Adventures in Appletown

Decent watch, can't say I'm going to watch it again, but can recommend for younger audiences and mystery lovers.

So, because this is almost as interesting as the movie: apparently this was realeased in 2008 (IMDb) as "Adventures in Appleton", then was re-released in 2011 as "Kings of Appletown", and then released in 2013 as "Hidden Treasure of the Mississippi". Either Disney was desperate to get this to make money or their lawyers were very active.

The movie itself isn't great, it's a basic Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew story without any flair. Don't get me wrong, there are a couple small twists, but it's a weak b storyline and its hard to root for kids that have regular access to dirt bikes and jetskis but seem privileged enough to pay $3 for fair stuff, but still have to paint the fence themselves. Hell, he didn't even trick his friends into doing it (Go watch Huckleberry Finn).

The real problem is that it was obvious that Disney thought their names would draw viewership here, but they didn't market it as "Zach and Cody" and "Victorious" so I doubt it worked.

Being a Disney kid star spoils you, it rots your brain, at least a little, and not everyone bounces back into a good actor right away.

Although filmed 5 years ago, 'The Kings of Apple Town' is not a disappoint. As a massive Sprouse fan who was fortunate enough to see the film in Australia on FMC, I can tell my fellow international Sprousers to just hang on a little bit more, it will be out in four months and you will be able to see Dylan and Cole in their best role yet, that will make you fall in love with them even more then you are. It was a real shock to see the twins and Victoria Justice in these roles. I could't believe they were the same people, their characters were so real and it had some major scenes in the film that make you want to grab a twin and hold him tight. Being so used to Suite Life, seeing them play these roles is refreshing and it makes you wish that hopefully after the twins finish college they'll do some more acting. They have talent beyond Disney, amazing talent, that could get them far. To us Australians, it was a real treat to finally see the most anticipated Sprouse movie first, but I do feel for the rest of you guys who haven't seen it yet. But I hope this little review has made your mouths water and start a countdown for when the film is released on DVD in January 2013.

The only other review here is by an Australian who obviously worships the twins who star in the movie, but to those of us not from Downunder, their talents are nothing to write home about. If you want to see truly good acting by children, then watch To kill A Mockingbird, or even The Goonies, and Matilda. The kids in Appletown come across like they are reading their lines from the phone book and simply lack charm. The plot is very average--something kids might enjoy, but there is nothing here for grown-ups. A good children's film has enough charm and good writing to amuse adults as well as children. Shrek is a good example of a movie that was just as entertaining for the adults who take the children to the movie as for the children they are taking. A good kid's movie also teaches the viewing children a valuable life lesson, and this movie doesn't do that either. Again, films such as To Kill A Mockingbird do that, as does Second Hand Lions, another outstanding film. To just pop in a DVD to entertain the kids, it's okay, but don't waste your time.