Cadet Kelly (2002)

Too Cool For The Rules!
Synopsis | DVD | Review

Directed by: Larry Shaw

Cast

Hilary Duff	Cadet Kelly Collins
Christy Carlson Romano	Cadet Captain Jennifer Stone (as Christy Romano)
Gary Cole	General 'Sir' Joe Maxwell
Shawn Ashmore	Cadet Major Brad Rigby
Aimee Garcia	Cadet Sergeant Gloria Ramos
Linda Kash	Samantha Collins Maxwell
Nigel Hamer	Adam Collins
Sarah Gadon	Amanda
Andrea Lewis	Cadet Carla Hall
Joe Matheson	General Archer
Beverlee Buzon	Cadet Grace Carson
Dalene Irvine	Marla
Avery Saltzman	Kevin
Christopher Tai	Senior Cadet Officer
Josh Wittig	Cadet Bugler

Synopsis

The plot of the movie concerns Kelly, a hyperactive high school girl whose mother is dating the Commandant of a military school. The stepfather decides Kelly needs some discipline in her life, and her mother agrees, so she goes to the military school. Kelly at first has trouble fitting in, but gradually she improves and even helps the school win second place at a drill competition. Cadet Kelly was released on DVD on June 28, 2005.

Trivia
A sequel, Cadet Kelly 2 is to be released in 2008.

Cadet Kelly is a Disney Channel movie about a teenage girl being sent to military school. It debuted on March 8, 2002.

User Comments
5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
This flick deserves a second look, 29 December 2002

Review

The film "Cadet Kelly" is one of those movies you tend to forget, unless you view it at least a second time. However, each time you view it, its value becomes more obvious.

The movie has four things going for it. First, Hilary Duff does an outstanding job in the character of Kelly. She is in nearly every scene, and her delivery of lines and expressions is priceless. It's difficult to believe she was only 14, because she has the natural ability to behave rather than to act in a role.

Second, the rest of the cast. Each one contributes to the overall effect led by Christy Romano as the mean Captain Stone. And Kelly hugs or is hugged by each character except the "perfect" Brad Rigby somewhere during the course of the film. How can those natural signs of affection do anything but made viewers love the character of Kelly?

Third, the script and story line. For what undoubtedly began as a typical Disney original film for tweens turned into a flick for the entire family. Many of the lines are over the heads of kids. "Accessories are a girl's best friend," "wear 'em if you've got it," and other gags give adults a chance to laugh. The editing is super and camera angles are carefully chosen, although for some reason, the camera seems unsteady at times.

Fourth, the soundtrack including music and sound effects is one of the best I've observed. Those responsible should be commented for a superior presentation. Not only is the military mood and tone consistent, it really makes this movie. I watched the rough editing version, and without the superb sound effects and music, this film would have been just another dismal kiddie effort. To fully appreciate the soundtrack, you must close your eyes and picture what is going on.

To me the scene where Kelly cuts Jennifer off from Brad is indicative of all of the above qualities and one of the funniest 20 seconds in the movie.

Perhaps the most poignant scene is the 15-seconds when Kelly has her revelation upon seeing her drill team uniform and realizing she is still an individual although a part of something largest than herself.

There are so many subtle qualities that you could spend hours discussing the superiority of "Cadet Kelly."

For all of inaccurate military "stuff," this is still one heck of a great movie.

DVD

Genre: Comedy / Family (more)

User Comments: This flick deserves a second look

Runtime: 101 min
Country: USA / Canada
Language: English
Color: Color
Sound Mix: Stereo
Certification: Australia:G / UK:U

Goofs
Factual errors: There are numerous errors in Sir's uniform.

Quotes
Kelly Collins: [narrating] Since this is my first autobiography, I might not have gotten everything right, but the events are true, the feelings are genuine, and my memoirs are finished. But, I might've forgotten what everyone was wearing.