Recap: Camp Rock
Camp Rock by John Medland/Disney Channel
OMG! Tonight was the premiere of
Camp Rock, and I'm not sure where to begin. There's been a lot of hype surrounding the TV-movie and whether it will be as good, or even better than
High School Musical. I personally thought it was pretty rockin'. I'd recap every detail, but we'd be here all night. So here's my abbreviated version - now let's get to it!
The movie began with Mitchie (brilliantly played by breakout star
Demi Lovato) on her last day of school. She's as chipper as can be as she dreams of being able to attend Camp Rock. She's immediately brought back to reality as her mom tells her one last time that there's no way they can afford to send her there. While Mitchie is off at school, sad that her musical fantasy may never come to fruition, her mom gets an offer to be the camp cook since her catering gigs tend to slow down during the summer months. Mitchie can come along, with the stipulation that she helps in the kitchen.
The first person Mitchie meets is Caitlyn, the music producer in training. We're also introduced to music director Dee LaDuke, who by the way seemed way cooler than any of the camp directors I ever had. This summer there's also a celebrity instructor, none other than Connect 3 outcast Shane Grey, whose uncle happens to run Camp Rock. Shane's attitude has gotten so bad that his band's tour has been cancelled and he's banished to teach hip-hop at Camp Rock. Real-life brother Nick plays the level-headed member of the group and Kevin, the clueless one.
It doesn't take long for Mitchie to start practicing her tunes in private. Shane overhears her self-written "This is Me," and is wowed. But when he sets out to find the girl behind the voice, she's already gone. Later that day Mitchie meets the rest of the Camp Rock gang. She immediately realizes that everyone has some sort of famous parent and that she's going to have to lie to fit in. When she does, the popular clique made up of Tess, the ultimate mean girl, Ella and Peggy, take her in.
One of my favorite scenes of the movie was when Shane and Mitchie meet in the kitchen. To hide her true identity, she covers her face in flour, but when Shane acts like a jerk, she doesn't hide her true feelings. Mitchie totally calls him out on it and even gets Shane to apologize to her, something he rarely does.
It's not too long before Shane and Mitchie meet (as herself), and the two immediately click. With the sparkles in their eyes, something is bound to happen. Unfortunately, a food fight in the kitchen lands Caitlyn on kitchen duty, so it won't be long before Mitchie's gig is up and Shane and company will learn her secret. When Caitlyn finally discovers who Mitchie's mom really is, it causes a rift. Not because her mom's not some big-shot producer, but simply because she lied. Lesson here, people? Honesty is the best policy. Mitchie doesn't yet get that, and when she continues to live her double-life, Tess finds out.
Connect 3 debuts their new song "Play My Music" at Beach Jam. It's here that Tess decides it's time to out Mitchie. The worst part is that now Shane thinks she just wanted to be friends with him because he's a pop star. While this is far from the truth, it's hard for Shane to see beyond the lie and realize their true connection. To make matters worse, Tess convinces the camp director that Mitchie and Caitlyn stole her charm bracelet in order to get her banned from camp activities, notably Final Jam.
There were three featured performances at Final Jam. Baron, Sander and Ella sang and jammed to "Hasta La Vista." Next up were the ""t-Girls" which was mainly Tess. Her song was ironic as her mom finally showed up just in time to hear her sing "You never care, you're never there." Something happened at the end of this performance (someone fill me in on what?) and Tess finally shows her vulnerable side. The surprise performance of the night came from Margaret Dupree, better known as Peggy. She sang an outstanding ballad called "Here I Am" that earned her respect from her peers and shockingly, Tess.
Just when we think it's the end of Final Jam, it's Mitchie's turn to show everyone what she's made of. She shines during "This is Me," and Shane realizes that she's the girl he's been searching for. Not only was this the voice inside Shane's head, but this is the song that's been stuck in mine all week. I predict a chart-topper with this one!
The winner of Final Jam is announced and it's... Margaret Dupree! Unexpected but well-deserved. And then the final performance, "We Rock." I have to say it was a pretty awesome final song and dance number. And on that note, the movie ended. There may not have been a kiss shared between Mitchie and Shane, but I think there's definitely room for that in the next one. So until
Camp Rock 2 comes out, thanks for reading!
Rockin' scenes and
note-able moments
" "Love it. Totally Blinglish-is"
" Did anyone else wonder how Shane was able to teach hip-hop in his tight white pants? Maybe that was just me.
" Shane's mesmerizing serenade to Mitchie
" "Whatever Major Loser"
" Loved Mitchie's style throughout
" Did anyone else pick up on the fact that Mitchie (in the beginning of the movie) worked at Barney's and Demi, coincidentally, got her start on
Barney & Friends.
So what did you all think? Favorite song and moment of the night? Let me hear your thoughts!
To re-watch your favorite
Camp Rock moments, check out our
Online Video Guide
Related:
"
Disney Channel Rocks the Ratings
"
The Five Greatest Moments from Camp Rock
"
Watch our red-carpet interviews with the Camp Rock cast!
"
Check out our Camp Rock photo gallery!
"
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