Hannah Montana: The Movie

Theatrical Release: 4/10/2009
Video Release: 8/18/2009

Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter
Source: Theater
Writer: Daniel Berendsen and Michael Poryes
Producer: Billy Ray Cyrus
Director: Peter Chelsom
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 102 min.
MPAA Rating: G
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles

Synopsis:
Walt Disney Pictures takes the Disney Channel phenom to the big screen in a feature film extravaganza. Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) struggles to juggle school, friends and her secret pop-star persona; when Hannah Montana's soaring popularity threatens to take over her life-she just might let it. So her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) takes the teen home to Crowley Corners, Tenn., for a dose of reality, kicking off an adventure filled with the kind of fun, laughter and romance even Hannah Montana couldn't imagine.

Dove Worldview:
There were lots of little girls at the screening of this movie I attended. They were obviously big "Hannah Montana" fans. They laughed during the film and cheered at the end so for them it was a success. It works pretty well as a family film. The story revolves around young Miley (Miley Cyrus) wanting to do more and more as Hannah Montana, and her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) concerned that she is losing touch of Miley. He sweeps her away to Tennessee to a family get together, which she strongly objects to, at first.

Soon she meets a young man named Travis and they form a friendship and when she sees a big-time developer who has plans to turn some of the beautiful land into a shopping mall, she does what she can to keep it from happening. Miley doesn't act perfectly the entire time. For instance, in one case her dad attempts to reach her on the cell phone and she says he reached the wrong number and she hangs up on him. But for the most part, especially at the end when she sings a new song for him, they have a close relationship. Miley's attempts at figuring out just who she is will resonate with a lot of her young fans.

This film features themes of loyalty, of standing up for what one believes is right, and the importance of being honest. We gladly award the movie our Dove "Family-Approved" Seal.

Content Chart & Description

Rating Descriptions

Sex: A man and woman kiss as does a teen girl and her boyfriend.
Language: OMG-3; Danged-1; Geez-1
Violence: There is a runaway golf cart with a character on it but she doesn't get hurt; a girl is hit in the head with a volleyball but is unharmed; a high heel shoe is thrown and sticks to the wall by its heel; a fight over shoes; a woman throws a girl in store; an exploding cake; an alligator is seen but doesn't harm anyone.
Drugs: None
Nudity: Cleavage; girls and boys wear modest swim wear; shirtless young man; a short skirt is briefly seen; a man's boxers are briefly seen.
Other: A journalist slips into Hannah's dressing room to take pictures; a man leaves a video camera in Hannah's room; a dad calls daughter and she answers and says it is the wrong number; hot sauce is mixed with the mild sauce so a certain character will taste the hot.

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