Another Cinderella Story Review

DANCING EVER AFTER...

Mary (Selena Gomez) and Joey (Drew Seeley) go face to face--wait, what?

If you're not into teeny films like this, I advise you to leave this review. Eheh, but seriously, although this is not really unpredictable--that means, you won't get the idea that Selena Gomez's and Drew Seeley's characters will end up in love together--it's quite worth the watch.

     The movie premiered barely four years ago, (it would be five this September 16th, 2013) but it felt like it's been already ten years. Er, I don't know, maybe it's just me. Anyways, here's a recap of the story.

     It starts with Dominique Blatt (played by Jane Lynch) shooting her commercial ad. To be frank, this first few minutes were actually funny. One might have already noticed some cliches in here. I just loved how Selena Gomez can act so influential. Her line "Oh, how could I ever forget?" was sarcasm-studded and at the same time, wouldn't fail to make me laugh every time. Going back, Mary is actually working for Dominique and her two (well, not so ugly,) daughters Bree and Britt. Cinderella concept, first check. But the only ugh thing here is how common these damsels-in-distress plot lines, and therefore, overused. But then, I tried my best to ignore that.

     The next predictable part here is the arrival of the Prince Charming. Oh, come on--we all know it's not complete until one hot guy arrives and was destined to fall in love with our Cinderella. And oh, I forgot--I would notice how Mary Santiago wasn't like those helpless, stern-faced girls in some romance movies. Then, what I didn't expect here is how Dominique Blatt wanted to hold a duet with the pop heart throb Joey Parker (played by Drew Seeley), who was still on his 'break'. She kept on insisting he go duet with her. They du-et. Get it? :) Hey, whoa, Jane Lynch mentioned that one point. So since this part, I noticed there's something fishy about Dominique Blatt's stardom. I mean, why would she ask to 'team-up' with J.P., if she was famous enough?

     Skipping a few scenes, we arrive at the ball. In the film it's a black-and-white masquerade ball. Of course it has to be a masquerade ball. The only thing I hated about films with masked balls is how stupid characters there become. I mean, wasn't it obvious it's Mary wearing that red (that time, red was really prone to attention, since dress code is black and white) dress? Or it's Joey with that familiar black guy wearing wings? But then, what I liked most here is their Valentine Dance Tango. You'll definitely fall in love with both Mary and Joey. And like Cinderella, here strikes the clock for midnight, and what's modernized here in the movie is the substitution of the glass slipper to a Zune which, our hurriedly Cinderella will leave behind for Prince Charming to pick up and keep and ogle on.

     And like in Cinderella, Joey held some kind of 'search' for the girl he danced with at the ball. The only basis here is not whoever girl foot fits the slipper, but to who can name the four most listed songs on the Zune the mystery girl left in haste. Of course, a long queue would try and snag J.P.. The next thing that happens is Bree and Britt threatening Mary that they'll upload her private video on YouTube for the world to see. Oookay, I guess I forgot to mention that. Well, the 'Mary's Private Video' is just about a younger version of Mary that involved her dancing 'like a dork princess' and kissing Joey's picture on a magazine cover. Well, that's just their blackmail part.

"I'm the one." -- Britt (Emily Perkins)

So from the picture above, yes, that's Britt. On that scene she tried to trick Joey by sneaking inside Mary's room and into her playlist. If you'll ask, the four songs were We All Fall Down, She Wants to Move, Pon de Replay, and Hips Don't Lie. Of course, it was a relief that Joey wasn't stupid enough to just believe her and let her kiss him. Britt could never dance as good (or maybe, even dance just decently) as Mary the Mystery Girl, so instead of getting J.P., she fished herself a predicament. Later on, Bree would try to get Joey. That was one witty and humorous part again. I can't remember what exact words Bree told Joey, but it didn't fail to make me laugh, especially as how dumb she looked with her emotions swinging.

     Even though at one point Mary tried to confess and admit she's the mystery girl Joey is looking for but she's rejected, there was hope left. When the Blatt twins held their 16th birthday (now, quite curious for how long they're turning 16, since Dominique had told Mary they'll turn 16 until she tells them to stop) of course Mary's the maid and servant girl again. Joey was keeping his distance from the house, while his best friend/manager Dustin comes inside the Blatt's to find J.P.'s girl. Mary was hooked up with Joey, and just before they can get further talking, her private video is played on the widescreen TV for everyone at the party to see. Awww. </3 She's crying and devastated, but she managed to convince Joey that she's the one.

     To the important scenes. Natalia Faroush, Joey's ex (I think,) bundled up with the Blatt twins to form plans against Mary. Their first plan of giving Mary a long list of chores failed, since Joey even went on helping Mary with her chores. The next plan was quite successful--it involved Natalia setting up the three of them, her with Joey and Mary, and in the end Mary believed Natalia and Joey are going on again even though Joey and Mary team was still on the way. Er, no comment on the scene. I ain't a girl to cry.

     By the climax, Joey announced a dance contest on the first half of the film, and this is the highlight. Mary, still hurt about them two, reluctantly went with Dustin and her best friend, Tami, to the competition. Whoever wins will get the chance to dance with Joey in his next video. So the humor comes again from Dominique, who shows up on the contest. She didn't do anything, but still hoped Joey would change his mind, and they'll duet, blah blah. Skipping cliches, the performance between Joey and Mary (that actually looked like a showdown at the first part) was quite flashy and entertaining. Then, predictability goes, Mary wins the competition.

     I'll leave the little details for you guys to notice yourselves. But then, to finish this, I'll give my grade.

GRADE: A

     To be honest, I should've given it a perfect A+, but there are still a few things that pull it down. The performance numbers are admittingly grand, yet the story is quite predictable. The humor is sure to make you giggle, but maybe the acting can improve. But hey, the soundtrack is so awesome!

     I'm out.

     [PS: I researched about this film before I gave my review, and I was shocked to find out that Gomez is 15 and Seeley is 25 while shooting this film. It's not that obvious in the film, (but one critic have noticed it) but it's really shocking to know. That's all! :D]

The photos above are not mine.