The Challenge (2003) User Reviews

One of the more watchable Olsen movies

[blonde_ambition · 4/10 · 3 February 2005]

As far as Olsen movies go, this one is pretty good. It has a plot, and is actually watchable. Mary-Kate and Ashley have always been bad actors, and they haven't improved at all here, and once again they are practically playing themselves, but this is just a straight to video release and in that respect, it's just decent. And whereas most Olsen movies are basically an archive of them having fun, I think there was only ONE Olsens-having-fun moment in here.

To be critical, the acting is crap, the love interests aren't at all cute, and some of the supporting cast are pretty annoying, especially the girl who plays to win. It's a good movie for the Olsens, but it is unfortunately let down by a "twist" ending which is totally crap, ridiculous, and completely big headed on the Olsens part. Fortunatly, this marked the end of the Olsens' run of videos, and thats probably why they set out to try and make it half decent.

To praise the movie, it is watchable, and it's one of the Olsen movies where they don't come across as annoying (at least they aren't annoying, until the, as Mary-Kate called it, "cool surprise"). That cool surprise isn't cool at all. It's pretty big headed.

Ultimately, it's worth a look in.

Mostly lame, although watch-able near the end...

[dwpollar · 4/10 · 15 May 2023]

1st watched 5/13/2023 - (Dir-Craig Shapiro): Mostly lame, although watch-able near the end in this Mary Kate & Ashley late offering for the twins. They kind of follow the pattern of the Disney film "The Parent Trap" in this one as sisters from across the continent living with divorced mom and dad meet un-expectantly by both applying to be in the reality game show called "The Challenge." Thru a marketing gimmick, the producers decide it would be good for ratings for both to be on the program, and in a weird twist - are also put on the same team. They haven't seen each other for 4 years and don't like each other at all. The producers figure the conflict will bring up ratings. This conflict initially make's their team not do well, but after each challenge - they start learning from each other and start connecting again and the team flourishes. There are the typical romantic things happening - with a nice montage at the end bringing back boyfriends from other movies - making me wonder if this is their last. Also - the tension of the last challenge with Mary Kate & Ashley facing their biggest fears brings the movie out of the "really bad" to "ok" fare. There is never much deep in any of these movies - which is expected, but they definetly have appealed to some to last this long. Not for me, though - and I'm probably not the target audience, either.

Passable

[texxas-1 · 5/10 · 4 May 2020]

I liked this but it's not a favourite of the Olsen films. I found it slightly depressing that the sisters hated each other, I much prefered the films where they're basically like the same person. Also the theme tune to the game show constantly getting played sounded so irritating. The supporting cast was great, much better than most of the other films.

the best

[Shelley_X · 7 April 2006]

this is the best Mary-Kate and Ashley movie i've ever seen! i'm a HUGE fan of Mary-Kate and Ashley and this film was definitely the best!

i really liked it how in the end, all of their movie boyfriends came back and it was really good to see how much they have changed since they were young, it was great! and also when they had to eat all of the disgusting food/creatures that was entertaining to watch!

and i loved the music in the movie too! it really brought my attention.

Mary-Kate and Ashley are so lucky to be in such great movies, i'd kill to act in them...

it seemed like a real t.v show to me and sometimes i forgot that it was actually a movie!

this movie was great. :)

Only for hard-core fans of the Olsen twins.

[fregert-1 · 1/10 · 23 August 2005]

Every minute of this movie was sheer pain. I would never have watched it voluntarily, but as it happens, I had to translate it for Swedish TV. I'm not very familiar with the Olsen twins's previous work, but I have an idea of what it's generally about. The "twin card" seems to be played a lot. By this I mean that the plot always seems to involve different aspects/problems etc of being twins. "The Challenge" is not an exception. If you're interested in a more detailed commentary about the plot, look elsewhere. I don't intend to delve into that here. The reasons for my intense dislike of it are many. It's not "1-out-of-10-awful" like any other movie I've seen. This one disgusts me with its perkiness, politically correctness and morality. I guess it goes without saying that the story, acting, directing, script etc is disastrous. Enough said! In closing: stay away from it. It was a nightmare to translate (not because of linguistic difficulties...), it's torture to just watch it. And with that, I rest my case.

My six year old twins like it...

