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The
days of that lovable Michael Jackson voiced mouse are long gong, these
days, the Disney empire thrives on the Tweens. With everything from TV
Series (like That's So Raven) to movies (High School Musical) - the folk at Disney Corp have a strangle hold on the industry like no other.
Jump In! is yet another edition to that stranglehold. The "spin-off" of the phenomenally successful High School Musical,
which was a perfect marketing blend of tween-inspired fun (and a just
as appealing and profitable CD soundtrack), became the new Disney
Channel champion when it premiered to a record audience of 8.2 Million
viewers (out-doing the equally successful The Cheetah Girls 2).
Now,
let's get this straight right off the bat. This is the exactly the type
of flick I would prefer to cut my own genitals off than watch. At the
same time, it's the same flick which my little sister - and pretty much
anyone else from the age of 19 downwards - will absolutely adore. And for what it is, Jump In! is superb.
The flick stars Corbin Bleu (the actor, not the delightfully hammy/garlic chicken dish) from High School Musical
(on of the cleverest pieces of cross-over casting in Tween Movie
history) as young boxer, Izzy Daniels. Izzy trains overtime in order to
follow in his father's footsteps by winning the coveted "Golden Glove".
However when friend, Mary (Keke Palmer), asks him to substitute for a
team member in a Double Dutch tournament, the Izzy discovers a hidden
passion for jumping rope.
From here, it's your classic
Underdog-Wins-Competition tale that we've all seen a billion times
before. But, for whatever reason, they always seem to be able to latch
onto audiences (just look at the Mighty Ducks trilogy).
The performances are, well, fitting of anything from this genre (take a look at any Saturday morning show - Degrassi: The Next Generation, Raven, etc, etc). The plotting is nothing new, and the songs are about as bubblegum as Hubba Bubba.
But it's the exact thing the tweens love - and they will adore Jump In! EXTRAS
Just like the folks behind the Harry Potter DVD's know, if you do the Special Features right on a kids DVD - you will win over your fans. And the Jump In: Freestyle Edition does a pretty schmick job.
Included
are several featurettes including "Learn The Moves - Corbin Bleu
Teaches You How To Double-Dutch" (a must watch for any potential tween
"jumper"), a couple of product placed DVD-Exclusive Music Video's from
the Jump In! soundtrack as well as Interviews With The Cast And Crew.
Will keep the kids entertained until the next Disney flick is released.
Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: 55%
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