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News / Columns / Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus: Hannah Montana Hits A Flat Note
Plus, Observe and Report cops some laughs, and Dragonball Evolution drops the ball.
by Tim Ryan | April 09, 2009
Discuss Article

This week at the movies, we've got a pop songbird (Hannah Montana: The Movie, starring Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus), a mall cop (Observe and Report, starring Seth Rogen and Anna Farris), and plenty of dragon balls (Dragonball: Evolution, starring Justin Chatwin and Chow Yun-Fat). What do the critics have to say?


44%
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Rotten

Hannah Montana: The Movie

Ok, let's get this out of the way upfront: if you fall within the target demographic of tween girls, you're unlikely to be swayed by what the critics have to say about Hannah Montana: The Movie. Still, the pundits say the film is unlikely to draw many converts -- or parents -- into Hannah Montanah's orbit. Miley Cyrus stars as the titular hero, who alternates between a life of pop-star celebrity and a down-to-earth existence in a small town. But will success spoil her? Will she forget her Tennessee roots? The pundits say the movie is inoffensive and good-natured, but painfully thin in the plotting department and fails to capitalize on its star's natural charisma and charm. It's also several notches below Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, which notched an impressive 70 percent on the Tomatometer. (Check out our interview with Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, in which he tells us about his five favorite movies.)


50%
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Rotten

Observe and Report

What is it about mall cops that screenwriters find so hilarious? Observe and Report follows on the heels of Paul Blart: Mall Cop, but happily, critics say this time out the fledgling formula is more successful. Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie, a rent-a-cop who takes mall security very seriously. However, when a flasher starts trouble, Ronnie is on the case, hoping it will be a springboard to the police academy -- and a relationship with a make-up saleswoman (Anna Farris). The pundits say Observe and Report is one of the weirdest -- and creepiest -- mainstream comedies in quite a while, an odd mix of sadness and hilarity that provides ample teeth-gritting chuckles. But some also note it's very dark and occasionally cruel.(Have a look at this week's Total Recall, in which we list Seth Rogen's Best Movies.)


13%
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Rotten

Dragonball: Evolution

For non-initiates, the Dragonball universe (detailed in graphic novels, video games, and a TV seires) can seem all but impenetrable. But critics say that's the least of its big-screen incarnation's problems; of greater concern is that Dragonball Evolution is simply dull and generic. Justin Chatwin stars as Goku, a young martial artist who seeks training from Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) after the evil Piccolo has slain his grandfather; Goku and Piccolo end up in a race to acquire the Dragon Balls, magical spheroids that grant wishes to their possessors. The pundits say Dragonball Evolution is a dull slog, with so-so special effects and little of the complex mythology that spawned such cult devotion to the books and the TV show.


Also opening this week in limited release:

  • Anvil! The Story of Anvil, a poignant and amusing documentary about a venerable Canadian metal band, is at 98 percent on the Tomatometer.
  • In a Dream, a doc about Philadelphia mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, is at 86 percent.
  • The Pope's Toilet, about a get-rich scheme devised for the Pope's visit to Uruguay, is at 86 percent.
  • An Unlikely Weapon, a documentary about legendary news photographer Eddie Adams and the photograph that changed his life, is at 80 percent.
  • Lymelife,a coming-of-age dramedy set in 1970s Long Island and starring Alec Baldwin, Emma Roberts, and Rory Culkin, is at 57 percent.
  • The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, based on Michael Chabon's cult novel and starring Sienna Miller and Peter Sarsgaard, is at 17 percent.

Related Items
Movie: Observe and Report
Dragonball: Evolution
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
In a Dream
The Pope's Toilet
An Unlikely Weapon
Lymelife
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
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Comments (1-20 of 46 posts) | Reply
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 05:44 PM

Definitely Observe and Report for me tomorrow, and I do get to go to a MOON screening tomorrow (YES!).

(Reply to this)
ARTaylor
ARTaylor writes:
on Apr 09 2009 05:47 PM

I might see Observe and Report. Looks funny and seems to have far more potential than Paul Blart.

As a die hard DB and DBZ fan I'll be staying far away from Dragonball. If they were going to so blatantly diverge from the source material it could have at least been like The Shining and been an otherwise decent movie. I would be severely disappointed if DB:E was #1.


(Reply to this)
ledawg1138
ledawg1138 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 06:11 PM

"Observe and Report". The quickest remake ever. Ha ha, I'll rent it.
I liked "Dragonball Z" as a little kid, haven't seen it in years though. I think I might rent the series. I'm not so sure about the film. And "Hannah Montana"...ouch. Just ouch.


(Reply to this)
HectorMoran91
HectorMoran91 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 06:15 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418175)
Hey Jokerboy how do you get to go to all this screenings?

Anyhow, none of these tomato ratings really make surprise me in anyway.


(Reply to this)
Tyrant
Tyrant writes:
on Apr 09 2009 06:24 PM

None of these ratings surprise me, thus far Seth Rogen has picked some good comedies, so I'm not shocked. DB:E I knew would suck from the trailer. HM just plain sucks, oh look i have a wig, nobody will recognize me!

