Image of Miley Cyrus's controversial Teen Choice Awards performance courtesy of Stylefrizz.com

I get a kick out of my younger cousin. She’s got a sassy, spitfire attitude and a flair for the dramatic. She’s confessed to me before that she’s going to be a star. Her favorite performers are the Jonas Brothers, the High School Musical crew and, of course, Miley “Hannah Montana” Cyrus. Today however, young Disney stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Cyrus seem to have grown up so fast and left their young fans in the dust. The “Disney machine” has created some tween sensations who may not be the best influences on the young audiences they were initially molded for.

I don’t have a problem with young stars in general. I, like my cousin, was a Disney buff growing up. Back in my day, the tween sensation was Hilary Duff and her show, Lizzie McGuire, was one of my favorites. A group of my friends and I even asked our parents to exempt us to leave school early one day so we could go see her movie.

Now the similarities between the beginning careers of Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus may seem close. But I don’t remember Hilary Duff posting risqué pictures of herself online, posing nearly nude for Vanity Fair, shacking up with older boyfriends and grinding on a pole at the Teen Choice Awards. If you hadn’t guessed, these are all things Cyrus has done within the past few years while still starring on her Disney show. Even Hudgens, Zac Efron’s on-screen and real-life girlfriend, has had pictures of her posing naked leaked to the press — twice!

I always worry that young girls, like my cousin, are seeing the not-so-great aspects of these girls who live in what I would dub a fantasy-land (Hollywood isn’t exactly the real world). Young girls seem to be more advanced than I was at their age. For example, I wasn’t allowed to have a real boyfriend until I was in high school.

In a 2007 article in Newsweek, a first-grade teacher who was interviewed said she notices a difference in her students citing, “girls using words like ‘sexy,’ singing pop songs with suggestive lyrics and flirting with boys.” In an age where kids spend a large amount of their time with some form of media, it’s not hard to see why they may begin to be influenced by what they see.

However strong the media and celebrity influence may be though, it seems parents can counteract these and are doing so in response to the heightened influence of pop culture. Family members, teachers and good friends have a more immediate impact on kids than, say, Cyrus and her pole-dancing ways. If these people instill a foundation of values for kids, they’re likely to follow them.

This may be true, even for the Disney-loving set. Surprisingly, Cyrus was rated as the Worst Celebrity Influence of 2009 by tweens and teens on an online poll. It seems that our nation’s Disney kids prefer Hannah Montana to sexy Cyrus.

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Image courtesy of Thewomensfoundation.org

Disney has made its mark as the authority on fairytale princesses. Since the 1937 release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, we have met Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine. The Disney princesses have been beloved by young girls for generations. Disney seemed to break down barriers this year when it introduced its first black heroine/princess in The Princess and the Frog. Since the dawn of Disney, only three heroines have been of a different ethnicity or race; Pocahontas who was Native American, Mulan who was Chinese and Jasmine who was of Middle Eastern descent. Yet an uproar has occurred over whether Tiana, the heroine of The Princess and the Frog, truly breaks down barriers of race and gender. Disney has a history of racial and gender stereotyping which is perhaps why there is a heightened focus on its first black heroine.

In the movie, Tiana is a hard-working waitress who works two shifts so she can open up her own restaurant. Naveen is a bachelor prince who has been living the fast life and avoiding responsibility which has led him to be cut off financially; he must marry a rich girl in order to gain back his fortune. He runs into a voodoo man who turns him into a frog. Mistaking Tiana for a princess, he convinces her to kiss him but she is turned into a frog herself. The two embark on an adventure to become human again. Ultimately, they end up falling in love and learning from one another.

Critics say that although Tiana is black she spends a majority of the movie as a frog which doesn’t say much for breaking racial barriers. They also find fault with the fact that her prince is not black as well (although others praise the interracial relationship), and they feel the story’s setting (New Orleans) is upsetting because it is the location of where a large black community was distressed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Aside from issues of race, Tiana also seems to follow a similar pattern for female characters in Disney movies. Although Disney’s heroines have gotten more independent, intelligent and downright “spunky,” the fact remains that these women always end up with the leading man. The message comes across that although Tiana is working hard for her dream, she is incomplete without love.

