An Exercise In Nonsense

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

The entire cast of the Lizzie McGuire Disney Channel television show got parts in this film one way or another as Lizzie's cast goes to Rome. But Lizzie got the adventure of a lifetime there romantically speaking. She gets wooed by Yani Gellman playing an Italian teen idol. The poor girl almost forgets her ideal teen hunk Clayton Snyder.Lizzie McGuire was one of the nicest of the Disney teen comedy shows in the history of the Disney Channel. Hilary Duff was an appealing and wholesome teen role model. And I did like the way that they used to break into those cartoon vignettes very Strange Interlude like when Lizzie wanted to tell us her inner feelings.Definitely a must for fans of the show.

I've missed Lizzie McGuire since ABC stopped showing reruns of her Disney Channel series on Saturday morning. Hannah Montana was a nice substitute, considering that with the wig she sort of resembles Lizzie, and the similarities don't end there, now that Hilary Duff is a singer too.Although I didn't graduate from junior high school, in this film Lizzie went through the whole cap-and-gown experience and, as is often the case for her, made it a disaster. Then she and some of her classmates went to Rome with the very demanding woman who would become their high school principal. While standing in line for gelato, Lizzie was seen by popular singer Paolo, as well as numerous fans of his singing partner Isabella. Soon Lizzie was mobbed by Isabella fans who though she was the singer. Lizzie began what would become something between a platonic friendship and a romantic relationship with Paolo, who eventually convinced her to take Isabella's place presenting at an awards show. Paolo claimed Isabella, who had disappeared, lost her voice. But tabloid journalists heard Lizzie talk, meaning Isabella could be sued for breach of contract. Lizzie's best friend Gordo (sadly, Miranda didn't make it to this movie) helped Lizzie in her scheme to deceive the evil principal and see Rome on her own with Paolo. Eventually Lizzie's roommate Kate agreed to help Lizzie, but you know there will be something in it for her.And how can bratty brother Matt annoy his sister from thousands of miles away? He'll find a way. Matt's new best friend can actually talk, and she's a girl named Melina.One complication: Paolo didn't tell Lizzie he also wanted her to perform. It would only involve lip-synching, but still ... can Lizzie pull it off?This is of course a Disney movie, but more importantly it is based on a cutesy Disney Channel series. So don't expect too much, but if you start with these facts, this is really pretty good. There is of course the gorgeous historic architecture of Rome. And some wild adventures including a chase scene. Hilary Duff is always good as Lizzie, with that great smile and perky attitude, with the feeling of being a loser always in the background. She's not quite as talented playing Isabella, but she has some good scenes in that role. I wasn't aware Hilary's sister Haylie did Isabella's singing, but both girls are talented singers, and Hilary is quite good on stage too.I mostly just hear Alex Borstein these days. In this movie, as the closest thing to a Disney villain, she overacts quite well and has the standout performance. But she's not a total monster. Miss Ungermeyer actually has a heart.Terra McLeod has a brief but effective role as a quirky fashion designer who helps make Lizzie look like she should.Adam Lamberg and Jake Thomas are very good in their roles from the show.Yani Gellman does a good job. For the past several weeks I have seen him as a totally different character on "90210", so he does have the capability to convince us he is someone unlike himself. I'm just not sure whether either of those characters is really him, since I've never seen him as himself. The scheming and silliness provide the most entertainment. The clueless hotel clerk is quite funny.Two good songs get played in this movie: "On an Evening in Roma" by Dean Martin as the kids arrive in Rome, and "Funiculi Funicula", as an instrumental. Too bad Martin couldn't have also done "Volare", but that great song was wrecked by sounding like all the other junk that passes for music among this film's intended audience. Too bad young girls can't be taught to appreciate real music rather than just being given more of the same, but at least an effort was made in that area. The background music was nice, however. Now having called the music junk, I will say that it was well done for what it was.Of course this movie is for the whole family. I don't think there was anything offensive here.I had fun.

If this is where entertainment is heading we as a society are in serious, serious trouble. I know she's just a kid and so are the rest of the cast for the most part but the acting is just terrible. The script is a total mess and a predictable joke. The soundtrack is also vapid, pointless drivel. This movie is just awful, awful, awful! However you look at it this movie has nothing good to offer. Even as schlocky entertainment it has no value at all. I don't have much else to say but I have to write more lines so I will just add that whoever wrote, produced and directed this must have something against all of us to unleash such a pointless waste of film on us.

High Quality "big screen" translation of a TV concept! Ed Decter, and his writing colleagues have done it again! Their seriously intelligent writing, packed with lots of funny, interesting dialog, has transformed a popular TV icon into a great family film with lots of positive messages, and no preachy delivery. Decter and Strauss remind me of the "old school" style of collaborative comedy writers, the kind that results in virtually virtually "no holes" in the plot, story or the viewers enjoyment. I don't know the Hollywood lingo, but the movie moves smoothly and has a tight, clean feel to its dialog. In many ways, The Lizzie McGuire Movie is even better work than their insanely successful "Something About Mary", as it relies more on character development and depth, with insights into the younger generation that are uncanny (and less on Farrelly Brothers style slapstick).Disney is lucky to have these guys working for them! Their work is in many ways the "un-Disney" Disney movie. No formulas, no saccharine, just a good, fun story with a positive message that is delivered with aplomb and style.Hillary Duff's work is, in my humble opinion, her best yet in this film, and the highly effective use of the classic "nerd/adult" Robert Carridine, again brings out the best in these sometimes under rated, and often pigeon holed actors.I am really looking forward to the next Santa Clause movie, as the first two simply blew me away with their quality of writing, production and acting.I hope to see more work like this from the Decter/Strauss team.