Cadete Kelly

'Cadet Kelly' is just another one of those mediocre films churned about by Disney and there is nothing original in the story that makes it stands out above the rest other than this is probably one of the first times I actually felt sorry for one of Hilary Duff's characters. This film sees fourteen-year-old Kelly, a born-and-raised New Yorker, dragged away from her school, friends and the city she loves when her self-absorbed mother springs it on her that she's getting married and they will be moving. To make matters worse, Kelly's new step-father is the headmaster of a military academy that she is forced to attend. Of course, Kelly manages to fit in by becoming saviour of the school drill team and helping them find new routines.

This is a film about selfish adults who are only interested in themselves (Mum wants her perfect new life, Stepdad wants his job at the academy and Biological Dad can't be bothered standing up for his kid) and bland kids who are all clones in terms of their personalities. We have Kelly, as the stereotypical airheaded popular blonde, the awkward best friend, the boy who every girl fancies and the bully (who, in this film, belongs more in a Victorian boys' school given that she is basically a prefect who is allowed to do whatever she wants with her power with no teacher stepping in).

This film might have been more interesting where Kelly sent there as a punishment because there is no reflection at all in the film that things are hard enough for her without forcing her to attend a military school nor that there are surely buses in the area that could have taken her to a regular school. Instead, we're meant to cheer for Kelly fitting into her new school when all you want to see is some protest from her. This is the kind of film suited to shallow teenagers who like everything bland and simple but those who prefer school-based films with more thought and character would be better off watching something like such as 'Mean Girls' or 'Harriet the Spy'.

Hilary Duff (TV's "Lizzie Maguire") plays Kelly Collins, whose parents are divorced. When her mother meets the new love of her life, she discovers that she must attend military school. While there, she meets sardonic Jennifer Stone, (Christy Carlson Romano of "Even Stevens"), a drill team member. She doesn't fancy Kelly very much and always seems to be picking on her. Kelly crushes on Jennifer's boyfriend Bret, and a battle of wits ensues. Besides the fact that your kids will love it, the movie follows the same premise as the 1980 Goldie Hawn vehicle "Private Benjamin." I guess the performances are decent for a made-for-television movie. Let's just hope that there's no sequel...

Ha! I bet my one line summary above sounds a bit odd, right? Well, it's true. I know it's a family comedy and that they are supposed to be sappy and controlling, but that's not an excuse for making a dull movie like this.

Up-and-coming star Hilary Duff plays a young teenager named Kelly who is recruited to the military (guffaw) and is constantly yelled at by cadet Christy-Carlson Romano, of Disney's hit TV show "Even Stevens."

The one thing I have always hated about "Even Stevens" is Romano. She is very, very annoying. As an actress she amounts to the standards of...well...what she is: A Disney-employed actress with no talent.

Hilary Duff is a decent actress, and has gotten her big break from Disney; though I must say I'm NOT looking forward to "Agent Cody Banks."

All in all, this film is just boring, and (whaddaya know) emotionally controlling and manipulative. A must-miss.

2/5 stars -

John Ulmer

And it wasn't. Apparently a movie doesn't have to be the least bit of good to appeal to 13 year old girls. All it needs is Hillary Duff prancing about and wearing 'cool' outfits. You may as well just rent 'Private Benjamin' instead.

While I didn't expect too much from this movie despite the fact that I generally like Disney channel movies, I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

Not only was the acting very believable, but the plot was original and had a lot of heart. This movie made me smile, get teary-eyed, and think. I think what makes this movie rise above the average is that it reaches many different people on various levels. It challenges you to think outside the box, to not accept the conformity of society and set your own standards while crossing over the line. It teaches you the importance of family, even 'broken' ones, and letting new people in, to have faith in people, how its important to face your fears, and perhaps most importantly, to embrace your individuality and set new standards.

Most of the negative comments I read about this movie complain about two things: 1) Hilary and Christy's characters are more or less the same as their alter egos, Lizzie and Ren, and 2) It was unbelievable as far as the military aspect because of the discrepancies and the way Kelly spoke to her ranking officer (Jennifer Stone, Christy Romano). I disagree on both counts.

First, Kelly and Jennifer's characters couldn't *be* farther from Lizzie and Ren. Lizzie is a sweet, sensitive, albeit insecure and klutzy homebody, while Kelly is a fun-loving, adventure-seeking, rule-breaking girl with something to prove. Similarly, Ren is a nice, caring, intelligent, studious person while Jennifer is a mean, stuck-up military brat with a chip permanently lodged on her shoulder.

And secondly, while I can't really confirm nor deny the military discrepancies not having been in ROTC or any branch of the military, I can certainly refute the statement that Kelly was way out of line. The worst thing she did was paint Jennifer's hair, and she was court-martialed for *that*, so I don't really see that as getting away with it. And furthermore, while I don't condone acts of revenge, she *did* have it coming--sometimes, the only way you can reach a person is to go to their level, for while it brings you down a notch at the time, when you rise back up, not only will you be a notch higher, you'll have brought someone up with you.

VERDICT: A heart-warming movie with character, not just recommended for the family or kids, but for anyone with an open mind and/or open heart.

7.0 out of 10.0

~AleXa~