Musicals On TV - Teen Beach Movie

Disney, 2013
Starring Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Grace Phipps, and Garrett Clayton
Directed by Jeffrey Hornaday
Music by various

Hoping for a musical hit as big as their High School Musical franchise, Disney hit the waves with this take on the "beach party" movies of the mid-60's. Those films were wildly popular with teens looking for drive-in fodder,  reflecting much of the early surfing and rock n' roll culture. How do those carefree, crazy movies look to a pair of modern teen surfers? Let's head to the beach, where Mack (Mitchell) is waiting for the big one and trying to figure out her future, and find out...

The Story: Mack's boyfriend Brady (Lynch) is devastated when she tells him she's leaving the island and her grandfather's (Barry Boswick) surf shop. She wants to pursue her mother's dream of going to college by joining a prestigious boarding school...but first, she wants to ride a huge 40-foot wave that's on its way. Brady's horrified at the idea and takes a jet ski to find her.

They're swept away and somehow float into the world of Wet Side Story, a 60's beach party film that happens to be Brady's favorite movie. He's thrilled to be among the surfers and bikers who are battling for control of their local hangout Big Mamma's. Super-mature and logical Mack would rather be going home, even after she catches the eye of head surfer Tanner (Clayton) and Brady catches biker girl Lela (Philpps). Trouble is, the two are supposed to fall for each other, then rally the bikers and surfers to take on a pair of mad scientists who have built a laser to change the weather and create another rogue wave. Now Mack and Brady have to try to make the two fall for each other...and teach the groups a lesson in following their heart - if they want to get home.

The Song and Dance: As someone who loves musicals and grew up by the beach, this may be my favorite of the Disney Channel original musicals. The self-reflexive references to beach party and musical cliches reminds me a lot of another Disney musical spoof, Enchanted, although that one brought the musical character to the real world. Lynch and Mitchell had a great time as the duo trying to get home, especially when they're practically singing against their will.

Favorite Number: "Cruisin' for a Bruisin' introduces the biker gang in Wet Side Story and gives Brady a chance to show off how well he knows the film by eagerly joining their intricate choreography. "Boys/Girls Like Me" has the boys at Big Momma's and the girls at a slumber party as they reveal how much romance has changed since 1962. "Falling for Ya" is where everything goes off the ropes as Tanner flirts with Mack and Brady saves Lela. "Meant to Be" has Brady and Mack attempt to shove Tanner and Lela together, with disastrous results. Mack and Brady are so frustrated they're becoming part of the film, they try to talk about it, but "Can't Stop Singing" instead.

Trivia: This is dedicated to original beach babe Annette Funicello, who died in April 2013.

What I Don't Like: Obviously, this is as fluffy as the movies they're making fun of. If you're musical-resistant like Mack or are looking for something more substantial, this won't be for you. It probably helps if you're either into musicals or the real Beach Party movies or are in the 8 - 12 target audience, too.

The Big Finale: If you have surf-crazy pre-teens or are a fan of musicals or the "Beach Party" films yourself, you might get a kick out of this one.

Home Media: As one of the Disney Channel's biggest hits, this is easy to find on streaming and DVD.

DVD
Amazon Prime