Hannah Montana: The Movie (G, 2009)

common sense media says

Hannah's music and Miley's romance are sure to wow tweens.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Miley Cyrus' legions of tween fans will be dying to see this big-screen comedy based on Disney's hit TV show. Like the small-screen version, the movie is upbeat and perfectly G rated ... if yet another marketing tool in Hannah's merchandise-rich world. The sexuality is completely innocent -- flirting, slow dancing, conversations about relationships, and three really short kisses -- and there's no language, drinking, or smoking. Expect frequent physical comedy (pratfalls, getting hit with a ball, bitten by an animal, etc.) and one scene in which Hannah and Tyra Banks fight over a pair of shoes.

Educational value: The movie is intended to entertain rather than educate.

Positive messages: Kids will take away positive messages about being sincere and not taking yourself too seriously, as Miley learns that it doesn't matter whether she's a star or not -- she's not allowed to forget her roots and act like a diva.

Positive role models: Characters have strong family relationships and friendships. Miley does
disappoint those closest to her as she struggles to balance her double
life, but it all works out in the end.

Violence & scariness: Hannah and Tyra Banks get into a cat fight (lots of jumping, pushing, and grabbing) over a pair of designer shoes. Other physical comedy includes several pratfalls, Miley getting hit in the face by a ball, a pesky ferret crawling all over a couple of characters, and a bit with a biting alligator and snappy ostrich.

Sexy stuff: Mild flirting as two sets of couples get to know each other. Other than three very quick kisses and some slow dancing, there's just a short glimpse of Miley's love interest with his shirt off after a swim.

Language: A couple of "oh my God"s; one adult uses an insult to another (he calls a woman a "succubus"), but it will go over kids' head.

Consumerism: The entire film is a Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana vehicle that will help promote the TV show, the movie soundtrack, and the piles of Hannah merchandise out there.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the movie's messages. What does Miley/Hannah learn about family and herself? Do you think she's a good role model? Why or why not? Does your answer change depending on whether she's being Hannah or Miley?
Why do you think Hannah is so popular? Do kids really love the show for itself, or are they caught up in the Miley/Hannah phenomenon and marketing messages? Do you think Cyrus will be as successful once she steps out from under her Hannah wig?

What's the story?

Anyone familiar with the hugely popular Disney show will instantly understand HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE. Miley Cyrus stars as Miley Stewart, a "regular" teenager who also happens to be world-famous pop sensation Hannah Montana. Without the platinum-blond wig and designer outfits, Hannah is "just Miley," but when her publicist, Vita (Vanessa Williams), starts offering Hannah more opportunities, Miley forgets her priorities. After Miley ruins her best friend Lilly's (Emily Osment) sweet 16 and misses her chance to say goodbye to her college-bound brother Jackson (Jason Earles), disappointed dad Robby Ray (Billy Ray Cyrus) drags her back to Crowley Meadows, the tiny Tennessee town they used to call home. While staying in her grandma Ruby's (Margo Martindale) farmhouse, Miley rediscovers Travis (Lucas Till), an old friend who's grown up into an adorable farmhand. All of a sudden small-town life starts to have considerable charms for Miley ... but Hannah eventually resurfaces and threatens the newfound country tranquility.

Is it any good?

Thanks to a cast of veteran supporting actors like Williams, Martindale, and Melora Hardin (The Office) as Robby Ray's potential love interest, Lorelai, the Cyruses and their TV crew are in good company on the big screen. The heart of the story is Miley reattaching to her roots, growing closer to her grandma, falling for Travis, and realizing how much her father has sacrificed (including romance) to keep her double identity a secret. There's not much of Oliver (Mitchel Musso) and Rico (Moises Arias), but hard-core Hannah fans shouldn't fret, because the movie has plenty of gags -- and chances for Cyrus to rock out as her alter ego.

Speaking of the soundtrack, it's surprisingly well connected to the story and enhances -- rather than distracts from -- the plot. It not only includes catchy Hannah and Miley songs (the show-stopping single "The Climb" and the tribute to her father, "Buttefly Fly Away," are particularly sweet) but also contributions from the elder Cyrus, Rascal Flatts (the beautiful "Bless the Broken Road"), and Miley's close friend Taylor Swift ("Crazier"). With a CD's worth of new songs, a cast full of likable characters, and a puppy-love romance at its core, Hannah Montana: The Movie should leave tween fans feeling like they've gotten the best of, well, both worlds.

Movie themes & details

Themes

music and sing-along

Movie Details

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Peter Chelsom
Cast: Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Miley Cyrus
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: April 10, 2009
DVD release: August 18, 2009
MPAA Rating: G

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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

rebma97
teen, 14 years old

Fun for Hannah Montana fans

This movie is okay. You barley see Lily or Oliver in this one, or Jackson. And Rico is only at Lily's birthday party. I think it could of been better if they focused on the other main charcters like the series did. Also, Miley acted like a brat at the beginning of the film, which was weird because she usually wasn't that mean on the show

Movie Details

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Genre

Hannah Montana: The Movie (G, 2009)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Hannah Montana: The Movie

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Themes

Movie Details

Watch our review

Review It

Review Hannah Montana: The Movie

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Fun for Hannah Montana fans

Good show!

Good for any kid

good for hannah montana

it is ok

great for children and even adults !

perfect 4 the whole family!

Cute

Totally Fine

A GREAT MOVIE FOR GIRLS

Luvv It

Fabulous in every way for the whole family

Loves this movie!

Best Movie ever

Don't expect a lot, the same as the TV show.

Hannah Montana. . . The Movie!

Hannah Fans Will Go Wild!

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