Remember back in August of 2007, when Disney aired the long anticipated High School Musical 2 at the END of summer!? Really, though: a film, all based around the idea of summer vacation, second chances, and fun with friends gets an air date that takes place just TWO WEEKS before school starts?! That was so fucked up…
I just thought I would reminisce. You see, for most of us who now age between 19-33 (ish), we remember the golden era of the Disney Channel. With shows like That’s So Raven, Even Stevens,Boy Meets World, and Lizzie McGuire running the airwaves, we held in our hands precious after school entertainment that not only gave us family dynamics that we could relate to, but also taught us lessons in friendship, education, and the overall teenage experience that haunts nearly all who stare it in the eye.
As good as these television shows were in both content and quality (or maybe they were crap, and I have nostalgia blinders on), the Disney Channel original movies shared perhaps an even larger impact on my learning curve. As a child, I had to empathize in order to learn any sort of lesson. I couldn’t fathom the idea of being poor unless I went a month without any allowance. I was oblivious to the struggles of anyone who lacked confidence, until I was put on a soccer field for the first time, ignorant of the skills it really required. Through these films, I was fully able to comprehend family values, individualism, and even to a degree the issue of diversity in my own classroom. These films were strong for the viewing audience Disney was reaching out to, and held firm beliefs in not only entertaining, but teaching in the process.
Now, before we get to my top ten Disney channel original films of all time, here are a few honorable mentions. First off, Alley Cats Strike. Sure, a film about bowling and the school social system is a good idea on paper, but… Well… Ehh… Did it even sound interesting on paper? I’m taking this off the list! Next, Cadet Kelly, a film that taught us that confidence can be found within any challenge life throws at us. Also, I’d like to tip my hat to Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam; Following the original Camp Rock, which was crap, the sequel provided exciting content and new music which elevated the franchises status into “sorta crap”. The Cheetah Girls provided some fun, and Under Wraps was perhaps even more fun! As hinted above, The Color of Friendship was perhaps the Disney channels most important film, teaching the harsh truths of racism at what felt like an earlier age than perhaps our parents may have wanted us to learn by. Lastly, and to some shockingly, High School Musical. Sure, it was the start of something new, and even sort of enjoyable, but let’s be real, even at the appropriate age it was cheesy as hell! Not to mention it gave us the career of Corbin Bleu…
So, without any further delays, here is my top ten Disney Channel Original Movies of all-time!
10. Double Teamed
As a basketball fan, this true story about two tall twins, raised in poverty, found a way to not only convince me of, at a young age mind you, the real competitiveness behind female sports, but as well provided an interesting take on sibling development during high school, a difficult period most of us go through. While never being a twin myself, I can only imagine the struggle of being your own person during a time where individualism is perhaps the most difficult struggle; All being when that similarity between yourself and another is with somebody you love. Plus, that chili on toast Christmas eve dinner scene was ideal stoner food magazine material.
9. Smart House
Ryan Merriman, making his first appearance on my list (spoiler alert), finds himself in a situation where his house can think, act, speak, and obey disobey orders… This film, while simple in scale, provided the lesson that while some things can me accomplished through technology, it is the hard work and courage that we put forth that provides the strongest results. Besides, that Slam Dunk Funk scene is worth the price of admission alone. “Kick butt video screens”! Hahaha.
8. Zenon
“Zetus lupetus, she’s back!” That tagline alone gave the franchises fan base enough promise to purchase their tickets, pack their bags, and get on board with this inter galactic sequel zequel. What the first installment failed to address, the sequel zequel included. Elements of this were more screen time for space superstar Protozoa, a deeper conflict for our heroes, and the idea of using extra-terrestrial! As well, for a t.v Disney movie, the film's score was excellent! The music was able to enhance the emotions given to us by the actors, allowing awe, and wonder to take over the viewing audience.
7. Halloweentown
This might just be a case of home cooking (shout out to Oregon!), but I find this whimsical comedy to be genuine, charming, and an overall fun Halloween film, as well as a viewing tradition, which still takes place in my family circle to this day. What I most appreciated was Disney taking the practical effects approach, leaving costume and makeup design to highlight the creatures and spirit of this imaginary town. Offering the realties behind the strengths of family and unity, the film teaches us that magic, while fun, is not the strongest form of power out there, but rather love. Cliché Jimmy, I know.
