Say what you will about the phenomenon that is Hannah Montana, but it’s no different from the many other musical acts that preceded her. People are quick to forget just how fanatical female teenagers can get – whether it’s Elvis Presley, The Beatles, New Kids on the Block, ‘N Sync, or even Britney Spears – and though much was made about Miley Cyrus and her Disney-bred alter ego’s “Best of Both Worlds” tour being sold out within minutes, it’s certainly not the first time that it’s happened. That didn’t stop desperate dads from doing whatever it took to score tickets (including running a 50-meter dash in high heels for a radio contest, as documented in the film), but it also didn’t make getting them any easier. Thankfully, Disney not only recognized that thousands of teeny boppers would miss out on the big event, but that they could actually turn a healthy profit by releasing the concert in theaters.
As far as concert films go, “Best of Both Worlds” is typical fare. Most of the movie is spent watching Miley perform, but occasionally, the audience is treated to a sneak peek backstage or a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals. And guess what? It’s not that bad. The 3D version of the concert is less exciting than it sounds (just when you begin to feel like part of the crowd, a scene not filmed in 3D pulls you right back out), but it’s still a nice addition to the set. Plus, while Miley’s music isn’t exactly the stuff of Grammys, what she lacks in quality material, she more than makes up for with an energetic performance. The same goes for the Jonas Brothers (this generation’s equivalent of Hanson), who stop by to give Miley a breather midway through. Both are key players in this new wave of tween-ertainment, and while you might not understand what all the fuss is about, when all is said and done, you’ll at least respect it.
