Alice Upside Down
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Movie Reviews of Alice Upside Down
Movie Review: Cute for kids, but a few moments inappropriate for young kids
Summary: 3 Stars
This had some cute moments, but there were a few times when I thought it wasn't age appropriate. It seems geared toward 6th graders. However, there were a few times when there were veiled references to sex (usually in relation to the older teenage brother or dad). Also, for most of the movie, Alice seems to be the exact opposite of a role model - sleeping during class, wanting to stay with the hot teacher, etc. Fortunately, the movie ends well. The relationship with Mrs. Plotkins was a nice twist - it's too seldom that teachers are portrayed as role models, especially older ones. I think for parents it's definitely worth watching this movie over once and making sure it's appropriate. It's probably fine for most kids, but there are some borderline situations.Movie Review: Alice Down Under
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Alice Down Under is a good flick for young teens (girls). Odds are the target adueince will enjoy it, and its good clean fun for the family.
This is something you can sit down and watch as a family and get some enjoyment out of it (though adults might find themselves slighlty bored at times).
Movie Review: A Nice Movie That Can Teach Children Some Lessons
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
A nice DVD for tweens that can teach them some lessons for life. Alice struggles with real life issues with the death of her Mother, and her Dad moving the family to another town and away from her friends. The acting is good and the plot can hold the viewer's interest. Worth watching.Movie Review: Watchable time-passer for pre-teens
Summary: 2 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
"Alice Upside Down" is not a bad kid's movie. It's just not a very good one. The story concerns a sixth grade girl, Alice, who's family has moved to a new city. It's just her, her father, and brother - the mother passed away several years ago. Alice is awkward and unstylish. She has a generally hard time fitting in at her new school. Throughout the movie, we watch Alice trying hard to make new friends and avoid embarrassing situations.
The movie was based on a book. I haven't read it, but I got the feeling that the filmmakers really didn't figure out what story they were telling. Books can pursue all sorts of plots and subplots, all while adding up to something complete. This movie is all over the map, plot-wise. It couldn't settle on just telling Alice's story - it also tried to tell her brother's story and her father's story. In fact, there didn't even seem to be much focus regarding Alice's story. Is this a movie about a girl trying to fit in with her peers? Is it a movie about a young girl coming to terms with not having a mother? Many avenues are explored, but there isn't enough skill in the writing to make it all satisfying in 90 minutes. Inner monologue is also suited to books. Having Alice directly address the camera in most scenes was distracting - and usually unnecessary as it rarely revealed anything we couldn't figure out for ourselves.
Alyson Stoner plays Alice. I remember seeing this girl years ago dancing in Missy Elliot videos. I'm not sure if dancing is still her forte, but they do manage to work it into the movie. Alice sets her sights on playing the lead in the school play. Despite having talented musicians in her family (her dad is a singer/songwriter and her brother has a rock band), Alice can't carry a tune. Unfortunately for her, the school play happens to be a musical. Even so, she manages to land a role that requires some dancing.
On the subject of Alyson Stoner, she is likeable and natural as Alice. Also convincing is Lucas Grabeel, as her smart-alec brother Lester. For the older siblings and/or parents who watch this movie - Luke Perry portrays the father. Penny 'Laverne' Marshall is nicely understated as Alice's teacher.
The synopsis on the DVD case makes it seem like Alice lives in a fantasy world of her own conjuring - with her various trials and tribulations alternating between reality and how she envisions them in her imagination. Another problem with the movie is that this concept is hardly explored. We see a handle of scenes play out as Alice would like them to - with her being more confident and popular. But it never contributes in any significant way to Alice's character. In a way, those imagined scenarios just seem like ways to fill extra running time.
All that said, the movie is inoffensive and very young viewers (like 12 and under) will likely enjoy it. The DVD features include short interviews with Stoner and Grabeel and a featurette about the costumes.
Movie Review: It's okay
Summary: 2 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I thought the father was miscast and the editing could have been tighter to produce a shorter film. The rest of the cast seemed well selected and it was a pleasant surprise to see Penny Marshall acting again. The storyline seemed more like a made for TV show sit-com. I think the premise of adjusting to a mother's death and then adjusting to a new school district was worthy, but there was no real depth given to any area. If I were a pre-adolescent then perhaps I would have enjoyed it more.