Alice - Una vita sottosopra

This movie would appeal to most ages, not just teens & pre-teens.

First for the 70's & 80's, Penny Marshall portraying a tough teacher. She turned out to be a little caring later on, had a little Laverne DeFazio in her.

Then for the 90's, Luke Perry of classic 90210. He owned a music store & showed his hidden talent that he could play the guitar & sing. Guess Dylan McKay didn't want to pose a threat to either David Silver or Ray Pruit.

And for this decade, Lucas Gabriel. The High School Musical star who boldly did what no HSM star would dare do, play an instrument! He was cool playing the guitar, but did he have to have a shirtless rock band? Disney would disapprove that, but not Chippendale's (LOL).

I suspect it will be straight to DVD. And for good reason. It's choppy and the story line is empty. Why is there a problem with Lester and the young women in his lives? Nobody really knows. It's suddenly an issue. Why is it that Dad begins dating and suddenly stops? What really prompted the change? It would have made a good Disney channel series. Fluffy, not requiring any intelligence or thought. I wouldn't be surprised to see it on the fall lineup.

The acting wasn't bad in the least. But the script was full of holes and not much character development. Every one of them was flat on both sides. The actors did a fine job and it was delightful seeing Penny Marshall on the big screen again. She reminded me of my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Hustavet, in one segment. Creepy.

Sandy Tung undoubtedly did the best he could. (He's cute, in that middle aged, slightly rumpled way so many women find attractive.) I just don't think there was much substance with which to work.

My daughters used to watch "Alice Upside Down" all of the time, which means so did I. I watched it again last night for the first time in years. It's a solid little family movie. The cast is very likeable, especially Penny Marshall. Marshall gives a very nice performance. "Alice Upside Down" is a satisfying watch.

Alice McKinley (Alyson Stoner) has to move with her family, dad Ben (Luke Perry) and brother Lester (Lucas Grabeel), to a new town. Her mom's dead since she was 5. She is awkward and have imaginary fantasies. She gets put in with the stern Mrs. Plotkin (Penny Marshall) but she wants so much to be with the happy pretty Miss Cole. Elizabeth (Parker McKenna Posey) is the neighbor girl. Pamela (Bridgit Mendler) is the mean girl.

The fantasies look weak and way too cutesy basically pinker with spotlights. Alyson Stoner is reasonably interesting as the gawky teen and she shows some acting range. It's not a bad kids movie but it's not particularly great either. Penny Marshall plays an interesting character. The mother's death provides some depth to the movie and there are some serious issues being dealt with here. It's OK for the genre but it does need better directions.

I remember the dvd cover of this film same as the offical poster for the film. I liked it as a kid but now as an adult not so much as i cringe when i see the "fantasy" scenes where alice wishes her life would be. Penny marshall is still believable as a tough teacher. She is honestly carrying the film. Alyson Stoner well Im biased because I did have a crush on her as a child. I remember coming home from third grade and playing LPSO with my sister and we would watch this movie mutiple times along with alvin and the chipmunks, my girl and a polly pocket film we picked up at a local store named Cardenas. Also I hate that the sub plot is the rock band brother in the garage Its so cliché.