a Survivor-style reality show, The Challenge is a seemingly perfect concoction for Mary Kate and Ashley fans. In this G-rated jaunt, the perky twins play Shane and Lizzie, two estranged sisters who are unwittingly cast together to compete as teammates in seven grueling contests. Residing on separate coasts after their parent's divorce, the girls are polar opposites: Lizzie is ambitious and high-strung, while Shane is a tree-hugging vegetarian. Now in Mexico, they will eat, sleep, and socialize as one while a ruthless producer hopes the ensuing sibling controversy will spike the show's ratings. Amid the daring feats and romantic entanglements, the twins realize that their greatest challenge will be to accept each other's differences. If viewers overlook the painfully contrived plot and deplorable acting, the result is a clean, family film that goes no deeper than a pretty face. (Ages 7 to 12) --Lynn Gibson

Product Description

In their newest direct-to-video, Mary-Kate and Ashley embark on a Survivor-style adventure in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! Estranged teen sisters who live on opposite sides of the country are brought together as teammates in the TV show, "The Challenge", much to their surprise. In order to win the grand prize - college scholarships - they'll need to reconcile their differences, work together, and keep their romances a secret from the producers all at the same time!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Olsen Reality TV?, May 10, 2004

By	Mr. JKW "jkw" (Honolulu, Hawai'i) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"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

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost Enjoyable, December 1, 2003

By	sullivan_gurl "sullivan_gurl" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Challenge [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.