I watched the movie to see what the controversy was about. What I saw was the same Disney formula of color, music and magic that I loved when I was little. Perhaps there are some grains of truth in the critics’ arguments, but I think the message of the story stands out more; you can accomplish your dreams with hard work and dedication. Tiana ends up with the guy but she doesn’t give up on her dream of having her own restaurant. Princess Tiana speaks to girls and women in the modern age that you can have love and your career. You really can have it all.

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It began in 2006 as a hit Disney Channel TV series and then branched out to the big screen in 2008 with Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert.  Now the “Hannah Montana” phenomenon is all grown up with a full-length feature film entitled Hannah Montana: The Movie.  Just as the franchise continues to grow in success, the film depicts Hannah’s continued climb to stardom as an international pop sensation.

At the film’s start, Hannah seems to be the girl who has everything, but somewhere amidst the hair, make-up and Rodeo Drive shopping sprees, Miley has begun to get lost in the shuffle.  In an attempt to help her return to her roots, Miley’s father (Billy Ray Cyrus) tricks her into going home to Tennessee for her grandma’s birthday.  This is where the adventure begins, as Miley reconnects with her family, falls in love and rediscovers herself in the countryside of her home town of Crowley Corners.  Miley is joined on the big screen by several favorites from the TV show and additional cameos by Tyra Banks, Taylor Swift, and Rascal Flatts.

Hannah Montana: The Movie was definitely not on my must see list, but since it was a slow weekend as far as releases, I thought I would give it a shot for the sake of you, i am that girl readers.  I walked into the theater with several preconceived notions about this film, despite the fact that I’ve never even seen an episode of the TV series.  I was expecting screaming tweens, blond wigs, and bad pop songs… So when I actually got a touching coming-of-age story, I was pleasantly surprised.

Miley is likeable on-screen and it’s hard not to fall for her charm and youthful energy.  There is an innocence about her that is endearing and the film proves to be genuine and heartfelt overall.  While the plot seems fairly generic and borders on corny cliché at times, it is perfectly suited for its target demographic of young girls.  There is also a wholesome message at the film’s core about finding yourself by returning to your roots and the importance of knowing where you’re from to get to where you’re going.

In the end, it’s all about the journey or “the climb” as they refer to it in the film and as Miley learns, no matter how much commercial or financial success you may achieve, knowing who you are and staying true to yourself is the true definition of success.  The film also offers an interesting depiction of fame through the Miley Cyrus/ Hannah Montana dichotomy, delving into how notoriety can change people and the importance of staying grounded.  In terms of production value, this big-version is well shot and directed and while the music lacks originality, it’s still catchy and appropriate for the story.

That Girl says: Like it! This is almost embarrassing to admit, but Disney delivers an upbeat and uplifting tale that is sure to make audiences smile.  It may be formulaic, but it’s a formula that works and transfers nicely from the small to the big screen.  Amidst the clutter at the box office, it’s encouraging to find a film that promotes the importance of a woman knowing herself and Miley seems to be a positive role model that young girls can identify with.

Release Date:  April 10th, 2009 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  102 minutes
Rated:  G
Company:  Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana / Miley Stewart
Billy Ray Cyrus – Robby Ray Stewart
Emily Osment – Lilly Truscott / Lola Luftnagle
Jason Earles – Jackson Stewart
Mitchel Musso – Oliver Oken / Mike Standley III
Moises Arias – Rico
Lucas Till – Travis Brody
Vanessa Williams – Vita
Margo Martindale – Ruby
Director: Peter Chelsom
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/hannahmontanamovie/#/home

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Witch Mountain is back in theaters this weekend, restarting the beloved Disney franchise of the 1970’s that began with Escape to Witch Mountain and continued with the sequel Return to Witch Mountain.  This latest installment, Race to Witch Mountain, stars Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as “The Rock”) as Jack Bruno, a Las Vegas cabbie who is thrown into an action-packed race against the clock when two teens with supernatural powers end up in the back of his cab.  Bruno and the alien twins, Seth (Alexander Ludwig) and Sara (AnnaSophia Robe), embark on an adventure through the Nevada desert as they attempt to get to Witch Mountain before it’s too late.  With the help of brilliant astrophysicist, Dr. Alex Friedman (Carla Gugino), they must solve the secrets of Witch Mountain in order to save humanity.