[kboggs-1 · 3/10 · 22 September 2006]

I found it in the bargain bin at Walmart and thought my twins might like it. They do but it sure wouldn't be my first choice. I will say that the scenery is beautiful, although some of it looks like Hawaii rather than Mexico. Which brings to mind the "totems" that the teams compete for. They are clearly Hawaiian/Polynesian tikis. Why they didn't use some sort of Mexican statue is a mystery to me. I guess this is a small point but since the movie attempts to be so PC, it seems like a big mistake.

Bottom line - If you have pre-teen girls. It'll probably be hit with them. Otherwise, look for something else.

A Challenge ....if you plan to stay awake through this film

[dcookoo-1 · 1/10 · 30 May 2006]

speaking as an Olsen fan, i was amazed to find this film was not up to much, i actually thought it would be quite good, considering the Olsen twin's other films and projects. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen deliver us a cheesy, dull film. the storyline dose not even be strong, funny or even exciting, the only people who will like this film is probably people who just like to see the Olsen twins on the TV, i speak as a fan, their other TV projects are actually quite entertaining and fun. in conclusion i found that "The Challenge" was a challenge in itself you you do not wont to fall asleep or be extremely bored. As for Mary-Kate and Ashley- maybe next time

Alas tiz a good Olsen Twins movie!

[liby_and_kabiya · 10/10 · 9 December 2004]

This is a typical survivor movie. Twins whose parents are divorced and can't stand each, are put on The Challenge, a TV show just like Survivor. the prize is a collage scholarship. The contestants of The Challenge are put in two groups. the twins are put on the same team. they HAVE to learn to get along to be able to win. i love this movie, it is so funny watching the two sisters fighting over the stupidest things. this movie is ideal to MK and A fans. You wouldn't like it if you are of 17. It is good for a family movie. This is one of my favourite MK and A movies second to Our Lips are Sealed and New York Minute. it is very like NEw York Minute where it has a pair of twins who are very different and don't spend much time together then get stuck together.

I Love the Olsens!

[popcorn_gem_gemz · 8 March 2004]

How amazing is this film??? Yet another classic from the Olsen twins (who never get old!) We've grown up with them, all the way from when they played baby Michelle on Full House. In this film we see them acting very mature in order to win a college scholarship. The Challenge fully demonstrates the teamwork that can be achieved even when people hate each other. It is also a summary of how much sisters really do mean to one another. A bit of a cheesy ending, with Mary-Kate and Ashley walking off saying "we will always have each other" to be followed by clips of them throughout their careers. But all in all, a brilliant display!!!

Another Olsen Classic :)

[sarahmoloughlin · 10/10 · 12 July 2005]

I am only a teenager and have loved the Olsen twins' movies my whole life, so when i saw this movie at the video store knew it would be good and i was right

ABOUT THE MOVIE Shane (Mary-Kate Olsen) and Lizzie (Ashley Olsen) Are two twins that both try to get on a show called "The Challenge" without knowing the other one had. Shane and Lizzie's parents divorced when they were twelve so when their mum decided to move from Washington to Las Angelas Shane decided to go with her, because her and Lizzie were complete opposites. Shane's a vegetarian and is all like a hippy and Lizzie is a city girl who loves a juicy Steak. When they both get chosen to go on the show because one of the interns think it would be good for ratings they start their disagreements and start losing all the challenges because of their disagreements.

I think this movie is one of the Olsen's best!!!

What can I say? It's an Olsen twins movie

[vchimpanzee · 25 November 2003]

Shane and Lizzie are sisters whose parents divorced. Shane went with her mother to California, and she cares about nature, she refuses to eat meat, and she practices yoga. Lizzie stayed with her father in the Washington, D.C., area, and she is intelligent, politically involved, driven to succeed, and carries a cell phone everywhere. Both girls want to change the world, in their own way.

Shane and the others wonder why there are only seven contestants when eight is normal. It seems Lizzie is late (unusual for her, actually), and when she finally does show up, Shane is not happy. Both girls come close to quitting.

The show is part 'Survivor' and part 'Fear Factor'. The eight young people are divided into two teams. Since the show is being filmed in Mexico, the teams are the Aztecs and the Mayans. Both sisters end up on the Mayan team.

As is often true in Disney movies, the ones you don't want to win get ahead in the competition, and you begin to wonder about the team you support, who are subjected to humiliation whenever they fail. But both Shane and Lizzie contribute unique abilities to their team, so there is a chance.

