StarStruck (2010 TV Movie) User Reviews

Great Idea, Poor execution

[kemallory340 · 6/10 · 19 February 2010]

I have to say that I do like the plot of this movie. I thought it was different, it certainly isn't something I've seen before. However, This is clearly a made for TV kids movie. The script is cheesy (normal for Disney, though) and poorly directed. They just don't make it seem real. That seems to be one of Disney's biggest problems lately, they make these movies that are supposed to be inspirational or lesson learning for kids, but they're too unrealistic. This follows suit in the Disney portfolio.

I think it's worth watching once or twice but it's no masterpiece. If you like Disney, you'll like Starstruck. Even if you don't like Disney, you might find it mildly enjoyable.

Has An Excellent Start

[aimless-46 · 14 February 2010]

"Starstruck" (2010) is as good as most Disney movies and much better than some (insert "Princess Protection Program" here). Think "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!" (2004) minus that film's PG elements.

At its core it is another fairy tale as Kalamazoo teenager Jessica Olsen (nicely played by Danielle Campbell) visits Hollywood and accidentally meets mega-star teen heartthrob Christopher Wilde (Sterling Knight). Knight is joined by his "Sonny With A Chance" cast-mate Brandon Mychal Smith.

The secret of this type of fairy tale lies in how well they connect with viewers; if the movie can get viewers to strongly identify with the character as she gets a huge rush from suddenly becoming part of the celebrity world, the viewer will get hooked. Then the challenge is to keep them hooked for as long as possible. "Starstruck" hooks you and provides this vicarious rush well past the midway point, in large part because of the twist of having Jessica rather under-whelmed by the circumstances. But eventually the wheels fall off, or in this case sink into an unlikely mud hole. The illusion bursts and everyone crashes back to reality because it is impossible to suspend disbelief when the AMC Pacer (Petunia) sinks into the mire. From that point on it is just overwrought melodrama until the movie finally recovers and goes out on a very nice reconciliation sequence.

Chelsea Staub is again unsuccessful at playing a mean girl (remember the "Bratz" disaster). Too much natural likability, you would think they would have figured this out by now.

Maggie Castle does a good job as Jessica's older sister Sara, who throughout most of the film is far more into Chad than is Jessica. Abbie Cobb plays Sara's friend AJ. If imitation is really the sincerest form of flattery, then Kay Panabaker should feel real good these days; as Cobb joins Bridgit Mendler and Meaghan Jett Martin (who can successfully play a mean girl) as yet another of Disney's bleached out Panabaker wannabe clones.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Going Hollywood From Kalamazoo

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 15 February 2010]

It struck me almost immediately while watching Starstruck that I'd seen this plot in an old movie, to be precise one that's almost 80 years older than this product from the Disney Studios.

Back in 1933 William Randolph Hearst produced a film for Marion Davies in which she played a star struck teacher of French in a girl's school who falls in love with a radio crooner. The crooner was none other than the biggest crooner of the day, Bing Crosby. So Marion goes off to Hollywood to meet her idol, in fact the name of the film was Going Hollywood.

Now I'm willing to bet that Sterling Knight and newcomer Danielle Campbell have no idea that they are stepping into roles originally created by Bing Crosby and Marion Davies. I really do think Going Hollywood was the inspiration for Starstruck.

Danielle is your average teen girl from Kalamazoo, Michigan crushing out on teen bubblegum idol Sterling Knight. Like Davies she goes cross country to meet her heartthrob. But Knight like most celebrities leads an insulated life, heavily insulated by the people who depend on him for a living including Knight's parents. The only one who gives him an occasional reality check is pal Brandon Mychal Smith, Knight's fellow cast member from Disney's Sonny With A Chance.

Chelsea Staub another Disney teen player from the Jonas series is in this as Knight's vapid and shallow Hollywood girlfriend. As for Sterling he's far from the self centered Chad Dylan Cooper from Sonny With A Chance. He's a decent soul inside, but that soul is way deep inside covered with layers of Hollywood tinsel.

There's been eighty years of change in musical taste and while I might not find the score here equal to what Bing sang and Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed composed, it's decent enough and I daresay with the marketing techniques of the Magic Kingdom will sell quite a few CDs.

