Lizzie McGuire, le film

I got trapped on a bus in Mexico watching this trash. I could shut my eyes but could not shut out the sound. What's wrong with the Lizzie McGuire movie? The awful title, the songs completely unmemorable except for the lousy lyrics, annoying performances by American actors badly feigning foreign accents, a script as predictable and unbelievable as a cure-all medicine label, a star drowning in CUTE. Disney spent a lot of money on this hokum and they deserved to be laughed off the planet. I realize that this film was not made for people in my age bracket, but if 14-year-old kids really liked it, I despair for the aesthetic future of the human race.

After graduating from high school, Lizzie is allowed to be part of a group of students that goes to Italy on a tour of historical monuments with the iron willed Ungermeyer. Out on one of their tours a famous singer mistakes Lizzie for his singing partner Isabella. Explaining how Isabella needs help and how Lizzie can help by pretending to be her, Paolo gets her to go along with the mistaken identity (for the resemblance is uncanny). However she begins to fall for him but he may not be all he seems. To make matters worse Lizzie's brother finds out via the web and begins to stir trouble.

I have never seen the TV or even heard of it (or the girl involved) but I was on a 9 hour flight to Atlanta and this was the movie that they were showing to help me pass my time (damn you economy class!) so I gave it a reluctant go. The film sets it's stall out straight away with a lively musical number and the cliché of teenage girl and nosy little brother etc. The animated add ins are not nearly as funny as they think they are but they are all part of the charm and energy that made this film watchable.

While it is clearly aimed at girls younger than McGuire herself, it is quite sassy and energetic. The plot is utter nonsense from start to finish but it bussles along just about well enough to get by. Duff herself is quite nice in the role – she is quite bubbly plus she isn't exactly hard on the eye! Borstein as Ungermeyer is worth a laugh or two but the majority of the teenage cast are average – esp Gellman who is given very little to do outside of talking 'ina da stereotyped Aitalian's accento!'.

Overall I stress that I have no intention of ever actually watching this movie again, but can't pretend that it's sassy, bubbly and energetic style helped me forget my flight for 90 minutes and also just about manage to find the find the fun hidden within the absurd plot.

I ended up seeing this show because my daughter is a big fan of the TV show. It was moderately entertaining and amusing. I am certain, if I were a adolescent/pre-teen girl, that I would enjoy it a lot.

My biggest complaints, as an adult viewer, were the fairly obvious potholes in the story.

#1. Paolo sang worse than me, which is truly amazing. In reality, if he was ever to get to the point of being a star with the ability to have all the fancy manipulations used to make his voice sound delightful on the studio cuts he was lip-syncing, he would have to a fairly decent singer to get any kind of break.

#2. The setting was in Italy, but everyone seemed more comfortable using English, except for the hotel clerk, whose language trouble was comic relief and the two girls the boys try to meet.

#3 Lizzie is substituting for is masquerading as an Italian popstar in a scenario full of Italians, but no one seems to notice she can't speak any Italian, except for "ciao" and a couple other words.

#4 At the end, when the family and friends burst through security at the awards ceremony, like that could happen, they end up front and center, like those seat were just sitting there reserved for the first group of gate crashers to coming busting in. And the crows seemed to be predominantly kids and average folks, not the pretentious wannabes and celebrities that surely would have made up the crowd at a real award ceremony.

The one thing I did like about the movie, and the TV show, is the approx. 3 year younger looking little cartoon Lizzie that regularly pops up. It is a really good way to handle inner dialogue and does really add something positive to the show.

As a parent, it's important to me that my daughter sees only wholesome movies and TV shows. Hilary Duff and her movies fulfill that need, and this movie is very entertaining for the whole family. Hilary Duff, if she gets intelligent representation, could easily be the Annette Funicello of her generation. This movie gets four stars for its content and entertainment value. Hilary's singing is on a par with the best of today's young singers, and her sweetness seems to show in all of her acting works. She is so very much the sweet girl whom you wish your son would bring home; the antithesis of the singer known as Pink.

I am writing this message on all the bad negative bashing on Lizzie Mcguire. First off I want to say I have a pretty good and diverse taste in films. I am into mostly classics of the 60s and 70s such as Chinatown, the Godfather and other movies of the time peroid. But like other genres also like horror, sci fi, good dramas. And every now and then a good old fashioned family film is fun to watch. I had read about Hillary Duff and that her show lizzie Mcguire was a big hit which my little niece watches it so I was like what the hell try it out. I loved it! It was real cute and fun with a little message behind it-what family film doesn't. I think Hill is so much more nice and sweet then all these other sleazy trampy young girl stars out there. Hell I have to admit even the songs weren't that bad, kind of catchy. That girl from Mad TV was great! I laughed my ass off as soon she came into the picture. She rules!

So anyway about all these bad messages posted about this film and Hillary. I know people have the right to their opinions but come on it's a family film! What do you expect Chinatown! Disney makes makes movies for everyones viewing. Can't expect something deep and disturbing. You can't review this film to heavy because it's family oriented. And as far as Hillary goes come on she's only what 16, 17? Can't expect her to do academy award work-esp for Disney! Maybe she will get better when she is older, if not who cares! She seems like a real smart down to earth gal with a good head on her shoulders. She is smart to not stooping low and cutting down Avril like she has been doing to her, saying things like she's such as mommys girl and belittling her. With all the violence and hardcore language in films today sometimes it's nice to watch a nice, feel good light family film which is is what Lizzie Mcguire has to offer.

Hill if you are out there I am behind you 100%! Keep up the good work! Dave from PA. PS just ignore Avril. You are above that