Though I have seen only clips of reality shows, I thought the 'Challenge' program seemed very realistic in its presentation, as if I was watching that show rather than a movie about it. The acting performances were stereotypical for the most part. But I especially enjoyed the conceited swimmer on the Aztec team. And I can't help but like those Olsen twins. At times, especially in the blooper reel at the end and in the interviews that appeared on the 'Challenge' program, they seemed more sophisticated than the cute little girls we have come to know. But they have yet to shake that adorable image.

It wasn't a great movie, and not a classic by any means, but it was Disney-style fun.

The Challenge Is Excellent

[rickrick1964 · 10/10 · 7 July 2005]

This is really a must-see MK&A movie! Their true personalities come out a bit in it (especially Mary-Kate's) and it really makes me want to cry (in certain parts) because it gets so sentimental and I'm such a huge fan of theirs! I give this movie my highest possible rating because I loved it as much as any of MK&A's (totally awesome) movies! They are such great actresses (and such terrific human-beings) and all of those "truths" about them just pop-out at you in this movie! I love the setting (the ocean & desert in Baja Mexico) and the plot is great too (except that I didn't really care to see MK&A eating those horrible things in that one part of the film -- aha)! I hope that if you haven't seen it already that you will soon! MK&A deserve our support! They really and truly do! Sincerely, Rick Morris

One of the best Olsen Twins movies

[FurBallsUnite · 3 August 2006]

As with all of my other Olsen Twins movies, I rate this against their other movies, not against the standard world of Hollywood movies. Hence the ten rating.

This movie is probably the most entertaining and sensible of the Olsen Twins movies. Even my younger brothers, who were nineteen when they watched this, enjoyed this movie. There is actually a plot and the girls have distinguished characters for once. In most of their other movies, they're basically the same person. The Mexican scenery is beautiful. The collage at the end is a nice treat for fans of their movies. This is definitely one of their movies that would be tolerable to non-fans. If you liked the comedy in this one, I'd recommend "Our Lips Are Sealed." If you liked the distinct characterization, I'd recommend "Winning London." If you liked the tropical scenery, I'd recommend "Holiday in the Sun."

This is probably one of the best, if not the best M-k & A movie out there!

[tj_jt · 8/10 · 3 January 2006]

In my opinion, this has to be the best Mary-Kate and AShley movie I have seen and I am a fan so I have seen quite a lot of them! The sister's true personalities come out more in this movie and it's a lovely plot including them as estranged sisters getting to know each other better, which ironically also helps the audience get to know them as individuals too.

One of my favourite bits of this movie is actually the names of M-K and A's characters, as unlike many of their previous movies, their names don't begin with M & A, like their on names and they are left to be individual on their own, instead of by their names. If you understand what I'm trying to say here....

Anyway, a great movie worth a watch, especially if you're a Mary-Kate and AShley fan to begin with, it wraps up their TV movie career really well and flicks back to some of their favourite bits of their careers. Great!!!

Good Olsen Twin Movie!

[Tazzmaynia11-1 · 13 January 2005]

Its definitely one of my favourite MK&A movies because it has more of a story to it than the others, everyone knows the typical MK&A movies they go to some exotic place and meet cute, buff boys and its a romance thing this has that and a lot more.

Shane and Lizzie audition to be on a reality TV show, called The Challenge, they are twins but live separately one with the dad one with the mum. Neither one of them knows the other is auditioning and they both get chosen. this is bad because they don't get on. They set their differences aside for the sake of the team and eventually bond as sisters again. its a really nice story! i say if your between 12-15 you should watch it! i think you will enjoy ****/*****

A great movie

[cooling_boy1 · 10/10 · 14 January 2006]

This movie is one of the very best with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. They both act very well in it and are so cute. The story is very good. It it is a lot of romance in it and that is the best of all. The movie is also fun sometimes and its contain is really excellent. Everyone who likes the " twins" will love this movie from the very beginning to the very end. It is so exciting all the time and you never know what is going to happen next. And when Mary-Kate and Ashley smile then the whole screen lights up. You can't resist to smile when they do it. It is totally irresistible. I really recommend you to see the movie and i promise that you won't become disappointed.

Estranged twins are forced to be teammates on a reality TV show

[ablang · 17 November 2003]

This was a pretty cute kids movie by fraternal twins Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. They play Shane & Lizzie, who have spent the last 4 years apart because their parents wanted different things and the girls had nothing in common anyway. The producers of this Survivor-type reality show (spoofing it right down to the host and the physical challenges, but lacking the elimination of members) noticed that these twins both sent in audition tapes and thought it would be great ratings to have them on the same team.

