Featurettes, music videos, theatrical trailer, outtakes, DVD with the movie

Stories where a character has a secret identity have been around for years but usually they’re a superhero or a secret agent. I suppose being a music star today is a bit like being a secret agent; you have security, you have one identity you present to the public and quite another that you present to your friends and family. If only there was a story involving secret agents in “Hannah Montana: The Movie” we might actually have a film worth watching. ***

Long time fans of the show are aware that Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) has an alter ego that IS a music star but she wants a normal life which is why she has this secret identity going on. When Miley goes on an ego trip because of the success of fame she ends up ruining her best friend Lily’s (Emily Osment) birthday 16th birthday party. Dad (Billy Ray Cyrus) sees a disaster in the making so sends Miley down to the farm quite literally go get away from the toxicity of her fame. While there Miley finds romance, enjoys bonding with Nanna (Margo Martindale) and escapes the pressure of fame. ***

The problems with “Hannah Montana: The Movie” are so numerous it would take a book to detail them all. The main problem though is that the film is boring. It plays like a bad Disney TV movie inflated for the big screen. The direction could add tension and drama to the film but remains slack throughout as if the director was asleep during the shooting and post production. ---

Image & Sound: The film has the warm colors one would expect from a family drama set in the rural countryside. Colors pop and detail looks terrific throughout. *** Audio sounds quite good particularly during the concert footage where the 7.1 DTS-HD soundtrack comes to life ---

Director Peter Chelsom provide us with a feature length audio commentary where he’s awake. Perhaps he has narcolepsy that would certainly explain why he’s so spry here but not when he directed the film. ***

Featurettes include “Find Your Way Back Home” where Cyrus gives us a personal tour of her home town. ***

“I Should Have Gone to Film School-with Jason Earles”-The actor interviews folks on the set and crew to give us a better understanding of making a movie. I’d suggest that Chelsom might have wanted to stay awake when he was in film school the movie would probably be better. ***

“The Hoedown Throwdown Sequence” focuses on the creation this sequence. Lucky you they’ll also teach you how to do some of the dance moves. If you do this at home with your kids have Advil handy. ***

Deleted scenes and some amusing outtakes round out the extras along with music videos and the theatrical trailer. ***

The second disc is the movie on DVD so you can watch it in the car, on the run or, if you prefer, run over it.

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