Let It Shine

This movie is everything you would expect out of a made for TV Disney movie. Its hokey plot is nothing that hasn't been done before in many episodes of various sitcoms. It is the classic case of two friends where one friend helps another friend out by letting the other take credit of their work or talent. In "Let it Shine" Cyrus has all the talent of a would-be rap artist, whereas his best friend Kris doesn't have the talent, but has the perfect look. When Cyrus includes a photo of the both of them together with his submission to a songwriting competition under the pseudonym Truth, when he wins it's assumed Kris is Truth. Kris is so excited about the opportunity to work with Roxie, the promoter of the competition, Cyrus goes along with the mistake. The two concoct outlandish plans to keep up the charade. They tell Roxie Cyrus is his DJ so that Cyrus can be part of the journey and so that he is near Kris at all times. The plot is a little thicker with the fact the Roxy grew up with the two boys as part of Cyrus' father's church congregation, a man who opposes rap as a sinful form of music. More than anything this movie is about the soundtrack. This who enjoy hip-hop-that is teen hip-hop-will enjoy this movie more as large segments are devoted to the numbers. The soundtrack boasts it's own success peaking at #1 on Billboard's top rap albums and top kids albums. Other than that it's pretty formulaic of a "be yourself" and "don't be afraid to go for your dream" movie. It's like the "High School Musical" (2006) for hip-hop.

I liked how this movie was different by making all the main characters black. That was a good change considering how many Disney Channel shows and movies starred white characters.

However, other than that the plot was too predictable. When you watch the trailer and/or the first part of the film you'll immediately know how it ends. Because of that, I was barely able to watch the whole movie.

So this movie is a Disney movie. It has a lot of music, it has morals, and all that Disney stuff that they put in their movies. It was definitely not a movie like Frenemies from Disney, which was not at all very good. I haven't seen one of those "Disney Original Movies" that I was like, "Wow, I really enjoyed that," recently, like years ago with Cheetah Girls and High School Musical. I'm glad Disney finally got one REALLY right this time. It's the best Disney movie I've seen. There was not a dull moment or a moment that I wasn't entertained. I loved it a lot, and it's probably my favorite movie now... so entertaining! I loved the music, and I can't tell you how much I loved this movie. I don't know why it's rated so low. <3 IT!

I saw the previews and promos for this movie and what really pushed me to watch it was the hip-hop sound and the fact that Tyler James Williams was apart of it, seeing as I loved him on "Everybody Hates Chris", and I told 1 of my best friends to see it and he did, but I didn't see it until tonight, pretty funny huh? Anyway, I thought this movie was well done and I found it to be incredible in story(though it was slightly predictable), the music was really sophisticated(especially coming from Walt Disney Records), the dialogue wasn't cheesy in the slightest bit, and overall it was awesome to watch. This is only the 2nd Disney channel movie where the cast was African-American and I was alright with it mainly because I've seen mostly white people on their shows(I'm not being racist it's true)so I'm glad they changed it up for this movie. I didn't like how Cyrus' father was critical towards hip-hop/rap and claiming it was considered "devil music" and that it was going against God, but his apology and turn to accept it made up for it and there were times where "Lord of Da Bling" would just mess with Cyrus and I was wishing he would just fight back and call him out with a freestyle but he didn't and that was really disappointing for me. Also Kris and Cyrus' fight I thought would've ruined their friendship for good, but I'm glad it didn't. The soundtrack was incredible and the songwriters were really good, my personal favorite songs were "Don't Run Away", "Guardian Angel" and "Moment of Truth". I expected this movie to be just OK, but it was awesome and really cool, so I give it a 9 out of 10 and it's one of the more mature and less childish and cheesy DCOMs and for the most part it didn't feel like a Disney channel movie at all. It has its flaws, just as every movie does, but those flaws weren't big enough to prevent me from enjoying it, but I don't think it was quite as good as Lemonade Mouth. This movie gets a 9/10 from me and it was great, but it clearly doesn't have sequel potential, however, these stars could easily go on tour and perform songs from the movie. Keep it up Disney!!!!!!!

The plot follows 16-year-old Cyrus DeBarge (Tyler James Williams), a musician with a gift for creating rhymes but lacking the self-confidence to take the stage. After participating in a songwriting contest alongside his best friend Kris McDuffy (Trevor Jackson), Cyrus is named the winner. Due to her fear of the spotlight, Cyrus panics and allows Kris to take credit for her heartfelt lyrics, and while he is in anonymity, Roxie (Coco Jones), Cyrus' crush, begins to fall for Kris.

It started as a simple-minded, very musical rap battle, which was considerably boring, progressed to a teenage "change of characters", and gained more dramatic and critical contours as it went along... Ending with a scathing critique of traditional-conservative-religiousness. Extreme, message of vivacity or individuality, with its differences and freedom of choice, requests for forgiveness, reconciliation, all packed with lots of music, and rap battles... Gostoso...