Cadet Kelly

Rating G Formats DVD Genre children Starring Hilary Duff, Christy Carlson Ramono Directed by Larry Shaw Publisher Buena Vista Home External Links Official Site

Hilary Duff stars in this 2002 Disney Channel Original Movie as Kelly Collins, a free-spirited artistic teen with a flair for fashion accessories. When her mom decides to remarry, her whole world turns upside-down. Not only will Kelly have to leave her home and friends, she also discovers that she will be attending the George Washington Military Academy. Immediately upon arrival, Kelly struggles with conforming to the uniformity and rigid structure of her new school. This transition proves to be quite a task for Kelly and she makes a quick enemy of Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone. In the end, Kelly finds a way to follow the rules and be a team player without compromising her own individuality.

If you are not a Hilary Duff fan, this film will by no means change your opinion. The storyline is simply too predictable and sugar coated for most viewers taste. However, this DVD is perfect for the pre-teen audience. Young viewers will certainly relate to the embarrassing situations that Kelly seems to get herself into as well as the topics of divorce, making new friends, going to a new school, and finding your place that are intertwined within the plot. While Duff's performance may be too perky for adults, she does offer a positive role model for the target audience.

The DVD Extras definitely add to the movie's appeal for the younger viewers. "Learning the Drills" is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the making of Cadet Kelly. It shows the process the actors had to go through to learn the military lifestyle that they portray in the movie. In the "Drill Team Challenge," players must successfully complete a variety of military tasks seen in the movie. It can be played with a partner or small group of friends. Family member might even want to be included in this inventive game. "Boot Camp" is a party planner that can be used to throw your own Cadet Kelly party. It includes a guide for setting up, invitations to mail, recipes, and games. While it is hard to imagine girls of this age being interested in a military themed party, the activities and recipes are both age appropriate and creative.