Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam

I absolutely adore the music in this movie way more than the first one. The songs are just catchy and hold so much emotion. Camp Star was clearly better than Camp Rock but Camp Rock definitely had some amazing songs. The Jonas Brothers were really funny and sweet this time around. I loved that Shane (Joe Jonas) let go more in this one. Nick and Kevin were great and made me smile throughout. Mitchie's character could have been thought out more thoroughly. I wish she would've not been so rude to Shane. However, I do think she made up for that. The story was not as great as the first yet still held up. Overall, this movie is definitely worth it for the choreography, songs, and acting. It will put a smile on your face.

It seems that the only thing Disney can do is keep repeating itself over and over...with very little original anything being created. They are trying to promote another teen queen with using Demi Lovato in the starring role. While she can sing fairly well, her acting skills leave much to be desired. There is no depth to any of it. We are suppose to believe she is THAT upset about everything happening around her. The camp on the other side of the lake apparently has everything amazing going for them...and want to WIN the competition. The heck with having a fun and memorable summer...those kids are there because they ALL plan to be HUGE stars...soon...that is if their egos don't get in the way and they can prove they can actually sing, dance and perform. The well known Jonas Brothers show up..not as themselves...but as camp counselers...who are suppose to teach the younger kids how to be ROCK stars. Of course...two of the three seem to do OK..but one always seems to have issues...that we suppose to find funny..(Kevin..the now-married one...who never gets ANY love interest in any of their shows..)..While they do sing and play music...it isn't anything memorable at all. We know who we are suppose to cheer for...the good kids...the ones who have heart and are responsible...with or without adult supervision...which there is very little of most of the time. Lets' see...teenagers..left alone....in the woods...in cabins...HMMM..it adds up to more than just roasting marshmallows over the campfire. At least in the real world anyway. These are clean-cut Disney Kids though...and none have thoughts of anything even remotely out of line. What got me was they way these kids dressed...in the highest of fashion...very un-camping like attire. Who wears dresses and jewelery at camp? Both the girls and the guys were over-dressed big time. And yes...I know...it is a movie for pre-teens and teens that haven't outgrown family oriented programing. Trust me...in a few years...these same kids will think this stuff is lame. On to bigger and more adult themes...and then the next generation of Disney fans will come along. The way Disney crams their programing at everyone is ridiculous. It is like riding the rides in the Disney Parks...they are all fun the first few times you ride them...then after a while...you get tired of it all and wish for something else that is different and more memorable. The Disney of old is NOT the same as what they are cranking out today. Pity.

Although it wasn't a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, I did like the first Camp Rock. Camp Rock 2 was reasonably good I felt, but I think the first was superior. Camp Rock 2 does look good, with nice photography and lovely fashions and scenery.

I also enjoyed the songs. Maybe not as memorable or as toe-tapping as the first in the first, but the melodies were pretty groovy and the lyrics decent and easy to sing along to.

Demi Levato like in the first is a breath of fresh air, both as a singer and an actress she shows a lot of promise. The supporting actors are not bad either.

However, the story is predictable and perhaps if they slowed the pace down some of the relationships could have been more believable and less underdeveloped. There is also some corniness in the scripting, and a lot of the characters are on the stereotypical side.

Overall, reasonably good if in need of improvement. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Having children has turned me on to bubble-gum pop, and it doesn't get much tastier than Camp Rock 2. The songs are catchy, but there's real emotion behind the writing and execution, more than there needed to be, and certainly more than the air-headed High School Musical films. When Demi Lovato sings "Can't Back Down," there's a certain gravity and toughness to the performance, and the song rocks like a boxing training montage. The background dancer's moves are somewhere between martial arts and sign language, and are executed with chilling precision. In contrast, "It's On" bounces with youthful energy, although I admit to being puzzled when putting the captions on ("let me see how you bob" will haunt me for months to come). The Camp Star numbers are all Vegas and Cirque glitz, and newcomer Mdot Finley owns the stage like an R&B Bono. The bittersweet "This Is Our Song," sung as the campers gather around a fire and uncertain of the fate of a place they've grown to love, turns defeat into victory by the sheer joy of singing in unison, of harmonizing with people you've bonded with. Do I take this stuff too seriously? Undoubtedly I do, but put that down to the genius of the songwriters and the likable performers Disney has under their wing. Well done.

On the positive side, "Camp Rock 2" delivers on its promise of fun and catchy musical numbers, featuring talented young actors such as Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, and Alyson Stoner. The film also showcases the importance of teamwork, friendship, and pursuing your dreams, making it an inspiring watch for kids and teens.

However, as an adult looking back at the movie, it's hard to ignore the cheesiness and cringiness of some scenes and dialogue. The plot is predictable, the characters are one-dimensional, and the acting can feel forced at times. Additionally, some of the songs and dance sequences can come across as overly rehearsed and manufactured, lacking the spontaneity and energy of a live performance.

Overall, "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" is a fun nostalgic watch for those who grew up with the original movie and enjoy musical comedies. However, it may not hold up as well for adult viewers who are less forgiving of its cheesy and predictable elements.