I have to admit, I’m a huge fan with it comes to watching musicals. I actually studied performing arts in school, and did my share of musicals, beginning as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz in second grade. My short-lived career culminated as the other half of a twin in my high school’s production of Brigadoon. Yep, these Disney Channel Original Movies are a wonderful flashback, as well as reminder of what’s possible for those who “wish upon a star.” Thus, I was anxiously counting down the days until this latest Teen Beach Movie would air. For all intents and purposes, the teasers led me as well as my two daughters at home, ages 14 and 6, to believe that this latest endeavor would be a hit. I experienced the first fanatical wave during the High School Musical 1, 2, and 3 phenomena with my two eldest daughters, one of whom is 17, and now attending her first year of college! We attended HSM sleepovers, sharing the highs and lows of Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), Troy (Zac Efron), and Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) drama. And, boy did we love how they broke out into song and dance. Wow, how time flies. As I predicted . . .
Cowabunga dude!!! This incredible story is by Vince Marcello (director, featurette version of the off-Broadway musical Zombie Prom, and An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars) & Mark Landry and the Teleplay is by
Vince Marcello & Mark Landry and Robert Horn (writer of “Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure,” writer of Broadway’s “13” and writer/producer of “Designing Women”). Directed by Jeff Hornaday (Disney Channel’s Geek Charming – my family loves this flick) and choreographed by Jeff Hornaday and Chris Scott (Disney Channel’s Lemonade Mouth, Step Up 4) was a fresh take on fun ‘60s teen beach movies.
Although summer is coming to a close, teen surfers as well as sweethearts, Brady (Ross Lynch, the fictional Internet teen pop star “AJ” of the Disney Channel show, “Ally & AJ”) and McKenzie/Mac (Maia Mitchell, the tough youth Callie on ABC Family’s “The Foster’s) are yearning to ride one more giant wave together. That is, until Mac’s stern, socialite Aunt Antoinette (Suzanne Cryer, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) shows up ready to whisk Mac away to a yuppie school and new life. For Brady, there’s nothing better than hanging out at the beach all day, then returning home and watching his fave 60’s beach flick, Wet Side Story. He keeps the movie on repeat, and sings all the songs with McKenzie’s grandfather, known to locals as Big Poppa (Barry Bostwick) is owner of a successful surfboard shop.
Surf’s up and all is good in the shop until and unbeknownst to Brady, Aunt Antoinette shows up, expecting McKenzie to leave with her for preparatory school the next day. Aunt Antoinette kills the happy mood by asking Mac, “Are you ready to go?” Brady quickly responds, “Go where? Mac, what is she talking about?” Brady then starts asking everyone in the room to respond. While Mac struggles for the right words, Aunt Antoinette is the first to brag about Mac leaving and returning to her home to attend one of the finest preparatory schools.” Brady is devastated – he’s expecting to spend a little more time with his love. On the other hand, Big Poppa is silently angry watching Mac, who is busy trying to fulfill her mother’s dying wishes without considering her own goals and dreams. Brady is livid, and reminds Mac of the hasty decisions she’s making.
Mac tells Aunt Antoinette that she’ll leave for school the next day provided she surfs one final day in order to catch a predicted big wave. Needless to say, Mac is swallowed by the biggest swell of her life. After attempting to save Mac, Brady is also pulled under wave, along with Mac’s magical, Hawaiian-inspired surfboard. Voila! They are stranded on Brady’s fave beach party film set, Wet Side Story. Of course, Brady is ecstatic!!
Just like most classic musicals, everyone breaks into song every few moments, and this drives Mac nuts. She’s on a quest to get home. While, on the other hand, Brady is on a journey to have the best summer ever!! He knows all the dances; is a natural-born singer; and feels like this might be his only chance ever to rock out with his favorite movie performers!! After spending too much time in the on the “Wet set,” Mac and Brady start morphing into movie characters. Things become more stickier and sillier when the star-crossed lovers, Lela (Grace Phipps, ABC Family’s “The Nine Lives of Chloe King) and Tanner (Garrett King) mistakenly fall for Brady and Mac, instead of each other.
This movie has all the elements of a good time. My 6-year-old is already begging to have the DVD on repeat… On the other hand, my 14-year-old vows our Teen Beach Movie (as she places the DVD on high bookshelf) DVD will not be scratched up like the other HSM DVD’s . . . RIP DVD’s . . .
Teen Beach Movie, available now, including Exclusive Behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, and never-before-seen “Coolest Cats In Town” number, Plus Free Surfboard Zipper Pull.
That’s IT Mom Penny
Rated = G
90 min
*This giveaway will run through midnight on Aug 16, 2013 (EST). Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact us before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. (18+) residents only.
* We did not receive monetary compensation for this review. Penny received a DVD from Disney to facilitate this review. Giveaway item will be provided by sponsor. Sponsor has the right to refuse filling prize for duplicate winners from other blogs. This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service. The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.
