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Camp Rock

Just finished Rockin' the House with Disney's newest song and dance flick, Camp Rock. The long awaited, can't wait to see it High School Musical follow up finally arrived to the delight of tweens everywhere.

"Camp Rock" stars 15 year old Demi Lovato, the latest arrival from Disney's tween star machine. Lovato plays Mitchie Torres, a young singer-songwriter who is only able to afford attending the prestigious rock camp because her mother takes a job as the camp cook.

The story continues in true Disney fashion. Mitchie feels ashamed by her less prestigious family and tries to cover up that she has to help out in the kitchen. She makes up a grand lie that endears her to the snobby, rich, "It" girl. You know the drill.

The piece de resistance for any tween girl is the appearance of the Jonas Brothers. The squeaky-clean rockin' brothers play a fictitious band called Connect Three. Joe Jonas, the middle brother of the trio, has the largest part as the lead male in the flick. He plays, Shane Grey, an obnoxious singer sent to Camp Rock for a reality check and attitude adjustment. His tour of duty is to serve as a dance instructor at the camp.

With the Cinderella/Ariel twist he hears this amazing voice and it becomes his muse. He must find the fair maiden who sings so beautifully to complete his transition from beast to beauty.

"Camp Rock" really is very weak in the plot department, but just cute enough to keep kids enamored. Disney banked on the Starry-eyed factor to make up for the fact that "Camp Rock" is nowhere near as well put together as the High School Musicals. The Washington Post called it "pretty lame" and the Los Angeles Times countered with, "The product may be 'inauthentic,' if such a thing is even possible, but the way it will connect with a lot of little girls and more than a few little boys is real enough. Authenticity is in the heart of the beholder."

Like it or not Camp Rock is hot, hot, hot, and the mere mention of it can bring on deafening screams and squeals of joy from Tweens who are loving it. It seems it is going to ignite at least the same kind of a merchandise frenzy, if not more than the High School Musical franchise with soundtracks, dolls, clothes, bedroom gear, you name it.

The Magic of Disney's stars just keep on twinkling. Watch for Camp Rock 2 to begin filming in 2009.

Hot Songs & Lyrics from Camp Rock:

• We Rock
  
  
• Play My Music
  
  
• This is Me