HANNAH MONTANA, THE MOVIE – 2009
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment
Director: Peter Chelsom
Genre: Children & Family
Language: English

When the pop star fame of her secret alter ego, Hannah Montana, becomes too much to bear, Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) takes a break and journeys back to her Tennessee hometown of Crowley Corners for a much-needed break from the spotlight. But the pressures of celebrity life prove difficult to escape when Miley is pursued by a snoop who suspects the truth about her identity.

What a great movie for kids of all ages! I just loved this movie. The story of a teen juggling two lives: one as a rock star and one as a regular teenager – is as charming as Miley Cyrus herself. Hannah/Miley is a quiet girl in school who comes alive on the stage, where she is a great singer with tons of fans. Her publicist goes into overdrive, scheduling Hannah for appearances in New York when she is supposed to go to her grandma’s birthday celebration in Tennessee. Hannah/Miley struggles to live two such different lives. Her dad, played by her real life dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, hijacks her to Tennessee. There she gets in touch with her roots, her old friends and family. Miley realizes that she cannot deny who she really is.

The music is outstanding in Hannah Montana: The Movie. You will be dancing in your seat to hip hop and country. The messages are great, too. The countryside, horses and family feeling make this a warm and loving movie. Margo Martindale is excellent as the no-nonsense grandma who guides the motherless girl in the right direction.

The theater was packed with kids as young as five or six. Since the movie is short, the music is delightful and the comedy is visual, everyone can enjoy it. I am breaking my rule that young kids don’t belong in movie theaters to say that you can take a five-year-old (one who can sit for 99 minutes) to see Hannah Montana: The Movie with no problem. And you will enjoy this one, too. It’s a “don’t miss”!