(Reply to this)
GST
GST writes:
on Apr 09 2009 06:32 PM

Hmm... well, this was all extremely predictable, especially Dragoball; I liked the anime when I was younger, but the moment I heard it was going to become a live action film I knew it was going be completely horrible. I'd go see observe and report if I could, but I never have enough money to see movies when they come out... always rental, bah. As for Hannah Montana; well, was there anybody expecting it to be fresh? I hope not...

Oh, and RT, you should probably adjust the description of 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil', last time I checked it wasn't "a visually remarkable tale of unrequited love on a Kazakh steppe". That reminds me though, 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil' looks awesome.


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 06:55 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418219)
Because I'm press Mo Fo!

(Reply to this)
MizzleBrizzle
MizzleBrizzle writes:
on Apr 09 2009 06:57 PM

I'm going to see Observe and Report tomorrow.

(Reply to this)
ledawg1138
ledawg1138 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 07:14 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418230)
WAIT! Hannah Montana is just a girl in a wig?! OH MY GOD! Now I MUST see it!

(Reply to this)
Tyrant
Tyrant writes:
on Apr 09 2009 07:24 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418302)
YEAH I KNOW RIGHT? IT'S SO COMPLICATED!

(Reply to this)
fullmetal_medji
fullmetal_medji writes:
on Apr 09 2009 07:47 PM

I'm going to see Dragonball tomorrow. oh wait that's Dragonball: Evolution. Maybe because my expectations are so low I might enjoy the film. Or it could be the exact opposite.

If Fox ever makes a YuYu Hakusho then I will punch Rupert Murdoch in the face.


(Reply to this)
fullmetal_medji
fullmetal_medji writes:
on Apr 09 2009 07:47 PM

I'm going to see Dragonball tomorrow. oh wait that's Dragonball: Evolution. Maybe because my expectations are so low I might enjoy the film. Or it could be the exact opposite.

If Fox ever makes a YuYu Hakusho movie then I will punch Rupert Murdoch in the face.


(Reply to this)
Tyrant
Tyrant writes:
on Apr 09 2009 08:42 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418361)
I'd punch him with you on that one.

(Reply to this)
tomwaitsjr
tomwaitsjr writes:
on Apr 09 2009 08:47 PM

"Anvil! The Story of Anvil, a visually remarkable tale of unrequited love on a Kazakh steppe, is at 92 percent. "

Er, nope. ANVIL! Somebody got something wrong there. This is a documentary about a metal band. . . I hope it explodes so I can see it in theaters. Looks great.


(Reply to this)
HectorMoran91
HectorMoran91 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 08:49 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418262)
Thanks MoFo

(Reply to this)
Mr. Bo Ziffer
Mr. Bo Ziffer writes:
on Apr 09 2009 09:21 PM

I'm one of the unfortunate ones who saw Paul Blart because my 8-year-old sister was dying to see it, and other than watching Kevin James eat a dirty lollipop off the floor, I can say I didn't laugh once. So to return the favor, I'm taking her to see Observe and Report to show her what a real comedy about a chubby mall security guard who wins the girl of his dreams by stopping a real catastrophe is supposed to be.
I used to like Dragonball Z when I was in fourth grade, and it helped me grow out of my unhealthy Pokemon obsession. It really is sad to see a great serial turned into a shoddy, PG-rated, Frankenstein of sucktitude (hopefully that word isn't TM'd . . . DIBS!!!)


(Reply to this)
Mr. Bo Ziffer
Mr. Bo Ziffer writes:
on Apr 09 2009 09:28 PM

For some reason, the store I work at has "The Spirit" out on DVD and Blu-Ray, and I don't think it's supposed to be out until next week. Against the Tomatometer and my own judgement, I bought it anyway. I thought to myself "It couldn't be that bad, could it?" Curiosity got the best of me. I got a friend that liked it, so if worse comes to worse I'll sell it to him for ten bucks more than I bought it for. You know, like a real friend. So, somebody, anybody, tell me . . . how f***ed am I?

(Reply to this)
tomwaitsjr
tomwaitsjr writes:
on Apr 09 2009 10:03 PM

Aside from taking your sister to "Observe and Report," I think you should read select sections of Stephen King's "IT" to her before sleepy time. . .

(Reply to this)
ledawg1138
ledawg1138 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 10:17 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418607)
LOL! I was about to say that.

But, Arthur G, taking little kids to see "Observe and Report" could be filed under...suckitude. THERE I SAID IT!


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Apr 09 2009 10:26 PM

In reply to this comment (#2418563)
The Spirit is quite bad, I cant wait to rent it to listen to the audio commentary. I just cant wait to hear what Frank Miller was thinking, and to see if its possible to actually talk about The Spirit for over an hour and a half (just sounds impossible!). I think with some heavy editing they could have made The Spirit fun, if they (A)- Made it tighter (B) Cut out Jaimi King, she is awesome, but a bad role (C) Explain Things- the cats & Nazi Costumers (D) Make it insanely violent and sexy- if they did all those things then they could make it fun.

(Reply to this)
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