User reviews

I watched this movie last night with my sisters and was somewhat disappointed with it. The plot itself wasn't too shabby, but I don't think that Disney did as good of a job with it as they could have. The acting was mediocre. Of course, the script may have been mostly at fault moreso than the actors themselves. The script called for the characters to be way overdone, i.e. the nerds were unrealistically nerdy and the jocks were super jerks. And the little sister of Virgil(Jason Dolley) was an absolute brat, where were the parents? I did find this movie to be fairly predictable, especially since the previews leading up to it kind of gave away a good portion of the plot. In fact, previews in general tend to do that. Why, I do not know. Now, I know I've basically bashed the movie, but it wasn't a complete waste of my time. It's a fun movie for kids, to point out a positive. At least that's one thing you can always count on with DCOMs, is that they're decent and family friendly. Despite my criticism, I will probably find myself watching it again when it comes on. So, if you get the chance, check it out for yourself!

Disney juvenile star Jason Dolley gets a chance to set things right so to speak in high school life in the new Disney television film, Minutemen. He and another young man get hung out to dry on the horns of a ram statue which is their high school mascot. After that it's nerd city for him and young Luke Benward.

But you don't mess with a young genius and Benward with the help of some purloined downloaded files from NASA invents a time machine. They get another assistant in 6'4" Nicholas Braun who because of his height is also something of a high school misfit. And then with the best of intentions they go back in time and start righting a few wrongs as they see them. Life for them becomes one big do-over. Naturally as things work out some really unforeseen consequences occur.

It's a Disney product so the cast has that fresh scrubbed look, but the film is charmingly done and the performances are easy to take. I must make note of two other people in the cast. Young Steven R. McQueen is the grandson of the famous movie legend who if he were still with us would be 78. He plays the jock rival for Chelsea Staub who Dolley is crushing out on. You look hard and you can see some resemblance to Steve McQueen, but his character here is hardly the rebel persona of say, Nevada Smith.

One other cast member, J.P. Manoux took his character of the snoopy, supercilious vice principal from that Disney television series, Phil of the Future, and brought it over intact for this film. He's a pretty funny guy, Manoux, he's the best reason for adults to watch Minuteman.

By the way the title is something that Dolley, Braun, and Benward dream up to call themselves. They outfit themselves in white snow gear like they were going on a secret military operation in the polar region.

Well you didn't think it meant anything else? After all this is a Disney production.

the movie was good it had its funny, nice, and cute moments. But it was not what I expected, the movie didn't have a good concept. It its still cute and shows how hard high school is when your not "popular". It also show how when you start high school your old friends may not even hangout with you anymore, or how one thing may change your life for ever. also when you have a crush just go forth and say it don't be afraid to say it just because you never talk to that person, or because there out of your clique. The movie has a nice story to it but like I said be for the whole 'time travel' concept wasn't that big of a point in the movie. As the whole high school and Cushing concept and trying to fit in. But still the movie was pretty good. You should defiantly consider watching it. You'll probably like it.!

OK, first of all, I think all DCOMs are worth giving a chance. Except for the High School Musical movies, those actually sucked. To me, a lot of DCOMs have a level of maturity and/or seriousness in them. This is why they appeal to me so much, and I'm a 21-year-old guy. Anyway, Minutemen is about three teenagers who build a time machine together, and decide to use it to save their classmates from embarrassing moments. Yeah, I know that may sound corny to older audiences, but the boys will soon learn that even their heroic actions could lead to disastrous consequences. Jason Dolley, who played the lead character Virgil, was pretty good for his first starring DCOM role. I liked the possible messages that the movie tries to deliver, like everything happens for a reason. Or maybe the most worst moment in your life turns out to be the best thing to ever happen to you. In my opinion, DCOMs manage to get themes like this across without seeming corny at all. In conclusion, another excellent DCOM, great for all ages.

I have never really been much fan of any Disneys movies at all. Not even the classic cartoons like Bambi, Cinderella, The Jungle Book and so on... And well the recent live action movies on Disney is more like I watch if I don't have better things to do. I can get quite a tricky person to impress with Disney movies - and now I'm talking about the TV-movies, mostly not those who makes it to the big screen (like POTC). Anywho although movies like Wendy Wu and those other movies I have now forgotten the name on... shame on me... I actually enjoyed Minutemen.

It's not going to my favorite list of movies of all time, but of Disney I'd say its on the top without much problem. The acting is mostly good and for once I felt that most of the characters got a little more "fleshed out". Meaning a little more depth. And I have to agree with some comments I have read, its good that the whole meaning of the movie is forced upon you. The friendship is sweet, characters are charming, the little sister is an annoying brat and the lines are funny.

Deffently worth to check out.

The main characters in the cast were totally adorable, but it was kind of annoying when typical Disney made all the adults into stupid nut-cases who treat kids terribly. The plot was also fairly good, kids going back in time to save the geeks from embarrassment, but I think they got a little carried away towards the end with the black whole. When Charlie (the younger super-genius friend) ran into the FBI and suddenly exclaimed "four hours until the end of the world" I couldn't help but laugh, as it was just far too over-the-top. Overall the point of the movie was pretty cute though, accepting your past, learning popularity isn't everything, and loving your friends for who they are.

