Camp Rock

I decided to watch this when I was bored one night, being a 20 year old female college student I was obviously not the chief demographic, but I enjoyed High School Musical enough, so I thought I would give it a shot.

The only emotion this movie invoked was the urge to slap the blonde, who was wonderfully venomous and probably was my favorite character in the movie because she at least brought some reaction out of me. The music was incredibly average, also I was disappointed that Alyson Stoner didn't get to dance more, she's wonderful.

So at the end of the movie I was even more bored than when I started, annoyed by Demi Lovato's smile, and feeling let down. Obviously younger audiences will love the Jonas Brothers and the inspiring plot, but the terrible execution of an okay plot pretty much killed the movie for me.

Insert sadface here. This rockin' was supposed to be so much more than it lead on, but it really failed to deliver. I'm quite sad to say that Camp Rock may not be a failure to Jonas Brothers fans and teenage girls, though compared to other Disney Channel Movies, it just does not deliver.

The story starts off with Michie Torres, a girl that desperately wants to attend a Rock and Roll camp, and subplots Joe Jonas being throw back into his old stomping grounds before he became the hotshot that he is in Connect 3.

Right in, they establish the characters of Michie as the shy girl, and the rather rude Shane Gray. It seems that cliché character development only kicks in after a few scenes, for little to no reason at all. The work done by the actors was relatively decent, with a few small exceptions. However, having to deal with a horrible script like Camp Rock, is a task in it's on. The film tries to create conflict with an enemy that nobody really cares about, or has any ill feelings for. The mark of good character development is to love your enemy. Perhaps Meaghan Jette Martin had a scene or two that was cut that really showed us that she had such feelings for her family.

Camp Rock has all your normal stereotypical Disney children in it. Your hero(in), the hero's sidekick, other friends introduced for comedic value, the hero's enemy, and the enemies cronies. Disney does not fail to deliver an overdone plot of being ashamed of your family and how lying is bad. Blah blah blah... Girl lies, gets out casted, expresses remorse and sticks up for herself. Haven't seen this stuff in a Disney movie before! Nope, not me! Lastly, the music. Though it is somewhat strange that a rock star would be a hip hop teacher at a rock and roll camp, I found that it worked for the most part. Most of the songs are forgettable at best until the finale, as many musicals are. Though, these select songs make this movie re watchable and marketable for Disney. It will probably launch *a* career...

I'm quite sure it's got to be just a big Jonas Brothers promotional video. I'm sure the funds raked in for this film will also be astronomical much like its musical counterpart, High School Musical.

All in all, the story is boring and forgettable, but some of the songs you'll be singing to your self after seeing the film once or twice (or perhaps 20 or so, if you know Disney Channel). Watch this once, definitely, to see if it's your cup of tea. But it didn't quite do it for me the way HSM did it for the rest of the world.

Okay, DO NOT get me wrong. I love the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato to death but honestly, it feels like this film is missing something. I know this is supposed to be a Disney Movie and that it has been endlessly compared to High School Musical but I have to say that... High School Musical carries an element of magic that is missing from Camp Rock.

The songs are all catchy and entertaining and unlike the unpredictability of a musical, when the characters sings: It makes complete sense. The acting is mediocre, there were points where the actors delivered completely while in others, their ability comes into question.

The movie itself was relatively interesting and kept me vaguely hanging, even though there were times where I just got up and walked around (got food and refreshments). Shane Gray is a convincing jerk. Overall, you can see where the movie was headed from the moment it started. But it carries you through the movie and you believe that there is such a camp out there (which is something we all wish).

I NEVER said that the movie was bad, just predictable and half-hearted. But no matter what, THERE IS SOMETHING TO ENJOY.

Even though I was jealous of Demi Lovato when Joe Jonas sang to her lakeside. & I had to pause my DVR when he got out of the lake because well... look at him.

Watch the movie and you'll find something you'll like but don't come in expecting Oscar standards.

I basically consider it a guilty pleasure as with High School Musical and the rest of Disney Channel Original Movies, I grew up with it. These definitely would be dispensable if not for having some themes and good messages for kids, teens and even young adults in some occasions. Although most of these repeat themselves a bit, themes like be who you are no matter what society expects or its norms, don't lie to your friends, don't opt for the easy way out or don't make the more money-oriented-but-hated decision.

Personally I'm a sucker for breaking-the-norms feel-good movies like these. At times the dull and badly acted scenes might drag a bit but when they break into song or at the time of conveying the message it's loud and clear, and fun!

What saves this movie is definitely the music. And also I can't condemn it because it sort of has a place in my heart and my memories. Unfortunately and contrary to other childhood movie revisits I have recently done, it doesn't warm my heart as much as others have like Annie 1999 and High School Musical. I learned a lot with it when I was a kid and I recommend it for kids to watch, it's timeless.

I wasn't sure what Camp Rock would be like, as I heard a lot of bad things about it, and a lot of comparing to High School Musical. As I didn't care that much for the latter, I gave Camp Rock a shot, expecting it to be bad. Instead...it wasn't THAT bad. Yes, it was predictable and bland, but there were some enjoyable things about it.

Admittedly the story is very predictable, it is the sort of thing you have seen before and there is nothing special here. The script also has its weak spots and clichés, and some of the characters felt shallow.

However, the performances had a lot of spirit and enthusiasm about them, with Demi Lovato sweet and pretty in the title role especially. I thought the soundtrack was groovy and in general quite catchy, not my sort of thing really, but even after 15 minutes I can still remember the end song. The choreography is good, repetitive perhaps in one or two areas but not too bad. Also the ending has a touch of feel good about it.

Overall, nothing to rave about or anything special, but not as bad as I thought it would be. 6/10 Bethany Cox