Starstruck is easy enough to take, nothing terribly outstanding, but does show off its young cast to good advantage. Even Bing and Marion might be pleased.

This is no High School Musical, but it's still cheesy good!

[gg2507 · 6/10 · 6 February 2021]

Yes it's cliché, dumb and very cheesy. Some situations feel a little rushed, the characters change personalities too fast and too much and there are some unnecessary annoying side characters. Some songs are forgettable and autotuned, but some are actually really good! Despite all its flaws, Stratstruck is light, cute and enjoyable. This not a cheesy masterpiece like HSM but it's totally worth the ride! Perfect for a boring day in which you just want to watch some teen unrealistic love story while eating ice cream.

Only the soundtrack saves...

[RosanaBotafogo · 6/10 · 25 March 2023]

Jessica Olson and her family prepare for a trip to see Jessica's grandmother in Los Angeles. Sara, her older sister, is super excited to meet the big teen pop star of the moment, Christopher Wilde. Jessica disapproves of her sister's behavior and thinks Christopher is not as special as he appears on camera. In Los Angeles, Christopher is asked to star in a new movie. He doesn't want many relationships, and the ones he does have are superficial. Christopher attends his "girlfriend" - Alexis Bender's birthday party.

A completely clueless film, first of all the protagonist is a hell of a sister's eye, knowing that her sister was in love with the guy, hid that she met him, although natural it was forced, and apart from the journalists' relationship with the characters, stereotyped, and completely undervalued, and disrespected, all a bit disgusting, cute and disgusting... Only the soundtrack saves...

I love this movie.

[american-beauty60 · 10/10 · 19 February 2011]

Honestly, the best DCOM since very long time. It has everything.. comedy, romance, music. All the qualities that make a movie a perfect one for me.

I love how Disney movies are all sweat and really descent for kids and teens. I always love to watch them. Camp Rock movies are great too.

This one has really some amazing songs. They were very heartwarming too.

Sterling Knight is such a rising star. I adore him very much. He is quite talented. I esp. love him in SWAC.

Danielle Campbell is a very pretty actress. She played her role well witch I guess was not easy for a girl her age.

Overall, this movie was a real pleasure to watch. I really really wish they make a 2nd one.

Didn't made me starstruck

[StartingAllOver14 · 3/10 · 10 April 2010]

You shouldn't expect terms as «Labor of Love» or «creative enjoyment» being relevant descriptions of the current Disney Channel movies, especially in their current way of milking out their stars (the «High School Musical» flicks are relevant examples of that). Fortunately, some of the DC films have turned out to be actually quite passable, like «Princess Protection Programme», «Jump In» and «Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie» (although this is embarrassing to admit, but I genuinely enjoyed «Camp Rock» and felt it was put a little bit of heart and soul into the story). Unfortunately, the same can't be said about their latest effort, «StarStruck», which is a lifeless and soulless attempt of a TV movie.

First of all, both the plot and the movie it self are completely shallow, pedestrian and clichéd. It could least been worked with some finesse, but «StarStruck» is completely dull and unoriginal. There are absolutely no inventive or clever twists in its predictable and worn-out story, which by the way has a few plot holes and drowns it self into sentimentality during the third act. Or you could simply just called this flick «Hannah Montana The Movie» with a male pop star.

None of the acting is noteworthy, with the exception of Sterling Knight. Not that he delivers a profound role, but the consideration that he's played an anonymous loner in «17 Again» and the self-absorbed Chad Dylan Cooper in «Sonny With A Chance» proves that this guy has acting potential. Sterling Knight plays the pop star Christopher Wilde in this one and gives the character both charm and spunk. The girl lead, Danielle Campbell, is extremely cute, but has been given a rather thankless role. Some of the IMDb-users have proclaimed her as annoying. Well, that isn't a coincidence, since the screenwriters haven't given her character substance nor depth. But it's not her fault, though. She and Sterling has a bit of chemistry, but she constantly gets out shined by him. She does however pull out some emotional moments well, but overall portrays Jessica as a flat character without substance or personality. Now I'm just wondering if Disney is going to promote her as the next Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus or Selena Gomez.

