Plot: What’s it about?
Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) has been through endless mishaps in junior high, but those days have come to an end. But not before she manages to make a scene at her graduation, which means her ditzy ways are sure to continue. The chance for a fresh start is obvious however, especially with the special class trip just around the corner. She and her friends will be headed off to Rome, where new experiences and adventures await. Lizzie and her best friend Gordo (Adam Lamberg) promise each other to make the most of the once in a lifetime experience, since they have a world of chances ahead of them. Once they arrive, Lizzie begins to settle in a little and soon makes a shocking discovery. The Italian pop diva Isabella (also played by Duff) is a dead ringer for Lizzie, if you make a couple of superficial alterations, that is. Isabella is one half of a popular duo, along with her male counterpart, Paolo (Yani Gellman). Of course, Lizzie soon bumps into Paolo and right off the bat, he sees the striking resemblance she bears to Isabella. Lizzie is then whisked on a special tour of Rome, given a makeover, and invited to replace Isabella in the dynamic pop team. The news soon reaches Lizzie’s parents, who also venture to Rome to find out what has happened. Will success spoil Lizzie McGuire, or will she show her true colors in the end?
Disney’s television show Lizzie McGuire has run its final episode, thanks to the smash success of The Lizzie McGuire Movie. More to the point, the instant stardom of the movie’s lead Hilary Duff has sparked the end of the show’s run. After all, poised to become a pop star and potential movie star, why would Duff want to stick with what made her famous? I watched the show from time to time and while it was humorous, I was never all that impressed. The trials & tribulations of school have been covered by countless other shows and with more insight, though Lizzie McGuire had a good blend of the outlandish and the realistic. But in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, most of the good elements found on the show have been cast to the side. Lizzie is still a klutz, but the sense of realism is gone right from the start, I mean what junior high class gets a trip to Europe? The backdrop offers the chance to focus on travelogue moments instead of plot movements however, which is probably why the exotic locations were chosen. All of the show’s stars return for this movie, including the stunning Duff, who shows immense screen presence at times. When all the chips are down however, only Duff’s perky presence keep this clunker above water. So unless you’re a diehard fan of the show, you can skip The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
Although the television show was a team effort, with several important supporting players, this movie is all about Hilary Duff. The other cast members are kicked to the side and given smaller, scaled down roles from the television show’s structure. This is The Lizzie McGuire Movie after all, so it serves as a showcase for Duff’s talents. The romance angle is never explored here, but Duff plays up her sexuality at times, especially in terms of costumes, some of which allow some skin to peek through. I know she’s only fifteen here, but in the modern world of entertainment, you have to go with what sells, so it shouldn’t shock anyone. Her good looks aside, Duff shows some good screen presence, but needs a few years of acting lessons and some better material. If she just wants to have a quick run as a movie star, then she could ride her beauty, but if she wants to last, she needs to refine her thespian skills. You can also see Duff in Human Nature, Cadet Kelly, The Soul Collector, and Agent Cody Banks. The cast also includes Robert Carradine (Revenge of the Nerds, The Long Riders), Adam Lamberg (Max Keeble’s Big Move, I’m Not Rappaport), and Alex Borstein (Coyote Ugly, Tv’s Mad Tv).
Video: How does it look?
The Lizzie McGuire Movie is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, with a full frame version also included on this disc. The treatment here is good, but I expected more from such a recent, well funded production. The print used is very clean, with no serious defects, but there is a tad more grain present than I would like. The nature of the film used causes some grain to be appear, but I expected a cleaner print in that respect. But this never proves to be a huge issue, though some softness is evident throughout. Not a worn kind of softness mind you, more of a dreamy haze, but still, I figured this would have a slick, refined visual presence. Even so, the contrast is smooth and colors have a bright, bold appearance. So not as pristine and slick as I expected, but this is still a more than solid visual presentation.
Audio: How does it sound?
This is a teen comedy and as with most movies from that genre, the audio isn’t all that memorable. The included Dolby Digital 5.1 option proves a solid, active experience however, so don’t expect the worst. The surrounds don’t pulse too often in this mix, but the musical soundtrack is well presented and adds a lot of life to the presentation. Not a whole lot of other surround presence, but a few scenes spark up the speakers a notch or two. The main focus is on low impact audio and dialogue, both of which sound excellent here. The vocals come through in crisp, clean fashion and no volume related errors surface in the least. This disc also includes English subtitles, should you need those at some point.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes three brief featurettes, Duff’s music video Why Not, and a selection of deleted scenes.
