A different way of telling a story

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

I was pretty excited for this movie to come out, the plot sounded awesome and the Jonas Brothers are in it. I recognized Demi Lovato from As The Bell Rings and I really liked her. Before this came out I started being a huge fan of hers. A lot of people think this movies a HSM rip off, and sure it involves singing and a guy and a girl, but I think its a great movie for Disney. The plot was way different from HSM and they shouldn't be so closely compared because on a lot of levels they are different. Sure, I'm biased because I'm a fan of Demis and think she has an amazing voice, but the movie itself was good and deserves more credit! The whole message about being confident is also really great.

Disney wanted to cash on the success (on video anyway) of High School Musical, so instead of going with a spin-off, they went with creating another musical mash up for kids. Basically teenage Mitchie Torres (Demi Lovato) is a girl desperate for a great summer at a prestigious rock music camp, but she can only attend if she and her mother Connie (Maria Canals-Barrera) work in the kitchen as cooks. Also visiting the camp for a career revamp and to watch rising stars is Shane Gray (Joe Jonas), teen lead singer of the pop band Connect 3, with fellow members Jason (Kevin Jonas) and Nate (Nick Jonas). He overhears a girl, Mitchie obviously, singing a song with a great voice, and he is desperate to find this girl, and not realising he has been talking to her quite a lot. There is the point where the bitchy girl exposes Mitchie as being int he kitchen and lying about it, but everyone forgives her and she does eventually get to sing and love with Shane for the happy ending. Oh, and the last minute contestant of the Rock Camp is the winner. Also starring Meaghan Jette Martin as Tess Tyler, Alyson Stoner as Caitlyn Geller, Julie Brown as Dee La Duke, Daniel Fathers as Brown Cesario, Anna Maria Perez De Tagle as Ella and Jasmine Richards as Peggy. The songs are very cheesy (only one or two are nearly catchy I will admit), the young performers are too naive and predictable, and that is exactly how the film is as well, so while the kids will be entertained, I wasn't completely. Adequate!

I didn't exactly have the highest of expectations, which probably made the film slightly more bearable. The problem was that 15 minutes in I thought to myself that this could be alright. It seemed intelligent and fun at the same time, something that is difficult to get in a kids movie. How disappointed was I then, when it descended into clichéd nonsense, especially with the "I was just trying to fit in and be popular but at the end of the day I've found out who I really am" rubbish? It was just far too unoriginal, but if you're going to copy other plots from other films then you at least do a good job of it, this film really doesn't. The lead it to Miley Cyrus-esq, but just not as talented (as least that's the impression I got) and the girl opposite her playing the bad girl was too watered-down "Mean Girls". Young girls of about 7-12 might be interested, but otherwise stay clear. The whole thing is so High School Musical wanna-be, and just isn't

2006 was the mayor turning point for Disney with the new releases of "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical". While they amused the kids and tweens, they certainly despaired the rest of the world. And why not? They were just made for marketing campaign and for franchise. The High School Musical films (at least those I've seen) were quite mediocre. Hannah Montana the show, despite it's flaws, turned to be quite entertaining, but was unfortunately followed up by a disappointing movie. Logically there's no strange why the hatred for the new Disney Channel products has blossomed and why some of the public attacks them, considering that Disney currently no longer makes hand drawn-flicks (with the exception of "The Princess and the Frog") and instead just produces out teen stars with their own shows, movies, music and etc.Speaking for myself, I don't like either quite like that Disney produces stars in that way, but I shall confess that I've seen a few of the new Disney Channel movies, just of curiosity. When I first heard about "Camp Rock", my thought were immediately that Disney wanted to repeat it's success with a mediocre movie. But I was wrong; "Camp Rock" is one of the better Disney channel movie I've seen.Of course this movie isn't a masterpiece, but it's surprisingly decent, entertaining and even better than the High School Musical flicks and the Hannah Montana Movie."Camp Rock" is starring the Disney teen star Demi Lovato, who is promoted in almost the same way as Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. Demi is likable enough and delivers a decent performance here, but she does have a lot of progression to distinguish herself from both Selena and Miley. This doesn't necessarily means that Demi is a bad actress, hopefully if she chooses the right parts, she can become really good. But vocally she is a step in front of her competitors. She doesn't have a distinctive voice, but a beautiful one, who sounds stunning when she hits the right notes. She's also shows energy and dynamic in her "This Is Me" performance at the end of the film.The rest of the cast does a decent job without being memorable. Those who distinguish themselves are Alyson Stoner as the likable Caitlyn Geller and Meaghan Jette Martin as Tess Tyler. Also Joe Jonas is very credible as the selfish and unlikeable (at least the beginning) Shane Gray. His two other brothers are charming, but far from the best actors this world has to offer. Otherwise it's easy to notice that the same Disney stars from the TV shows is used in the movies. Even Anna Maria Perez de Tagle plays a dumb character in flick similar to the character of Ashley as she plays in "Hannah Montana".Otherwise, there isn't so much to say about "Camp Rock". It's a typical teen flick; a insecure girl as the protagonist, new friends to make, falling in love and etc. Oh, one thing I want to mention; If you've asked me who Demi Lovato or Joe Jonas was for a year ago, I wouldn't have a clue. And the ironically about the Disney Channel flicks is that their movies are mediocre, but their songs are very catchy and likable - and "Camp Rock" is no exception. There are many good songs here, which are better than both the latest "Hannah" and "High School" songs.The only bad thing about this film is that is was released a year ago. This is one of Disney Channel's better movies and if it was released today, it would have made up to Disney's other mistakes like the "Hannah Montana Movie", "High School Musical" and even "Hatching Pete" and "Dadnapped". Otherwise, don't expect a masterpiece while you're seeing this film, just expect this to be a harmless and decent teen flick and then you'll be pleased.