Reviewed by: Thaisha Geiger
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
Moviemaking Quality: |
|
Primary Audience: | Kids Family Teens |
Genre: | Music Comedy Family |
Length: | 1 hr. 42 min. |
Year of Release: | 2009 |
USA Release: |
April 10, 2009 DVD: August 18, 2009 |
Featuring | Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Mitchel Musso, Moises Arias, Lucas Till, Vanessa Williams, Margo Martindale, Peter Gunn, Melora Hardin, Jared Carter, Barry Bostwick, Beau Billingslea, Katrina Hagger Smith, Emily Grace Reaves, Jane Carr, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Joshua Childs, Rachel Woods, Natalia Dyer, Jerry Foster, Adam Gregory, Shawn Carter Peterson, Jamal Sims, John Will Clay, Darrell Hammond, Michael Cornacchia, Valorie Hubbard, Tommy Barnes, Gary Schleimer, Jaci Cordell, Jack Hoke, Lisa Darr, Paul Perri, Mario Carter, Amber Hubert, Ashley Sundberg, Travis Allen Archer, Cole S. McKay, Ben Hatchell, Chris O'Reilly, James Alexander, Shane T. Anderson, Tyra Banks |
Director |
Peter Chelsom |
Producer | It’s a Laugh Productions, Millar Gough Ink, Walt Disney Pictures, John Albanis, David Blocker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Steven Peterman, Michael Poryes |
Distributor |
“She has the best of both worlds… Now, she has to choose just one.”
“Hannah Montana” is the typical children’s movie to the core: sweet, a bit sappy, and slightly far-fetched. Miley fans will most certainly be thrilled with the teen sensation hitting the big screen. As for Christian parents, this movie is relatively safe for viewing as long as an after-movie discussion takes place.
As in the show, Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) is an ordinary teen by day and the pop star Hannah Montana by night. The demands of being Hannah Montana start to completely take over her ordinary life. Miley begins to put fame, shopping and even gigs above her family members and friends. Believing that she’s losing her humble roots, her father takes Miley back to Tennessee for two weeks for a “Hannah Montana Detox.”
During her stay, Miley begins to fall for her old childhood friend, Travis. Much to the town’s dismay, their small community is also being considered for a big development project, unless they can find the money to pay for the land. On Hannah Montana’s trail is tabloid reporter Oswald Granger, who’s determined to find some dirt on the pop singer.
Only two kisses take place in the film. Impressively, the director only shows the back of their heads during the kisses. There are no curse words; the Lord’s name is profaned about 5 times. These profanities are only shrieked by two chaotic Montana fans and are barely understandable. Some females are shown in bikinis, and there are some very low-cut attire worn occasionally by the main cast. Some males were shown shirtless. Montana and Tyra Banks have a fight over some shoes. Hannah jumps on her back and throws the high heel at Tyra. While trying to distract Oswald, Miley opens someone’s truck and spills their potatoes, causing the reporter to fall.
In the beginning of the film, Miley is very disrespectful to her dad and blatantly disobeys him. Like the entire basis of the show, lying and deception are constant throughout the film. She lies to cover her true identity and whenever she feels it’s necessary. She doesn’t exactly apologize for these actions, but states that “she didn’t mean to.”
While some mild repercussions are shown about Miley’s lying, they are in no way realistic. Parents should take time to discuss with their children the true damage lies can have on any relationship. Most children’s movies use deception as their way of creating conflict, so many children might be desensitized, especially when it comes to telling “little white lies.” Take time to discuss with your children that God does not view any sin as “little.” One way of being a light for Christ is through our honesty. In Luke 16:10, Jesus said:
“whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
While the movie is extremely formulaic, adults might also be somewhat entertained as well. There were some funny moments. In addition, there are a good number of songs and performances throughout the film; Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift had pleasant singing cameos. With the above reservations, I recommend the film.
Violence: Mild / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: None
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Positive—This is response to the non-viewer comment Reynolds. I have to say that I was shocked at how rudely and judgmentally he attacked the reviewer’s faith and felt that I had to come to her defense. She writes some of the most biblically accurate reviews on this Web site. But above that, you should remember that God views all sin the same. You let your little girls watch “Hannah Montana”? Which is fine, but just because they do not profane the Lord’s name does not mean the show is morally sound, either. In the show, she also lies and is disrespectful. Those are sins as well. If you never want to expose your kids to any sin, then you might as well never see another movie. It truly depends on which sins lead you to temptation. You should love other Christians and not attack someone simply because they used the word “about.” Thank you.
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½