Maggie Castle as Jessica's sister Sara, who's obsessed with Christopher Wilde, is extremely annoying and shallow in her part. It's also a pity that the likable and charismatic Chelsea Stub (Stella in «JONAS») has been given a thankless role.

And there's the music of this movie. Since this is another pop star concept, there's ought to be some songs and of course some really mainstream ones, too. But while «High School Musical», «Camp Rock» and «Hannah Montana» at least had some catchy and hummable songs, the soundtrack of «StarStruck» is mainstream, bland and uninspiring, just as the movie itself. The only passable song is the rap tune «Party Up», performed by Brandon Smith (Nico in «Sonny With a Chance»).

Overall, if you're looking for a good DC movie, look everywhere besides «StarStruck», which is an uninspired and soulless money-attempt from Disney.

Entertaining with some uninteresting characters

[TheAE · 6 December 2012]

I was trying to find another Geek Charming-esque movie to enjoy, but this one wasn't nearly as fun. The main characters seemed lifeless, and that's mostly due to the writing.

Jessica, the protagonist, is always moping around because her sister is said to be more popular and beautiful, while in reality Jessica is undoubtedly the prettiest girl in the movie. The conclusion was predictably sappy. However, I paused the movie halfway through, and later I was interested enough to finish it.

It gets a solid B-.

Geek Charming was better.

Aimless review right on point

[jonathanrspalding · 5/10 · 15 February 2010]

As an adult who has to watch Disney movies because of kids and frankly does not enjoy a lot of what is now I TV I kind of look forward to new Disney movies. Understanding I am not the prime audience I take them with a grain of salt.

Saying that I have to say Aimless in KY's review was right on for this movie. Like a lot of DCOM movies it is has some good points but usually has some holes in the plot lines and the scenarios and dialogue could be tightened. Usually it can be overlooked but not so much in this one. I was actually expecting more because I think Chelsea Staub and Sterling Knight are two of the best actors in the Disney stable. Ms. Staub's role was very minor for the story and any body could have played it. In fact I think it would have been a great movie if she had played the female lead opposite Sterling Knight's character. Mr. Knight was great in the movie and carried it on his shoulders.

As an aside, while adult roles are usually not pivotal in DCOM's but they are usually solid with pretty good acting. In this movie the roles were wooden and the acting as well.

In summary while not a bad movie there will be no Starstuck II. Like a lot of DCOM's you think it could have been so much better without much effort at all. Hopefully DC will give Mr. Knight a movie commiserate with his talents.

I admit it, I was quite star struck by this movie!

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 15 March 2011]

StarStruck is not the best movie I have ever seen, but I was really surprised at how much I liked it. I will be honest, I was actually expecting it to not be very good from what I saw of the trailer. I was expecting bad acting, predictable story ideas, forgettable songs, terrible dialogue and mediocre filming which was what I disliked most about the High School Musical franchise and the Hannah Montana movie.

So I was really surprised that even with the flaws StarStruck I was quite taken with. As I've said, the film isn't perfect as it is too short and some of the dialogue doesn't convince and comes across as cheesy. That said, while the story is recycled and somewhat predictable in a sense, it is also heart-warming and sweet. I also liked how StarStruck was filmed, the editing was quick and efficient without being slip-shod and the lighting, sets and costumes are very pleasing to the eye.

The songs also surprised me and in a good way too. They weren't forgettable or distracting, instead they were tuneful with cute melodies and quite meaningful lyrics. I also loved the film's feel-good style, assured direction and slick pacing. The acting is nothing groundbreaking, but it is quite good all the same. Sterling Knight and Danielle Campbell are very likable and they share a comfortable chemistry. Chelsea Staub is decent enough, if not quite delving into her character, a little more bitchiness would've been nice.

All in all, a refreshingly decent movie without being groundbreaking, then again it didn't need to be and it didn't try to be either. What it tried to be was a tuneful, sweet and likable film with assured acting and style and good songs and it succeeded, looking at the trailer I wouldn't have thought I would have said that about StarStruck. 8/10 Bethany Cox

SWEET sweet sweet MOVIE!!!!!!