I definitely remember watching the original films as a child and while this latest version doesn’t possess the magic of the originals, it seems to hold up on its own accord.  Perhaps the most action-packed Disney movie that’s ever been made, this film is appealing to both children and adults. The relatively unknown child actors are perfectly cast and Johnson and Gugino have a quirky chemistry that seems to work well on screen.  It’s short and quick-paced with action driving a relatively simple story.  There’s not much to it in terms of plot, but overall it’s an entertaining ride for parents to embark on with their kids.

That Girl says: Like It!  Race to Witch Mountain may not measure up to its predecessors, but it’s a film the whole family can enjoy.  It will remind adults of their love for the original films from the ‘70’s and expose a new generation of children to a classic science fiction franchise.  It may not be a hit with my demographic, but I can appreciate it as an action-packed adventure for parents and their kids.

Release Date:  March 13th, 2009 (Wide Release)
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rated: PG
Company: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast:  Dwayne Johnson – Jack Bruno
AnnaSophia Robe – Sara
Alexander Ludwig   – Seth
Carla Gugino – Dr. Alex Friedman
Ciarán Hinds – Henry Burke
Garry Marshall – Dr. Donald Harlan
Tom Everett Scott   – Matheson
Chris Marquette – Pope
Billy Brown – Carson
Kim Richards – Tina
Ike Eisenmann – Sheriff Antony
Director: Andy Fickman
Official Site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/racetowitchmountain/

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Disney’s High School Musical makes its leap from the small screen to the big screen this weekend for its third chapter, High School Musical 3: Senior Year.  In what is supposedly the final installment in the franchise, the film finds East High’s students in the midst of their senior year, complete with a basketball championship, prom, graduation and, of course, their final high school musical.  The Wildcat seniors create an elaborate production that reflects their last four years together as well as their hopes and fears about the future.

Central to the story is the relationship between high school sweethearts, Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) who are torn by the prospect of being separated when they head off to college.  Featuring 10 new original songs and countless dance numbers, the HSM ensemble attempts to create some memorable moments before graduation both for themselves and for the audience.

While from a business perspective it’s easy to see why Disney would op for a theatrical release over a television premiere this time around, I actually prefer the HSM phenomenon on the small screen.  The songs are high-energy and the choreography impressive, but something about watching this story unfold on the big screen makes it feel too over-the-top.  Rather than being sweet and fun, it comes off as corny and over-done.  The opening basketball sequence and a later scene that involves dancing in the rain scene were so cliché and ridiculous that I found myself laughing out loud.  While Zac Efron charms as usual, his counter-part, Vanessa Hudgens, is lackluster on the big screen as she dances gracelessly and her acting does little to save the film’s trite dialogue.  I normally consider myself a fan of musicals and even a fan of this franchise, but this big screen retrofit unfortunately failed to deliver.

That Girl says: Leave It!  While this film will undoubtedly be a teeny bopper hit, it doesn’t deliver for a broader audience.  The kids may be cute and the music catchy, but the big screen version felt too much like a production to be genuine.  Save it for the small screen and rent the DVD.

Release Date:  October 24th, 2008 (Wide Release)
Running Time:  100 minutes
Rated:  G
Company:  Walt Disney Pictures
Cast:  Zac Efron – Troy Bolton
Vanessa Anne Hudgens – Gabriella Montez
Ashley Tisdale – Sharpay Evans
Lucas Grabeel – Ryan Evans
Corbin Bleu – Chad Danforth
Monique Coleman – Taylor McKessie
Bart Johnson – Coach Jack Bolton
Director:  Kenny Ortega
Official Site:  http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/highschoolmusical3/

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