 | |
List Price: $24.99 | | Label: MTV
Salesrank: 24487
Released: August 12, 2008 |
| Our Price: $1.49 |
| Used Price: $0.14 |
|
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
The American Mall is the must-see television event of the summer, from the executive producers of the blockbuster High School Musical movies. The movie premieres on MTV on August 12, 2008 at 9:00 PM (EST). The American Mall Soundtrack is in stores on the same day as the DVD release of the movie. Set in the kind of mall that's always been a home away from home for teens everywhere, The American Mall is the story of Ally, a hardworking young woman whose mother has owned a music shop even since it opened when Ally was a kid. Ally's singer/songwriter dreams seem to come closer to fruition when she meets Joey, a musician who's moonlighting as a janitor at the mall in order to support his own rock star ambitions. Ally's happiness and the fate of the music store are threatened when the mall owner's spoiled daughter, Madison - who will stop at nothing to get what she wants - gets involved.
Description of The American Mall:
A musical from the producers of High School Musical, American Mall has an abundance of great music and large choreographed dances, though many of the big production scenes seem forced and abruptly placed, especially compared to the seamless flow of its Disney predecessor. Pursuing one's dreams is seldom easy, and that's certainly the case for budding musician Ally (Nina Dobrev), having grown up in the mall at her mother's music store with a gift for songwriting and music aspirations, despite her mother's more practical plan for her to pursue a business degree. Ally's biggest problem is that she can't seem to finish her musical compositions, but that all changes when she meets night janitor Joey (Rob Mayes), a struggling rock musician who creates lyrics for her music and becomes her inspiration. The two develop a close relationship, but when the mall owner's daughter Madison (Autumn Reeser) threatens to close down Ally's mother's music store and steal Joey, his band, and one of Ally's songs to promote her new clothing line, Ally's life seems destined to fall apart completely. The storyline of typical girl, hot boy, and self-absorbed girl parallels High School Musical, Camp Rock, and a host of other popular movies, but tweens and teens will nonetheless find both story and music compelling. Bonus features include two separate commentary tracks: one with the director and "The Janitors" and the other with eight cast members including Dobrev, Mayes, and Reeser. There are also deleted scenes, bloopers, a learn to dance segment with choreographer Bonnie Story, extended performances of "Every 10 Seconds" and "At the Mall," four music videos including "You Got That Light" by The Janitors, and an alternate film ending. If you liked High School Musical and Camp Rock, you'll enjoy American Mall. (Ages 10 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
The American Mall Reviews:
An X generation Grease? 
2009-11-17 - I found myself liking this sort of Partridge Family manufactured
for TV rock story about what else a romance between a singing boy and a singing girl.
Nina Dobrev is sort of the perfect modern x generation girl:
manufactured for Sterio HDTV: beautiful voice and a fashion manikin body.
The rich mall owner's daughter (Autumn Reeser) is the villain who wants to take the boy friend away.
My DVD gives no credit for the music.
"I must be dreaming wide awake
I must be dreaming
I must be dreaming wide awake"
Who ever wrote the music probably needs a good intellectual property lawyer?
I can't find a name anywhere...
Here you have a movie with one of the main themes being the
singer-song writer's rights to her song,
and then, you can't find who actually wrote that song
( they haven't given out that information?).
What kind of picture of the world does that give the young idealistic
people who will love this movie for generations?
talented young people 
2009-09-27 - This is great to watch if you like music. These young kids are very good singers and dancers, and the old ones aren't to bad either. Easy to get stimulated and get up and sing and dance also.
Fun musical
2009-01-27 - This movie has replaced the "High School Musical" trilogy for my granddaughter and entertaining enough for adults.
Unknows actors with memorable tunes 
2009-01-20 - A bunch of unknown actors except Autumn Reeser who had a supporting role in The O.C.
Despite that, the songs didn't disappoint. My favorites are "Clear," "Dreaming Wide Awake" & "Survivor."
Win some, lose some 
2009-01-08 - The DVD looks in good shape but when we watched it the DVD skipped and froze. It's not our DVD player as we played other DVD's just fine. Daughter disappointed--my own fault for not figuring out how to return/exchange.
