Disney has a sweet thing going on with this Blu-Ray/DVD dual pack they release movies in. It truly is the best of both worlds, and when you add in a digital copy, well, that's a pretty sweet deal Disney is offering people. However, the only reason I mention that is to delay having to confess something; I watched Hannah Montana: The Movie, and what's worse, I actually kind of liked it. I know, you may not think that's such a big deal, but after resisting the HM phenom for so long, to finally view something from it and realize it isn't all that bad, well that's a tough pill to swallow (plus it ain't easy for a rough around the edges, roguish guy like me to admit to watching something like Hannah Montana.)

All I knew about Hannah Montana before I saw the movie was that she's insanely popular and that she has more merchandise than Mickey Mouse. I also knew that my girls thought she was awesome despite never having seeing her show or ever hearing any of her music (that's the power of marketing, my friends.) Well, I couldn't shield my family from Hannah forever, so when I was sent a Blu-Ray/DVD pack of her movie debut, I decided it was time to sit down and watch it with my family. If nothing else, I knew my girls would enjoy it. I was shocked, however, to discover that I enjoyed it as well.

I will temper my comments by saying having no expectations what so ever may have made it easier for me to enjoy the movie. I didn't really know what to expect, and any expectations I had were in the "stupid and dumb" range. However, Hannah Montana: The Movie turned out to be a fairly well written, very sweet, occasionally witty and occasionally funny look at the pratfalls of trying to be famous and live a normal life at the same time. This is like watching what it would be like if Superman were a pop star instead of a super hero (and if he were a tween girl instead of an insanely muscled grown man.)

I guess the biggest surprise for me was Miley Cyrus. All I knew about her was from whatever made the news, so I was surprised to find that her performance while a bit goofy and cheesy was actually that of a young woman who seemed genuine and real. She isn't a flawless pop star, she's a goofy sometimes clumsy kid with real problems, real relationships and a real life complicated by the fantasy of being Hannah Montana. The way the film deals with its conflicts sometimes skews into almost being poignant as Cyrus reflects on how her life and fame has affected her, her family, and her home town.

The other surprise was the writing. While many scenes where the typical, saccharine type of Disney family friendly fun, there were plenty of moments that were genuinely funny and a few that were even touching. Toss in believable if at times silly performances from both Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus as well as that of their supporting cast, and you have a surprisingly solid story of a girl rediscovering who she is and how important family and friends really are. Every time I laughed out loud I was shocked, and I was even more surprise when I actually felt the sadness and the pain Miley faced during her journey back home and back to who she truly is.

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