I find the vast majority of the movies produced for the preteen crowd to be unbearably bad - most I can never make it to the end of - but this one is watchable enough that I've seen it more than once. It's not a masterpiece, but in its genre, it's definitely one of the better ones.
The cast is cute and age-appropriate for their roles, and the goofier sidekicks are fun. The actors fit their roles, and even though some of the characters are over-the-top in a way you'll only find in kids' movies, even the cheerleader and popular-girl/guy types have more to them.
Based on a book series, the movie has heaps of American teen themes, but things are messier and more complicated than in most of these shows. There are the stereotypes, sure, but friendships grow and change - and sometimes end. I liked the realistic aspect that some things just aren't meant to last as you grow up. I remember well that was the age when everything changed for everyone I knew.
The ending was great. Things don't have to work out the way you want them to. Sometimes better things happen.
The cast is cute and age-appropriate for their roles, and the goofier sidekicks are fun. The actors fit their roles, and even though some of the characters are over-the-top in a way you'll only find in kids' movies, even the cheerleader and popular-girl/guy types have more to them.
Based on a book series, the movie has heaps of American teen themes, but things are messier and more complicated than in most of these shows. There are the stereotypes, sure, but friendships grow and change - and sometimes end. I liked the realistic aspect that some things just aren't meant to last as you grow up. I remember well that was the age when everything changed for everyone I knew.
The ending was great. Things don't have to work out the way you want them to. Sometimes better things happen.