[stevemasonforever · 10/10 · 20 February 2011]

I love this movie like a lot. A real descent DCOM which sends great message to kids and teens esp. those who seem to be obsessed with celebrities so much that they treat them if they were angels or something!!!! I am a 20 years old guy who is not supposed to be fan of such movies but.... this one has really impressed me with its catchy song, funny moments and other cute romantic moments.... it was almost perfect.

I hate HSM movies by the way. They have nothing special except for the songs off course.... they were good but.... the story lines of these musical series were pretty lame and not interesting.

This one is a real exception. It is not like the best movie I ever seen but.... it is on my best movies list. Thanks Disney.

I loved this movie :)

[mprcperry-205-947816 · 5 November 2011]

Seriously, I loved this movie. It was cute and sweet. It created a nice mood. After I watched it, I wanted to see it again.

It reminded me of "10 things I hate about you". I love all "Taming of the Shrew" re-makes. I thought it was kind of funny that the non-famous girl is the biggest brat and has the most temper tantrums. If you like this type of movies, you should give this one a chance. It's fun and entertaining. What else can you really ask of one of these movies, right?

(I might like better music, but even that could be worse. I also wondered where that mud-puddle in the middle of the desert came from, but whatever)

My point is that "Starstruck" doesn't tell a new story, but it's one that I always enjoy in all its incarnations.

Great family movie

[emmajaneedwards · 9/10 · 27 November 2020]

Love the movie and the character development. Watch it with my kids and my girls love it as much as me.

Great Beat and Uplifting Entertainment

[tabuno · 8/10 · 12 January 2019]

7 October 2016. Yes, this movie is predictable, the storyline nothing special that hasn't already been done before. Yet, the music is really sharp, crisp, and engrossingly fun and hip. The performances are subtly different and more natural and easy-going without overly drama. This Disney Version of the famous pop star accidentally meets unknown, plain girl is done in an appealing and straightforward, honest way that doesn't depend on anything more than a good music track, sung well, and performances and chemistry which are entertaining and smartly done. Other fun movies include I'll Be There (2003), A Royal Night Out (2015), Roman Holiday (1953), Music and Lyrics (2007), Pride and Prejudice (2005), The Artist (2011), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Good Morning Call (2016),

Wild for Wilde

[Kwlkatboz · 18 November 2019]

Christopher Wilde is the prince of 2010 Disney (directly after Troy Bolton). Something about the sunshine paved the way for music as we know it. Songs that follows in SATS footsteps were, Shades, Hero and Starstruck. Iconic classics.

Cute

[brookenichole-98054 · 8/10 · 24 April 2020]

StarStruck isn't the best Disney movie but it's enjoyable and cute. The songs are catchy and not that bad. Except for the last song of the movie that just repeats the lyrics over and over. The acting can get rough at some points but it's otherwise really good. The banter between the two leads is fun. Sterling Knight steals the show as Christopher Wilde. The story is fun and fresh for the time it came out and always brings nostalgia for me. But the only problem I had with it was the couple not kissing at the end, when they clearly should have. They built up their relationship for them not to kiss was a bad choice. Overall this movie is great and always brings a smile to my face.

Amazing film I love it.

[jerrymccarthy-19909 · 10/10 · 22 June 2021]

I love this movie the storyline and the great acting of Sterling Knight & Danielle Campbell . I think it's a must watch Disney channel film that children and families would enjoy watching and you won't get bored of the film and make you want to sing along to the songs.

Love this!

[AnnaPagrati · 10/10 · 30 August 2021]

One of the most beautiful & nostalgic movies for me!

It's all about Danielle Campbell

[jgeee · 10/10 · 30 January 2022]

Although she appeared in StarStruck, she never sang in that film. This is why she didn't do so because of her not interested in singing. She never been to any musicals, nor plays. The only time she can sing is in her real life.

Great DCOM

[chloebetts · 8/10 · 3 August 2021]

This movie is so cheesy but I love it. Exactly what you would expect from a Disney movie. Also great songs.