6. The Thirteenth Year
“Cody’s not just growing up.. He’s growing fins!” Another strong tagline from a powerful Disney channel original film, offering us advice for that time in our life where we all become something we didn’t expect to. While Zoolander perhaps handled the merman stereotype more appropriately, The Thirteenth Year gave audiences reason to believe that whatever changes one might be going through, you can never doubt your own abilities to overcome adversity, and find a way of accepting who you were born to become. For some its a doctor, or a chef; For Cody, it’s a mermaid! Minor technicality, but the lessons remain the same.
5. Phantom of the Megaplex
An ode to old Hollywood, and a fun wink to classic “who done it” films, this enjoyable family adventure tells the story of a movie theatre phantom, who is sabotaging the theatre on a night when they are preparing to host a major theatrical premiere. All being a children’s film, where the big reveal is ANYTHING but a surprise, there is still a lot of fun to be had in Phantom of the Megaplex. From the dynamic cast of the theatre employees, to the magical scenes of with late great Mickey Rooney, this film offers moments of suspense, surprise, and a feeling of never quite knowing who our heroes can trust…
4. The Luck of the Irish
A classic, there is no undermining that. This movie still manages to find air space every March, in a time where Disney seems to be hiding all of their old classics from the new generation of kids. Again, a common theme of these movies is “accepting who you are”, and this film does it better than any other Disney channel original film. From all the Irish stereotypes, to the black kid who is poor at basketball and eats potato chips for lunch, to the native American student (she might have been Indian/Hispanic) who is the perfect student, this movie seemed to gets it’s prejudices all mixed up. However, Maybe they just had to demonstrate that what you think you are, is not really who you are, but I doubt it. Making this a holiday related film is a stroke of brilliance as far as marketing goes, because the film is guaranteed to play at least one day every year!
3. Johnny Tsunami
Sam Sterling might be the coolest cat (aside from Troy Bolton) to ever grace the screen of one of these movies! That handshake, though…
Johnny Tsunami was legit. The concept of being incredible at one thing, and poor at another, even though they both share similarities inspired me to appreciate the skills you do have, and the commitment it takes to learn another. I’m not about to go into major Eastside versus Westside this film incorporates into it’s plot… Because it’s just ridiculous. I love how, in ALL mountain movies, the skiers are always the prep snobs, and the snowboarders are always the free spirited renegades. It’s redundant, and overplayed. However, because this is only a Disney channel film, I am able to look past the clichés, and accept it for the thrilling sports film it is, that also cherishes the trust we have in our family and friends. This has a very high “re-watch ability” factor.
2. High School Musical 2
Following the surprise success of the first film, this follow up had expectations that were almost unrealistic for a small television movie. I remember when Disney was hyping this film in January of 2007, a full eight months before it’s air date! However, It had music, it had dancing, and most importantly… It had Troy and Gabriella. First jobs can be difficult, and so can relationships. Even harder? College looming, and the expectations we set on ourselves to not only please ourselves, but those around us as well. This movie took a big step up in maturity (minus that stupid sprinkler scene), and found a way to take Disney’s golden franchise into the next level. So successful, in fact, that the third installment found it’s way into a theatrical release, leaving the franchise to cap off on the highest note possible; And it’s all because of the step the second film took from it’s predecessor. Besides, who doesn’t love “Bet on It”?!
1. Brink!
This Erik Von Detten guy was totally stoned during the duration of this movie… I mean, he had to be! Right? Brink was an adrenaline rush as a teenager, and it left me not only wanting to own my own pair of skates, but line up with sponsors as well. I wanted to be Brink! Even more so than Troy Bolton (Gasp)! That special comradery between friends that elevates the best out each other, alongside the love Brink has for his family that forces him to join up with, dare I say it, Team X-Blades gives this title lead so much depth and emotion for a simple t.v Disney character, that it’s almost weird to think that a movie centered around skating was actually a character study. This movie was probably a fluke, leaving Disney to ponder the process, and ask themselves… “How do we do that again?!” Brink was an accidental classic; However, this coming of age story was strong, sturdy, and daring, allowing the characters to be human, and share experiences with each other that surrounds our every day life. Rather than being ok with who you are, this movie preaches with accepting that, and elevating it to the next level. I’d like to think that we are all member of team Pup N’ Suds!