I won't spoil the rest for you, but needless to say it is a cute movie, and the twins are very adorable (they are almost full-grown adults).

This movie was pretty cool.

[ms_bunni · 8/10 · 12 June 2005]

Have anyone seen The Even Stevens Movie? I think in a way, it's a lot alike. 'The Challenge' reminded me of that movie anyway. I've seen it and I guess it is pretty cool, a big change to the usual Mk and A movies. The movie, felt like it ended to quickly. It seemed like 'The Challenge' the show Mk and A was on, the events happened a little too quickly and something was missing. But... FINALLY a plot that isn't like all their other movies. It was cool seeing Mk and A in a movie where their not 'great' sisters, and having a sister is all glitz and glam. Every movie, there's always a boy, for each of them. Why not both of them wrestling over the same one? I think that's more entertaining to watch. And why is the boy always coming to them. Why not they go to the boys? Somehow the change might help make the movie more interesting and not so plain and simple. But I got to say I liked the movie. I would say... you SHOULD watch it.

Great Movie!!

[ForeverAHeathFan · 15 November 2003]

I loved this movie!! My mom and I watched it tonight and we both thought it was very good... I think Mary-Kate and Ashley are excellent actress' and the movie had a great premise.... It is a scaled down version of the TV show Survivor... It is great to see the twins all grown up for a change!!

It was pretty good

[kilikij17 · 8/10 · 17 November 2003]

I gave this movie an 8 simply because I did not see the whole thing. I love Mary-Kate and Ashley movies and that is the main reason I watched it. It was pretty interesting. I like the fact that it was centered around a game show. It was a mix between "The Parent Trap" and the game show "Moo-Lah Beach" or "Endurance," which I also watched. It isn't my favorite out of their movies and the guys in it were not the best they've had but it was good. And what was up with Brian Skala's hair? He looked better on Just Deal in my opinion. Well, newayz, that is what I liked about the movie.

One of the best they have made!

[M-KandAobsessed · 10/10 · 23 November 2003]

Seeing as my opinion might be a little biased because I am a huge fan of Mary-Kate and Ashley. i will admit that the plot of a T.v show where Shane (M-K) and Lizzie (Ash) both want to get on and recieve college schlorships is a little unrealistic but the actual movie is amazing. This is M-kandA's last straight to video movie and are now beginning their big screen career beginnging with New York Minute so this video was a little sentimental being their last and all. I think their acting has improved from their previous movies and they have really matured. The location was gorgeous as were their clothing, hair and make-up and everything else about the movie. I think if you have seen other m-kand a movie you'll know what to expect and get more than that but if you go into watching this movie thinking it's going to be an Oscar winner maybe your expectations are to high remember it's only a Mary-Kate and Ashley straight to video movie, amazing! but still only a Mary-Kate and Ashley straight to video movie.

Best

[niyahsnewacc · 10/10 · 21 April 2021]

Next up to New York Minute, this is Mary Kate and Ashley's best movie. Most of their movies are extremely cheesy and hard to watch as an adult and this one captivated my attention for the whole movie. Great location, cinematography, soundtrack and story. The last 10 minutes are great fun and will put a huge smile on your face for anybody who knows the sisters past projects. I love the challenge!

The Olsen twins are back and better than ever! Join them on a reality TV show. For once the two don't exactly get along!

[elbell2000 · 29 November 2003]

This movie is amazing! As always, there are love interests and jet skis, but there's something really different about this one. It actually has substance and a plot! The very end really made it for me. This surprise ending was truly inspired, the best these twins have done yet! Keep it up girls!

a typical Olsen-Twin movie

[chrissie_g · 24 January 2004]

Before you complain: This is a typical Teenage-Olsen-Twin movie. It´s nice, it´s charming, it´s predictable. The music is TERRIFIC, the landscapes are great, and it´s nice for ending an evening of really hard work, because it allows you to relax and feel good

***SPOILER: At the end of the movie, when everybody gets their sweetheart and they kiss - stay tuned! It´s the BEST ending I´ve ever seen in a teenage-lovestory! And really funny - because it proves the twins have humor and know how to laugh about their own previous productions! ***END OF SPOILER ***

Still I feel a bit sad, because I really do believe that the two sisters CAN act (plus: they feel comfortable on front of the camera, and act naturally), but they could achieve SO much more with the right story and the right crew. Maybe Charlie´s Angels was a good beginning...

I sincerely hope so ;-)