I mean its one thing to be following disneys instructions and regulations on the film and another thing to just make a terrible film. You had a disney channel budget, but yet a monkey with a nokia cellphone could do a better job then you. 0 zeros if i could. Oh the thing is say its too short of a review so let me contine. The adults on set need to be put in jail for letting these kids act like this.

The script sounds like something an AI machine would make. And the cringe is real.

How terrible to have this stain on your career. Its easy for me to be a critic, but it would have been easier to make a better film. Thats how bad your film was. So yea suk it.

This one is clever and funny and very well acted. The stories of time travel and and nerds becoming heroes have been done before, but seldom this well. The dialogue is fast-paced and funny, and unlike other teen comedies, is not totally dependent upon pop-culture references for its humor. The teen stars look like real high school students, and are not meant to look model perfect like in "High School Musical" or the "Cheetah Girls". (Okay, Chelsea Staub is the exception, but she's still perfect in her role). Like in real life, the good guys and the bad guys are not 100% good or evil, but are products of their decisions.

But more than anything, this is a very entertaining and fun, smart movie. If Disney had tweaked the special effects just a little, it could have been released in theatres, and I'd bet it would be a box office hit. Who knows? They are making a theatrical sequel to "High School Musical", why not "Minutemen"? I'd pay to see it. Well done.

Disney always knew how to make a movie for all ages. Just remember legendary small WW car Herbie...This movie is about three youngsters in high-school which will become friends, and have a lot of troubles when they invent or better said "lend" time traveling equations from NASA. Apparently they build time traveling machine from microwave oven, projector and many other parts. As time passes they decide to use machine for helping people in school, which at first seems to go very good. But the most brightest student of all, finally understands they have created a black whole which will expand and destroy all town, and after that whole Earth. Physics in the movie is something awkward, but have in mind this is a movie just for entertainment.

All in all, this is a killer time movie worthing watching, if you have time to spare. It's funny, childish, but I do not see this as a problem, because we are all children, no matter how old we are.

I'm not a big fan of Disney Channel Original Movies (apart from the High School Musical films), so I was pleasantly surprised by Minutemen. I've only seen it twice so far, but it's become one of my favourite movies ever and definitely my favourite movie of 2008. The only reason it doesn't get a 10/10 is because it has that Disney Channel feel to it - and that's not a good thing in my opinion. But still, I can't wait to get the eventual DVD. I'll be there first day of sales! I don't know why some people don't like this movie, I mean, it's got a great young cast, a good story, good effects (for Disney Channel), so why the hate? Give this movie a chance. I'm sure you'll love it. I did.

Virgil Fox (Jason Dolley) is a senior at Summerton High School. Throughout his high school career, he's had a reputation as a goofball, while his childhood friends, Derek (Teven R. McQueen) and Stephanie (Chelsea Staub), have become increasingly popular. This situation changes when Virgil approaches Charlie (Luke Benward), a child prodigy who invented a time machine. Together with Zeke (Nicholas Braun), they devise a plan that allows them to go back 48 hours in time, enough to correct injustices and mistakes made by other students at the school and by themselves. To maintain the anonymity of the undertaking, they began to use the code name of Minutemen.

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Very cute, that film about high school in the vision and version of the excluded nerds, with the right to a lot of bullying and prejudice, but their friendship is cute and the film is very friendly, with the right to time travel and a little bit of the butterfly effect. .. Cool little...

If you loved Sky High(2005), High School Musical(2006), High School Musical 2(2007), and Wendy Wu:Homecoming Warrior(2006), then this movie is right down that ally, a good blend of sci-fi and comedy. The three main stars in this film seem to do well, and they play off each other enjoyable. It's about a teenage geek(played with a funny awkward charm by Jason Dolley) named Virgil Fox, and is friend boy genius Charlie Tuttle(Luke Benward) invents a time machine, they take outcast Zeke(Sky Highs, Nicholas Braun) along for the ride. They all decide to use the time machine to save teenagers from embarrassing moments, has they go back a day early to prevent it. And all of them use snow suit out fits to wear, and end up becoming time traveling superheros. Disney has done it again.

Why a "9" for a made-for-TV movie!? Because I try to grade movies based on what they are trying to accomplish. No, "Saving Private Ryan," this ain't, but it's not trying to be. Other parents may echo my frustation with how >incredibly< difficult it is to find a solid, watchable kids film. The "watchable" means that the writing is adequate and the actors aren't so weak that they're disruptive to adult viewers. The "kids film" means that there aren't scenes 1) that terrify little kids and/or kill off a parent (I'm lookin at you Nemo, Tarzan, Lion King, Cindarella, Frozen, on and on) or 2) have hard PG content. This movie provides a rare reminder that a movie can be solid even though it's not high budget or contains too much foul language or sex content for the under-tween kids.

If i could give it 11 stars I would. I just want to tske a minute to say how complex, moving, funny, and all around great this movie was. the emotional rollercoaster this movie took me on is one of the best rides ive been (and ive been to disney). i beg you to watch this cinematic master piece, your life and this world will be better for it.

David Weissman thinks up a story like no other and the 6/10 rating is an insult of horrid proportions. I have followed Luke Benward, Nicholas Braun, and Jason Dolley since the beginning of their beautiful careers and THIS their all time best work. Jason Dolley, recognized from such works as Hatching Pete and Good Luck Charlie, yet again brings an interpretation to his character Newt that no other actor on this earth could have done. The greatest movies are never given the recognition they deserve by the academy and now not even by the fans...unreal.