No new release movie review this week. I’ll make it up for next week though with 'Fast & Furious 7', but that doesn't mean there won’t be a review today, so let’s turn up the music and be proud that Disney has made a well-made, genuine television movie.

 

The film premiered on the Disney Channel back in 2011 and premiered to 5.7 million viewers, but has developed a fanbase since its premiere, and like many, the film was a huge surprise.

 

‘Lemonade Mouth’ is essentially a mix between ‘The Breakfast Club’ meets ‘Bandslam’, as the film follows five outcast teenagers, stuck in detention, who form apart as a band called Lemonade Mouth. While you may think the story sounds very simple from my summary of the film, there are layers of themes and messages present. Olivia is the quiet, isolated bookworm who has a great voice, but is frightened performing onstage. Wen has fears of his new father’s girlfriend replacing his mother. Stella is an outspoken, focused girl who is determined for making her voice be heard, going against her principal for standing up for what she believes in. Mo has difficulties blending her two backgrounds together, being born in India, living in America. Charlie also has difficulties, as he is living in his famous brother’s shadow of being a popular soccer player.

 

Along with the characters development, the acting is pretty good, with Bridgit Mendler (‘Good Luck Charlie’ fame), Adam Hicks (‘Zeke and Luther’), Hayley Kiyoko (‘Wizards of Waverly Place’) and Naomi Scott (‘Terra Nova’) being the stand-out performances, while Blake Michael and Christopher McDonald also having some good performances.

 

Some songs fall into the generic category, but there are some stand-outs that includes “Somebody”, “Turn Up the Music”, “She’s So Gone” and my personal favourite “More Than A Band”.

 

‘Lemonade Mouth’ can be cheesy at times, but its heart and messages of friendship, family, freedom of expression and chasing your dreams escalates this film beyond the typical Disney TV Movie standard, as the movie is fun, the songs are catchy, the characters are grounded and like I mentioned before, the film has heart and emotion with its themes and messages of friendship and family.

 

It’s just too bad the sequel was cancelled.

 

“Be Heard, Be Strong, Be Proud”.

 

Score: 8.5/10