An unexpected gem

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2003)

***Outstanding film of it's genre***
okay, that in itself may not be saying much, since it's genre, teen movies, are not exactly the breeding ground for trans-generation, gender-bridging classics.
the story is also nothing new. it doesn't break new ground in any way, there are no stunning revelations, it doesn't throw in any plot twists whatsoever.
however, i think that is what makes it an amazing movie. in spite of all those handicaps, Adam Shankman, who is well known for, well, absolutely nothing at all, has created a movie that will tug at your heartstrings, and affect you emotionally. that's all to it.
if there's one thing that wasn't good enough, it was the soundtrack, which lacks a defining tune. Forest Gump has it's defining tune, Titanic had "My Life Will Go On", Armageddon's "Dun Wanna Miss A Thing", i mean, heck, even a movie as mediocre as Crossroads had "I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman".
just a couple more things i'd like to add.
1. while it's understandable that 60% of females gave it a 10/10, but it's interesting that an amazing 30% of males felt the same way.
2. i dun normally rate films so highly. fluff like, say, Saving Silverman, routinely get stick from me. otoh, such praise is usually reserved for films like Shawshank Redemption, or Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain), or American Beauty, or Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) all gems in their own way.
i think that just about sums it up. as far as teen movies and idol vehicles go, it's just about the best there is. as a movie, it is a gem that shines brilliantly in it's own way.