Review by Dennis A. Amith (kndy)
Rating:
In 2008, “Camp Rock” had its premiere on the Disney Channel and at the time, it became the second highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie behind “High School Musical 2 and bringing in 8.9 million viewers.

The movie featured the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato and the film would catapult the acting and singing careers of both the band and Lovato who would go on to have their own Disney Channel show and for Lovato, would establish herself as a pop star.

Needless to say, with the success of the first film, there was no doubt that there would be a sequel and sure enough, in 2010, “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” would air on the Disney Channel on Labor Day weekend and a few days later, would be released on Blu-ray and DVD. The film is directed by Paul Hoen (“Jonas”, “Beyond the Break”, “South of Nowhere”) and features a screenplay by Daniel Berendsen (“Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie”, “The Cheetah Girls: One World”, “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”), Karen Gist (“One Tree Hill”, “Girlfriends”, “Camp Rock”) and Regina Y. Hicks (“Camp Rock”, “Girlfriends”, “Sister, Sister”).

“Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” features the extended version of the film which includes never-before-seen songs and scenes for “Different Summers” and “Waking in My Shoes”.

VIDEO:

“Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1). Because the majority of the film is shot outdoors, the film looks vibrant and colorful in HD. Especially during the performances at the Camp Star stage. Cinematographer David A Makin (“Drop Dead Diva”, “Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie”) did a good job in capturing the overall performance area. The lighting was very well done during these performances and looks great in HD.

The accompany DVD is presented in widescreen (1:78:1) – enhanced for 16×9 television.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (48 kHz/24-bit), French 5.1 DTS Digital Surround Sound and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital. Dialogue and music is crisp and clear through the center and front channels and there was a good amount of crowd ambiance coming through the surround channels. Actually, the lossless soundtrack really takes advantage of the surround channels for this musical. I was expecting more of a front and center channel driven soundtrack, so I was amazed to hear the surround channels utilized.

I actually dig the musical soundtrack for this film compared to the last film. It’s all subjective to the listener but I enjoyed the addition of the pop R&B performances and a good balance of music this time around.

The accompanying DVD features a soundtrack in English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital.

As for subtitles, the film is presented in English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” comes with the following special features (in 1080p HD and standard definition and presented in English 5.1 Dolby Digital):

* Rock-Along – While watching the film, you can watch “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam” via “Rock-Along” in which you can sing along with the tunes (karaoke style titles for the lyrics are shown at the bottom of the screen).

* Music Videos from Camp Rockers Around the World – Watch music videos of performances for “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam” in other countries which include France (3:03, Lea Castel – N’abandone pas (Can’t Back Down), Spain (2:47, Lucia Gil – Tu ere mi cancion), Benelux (3:25, Dean en Sita – I Wouldn’t Change a Thing), Germany (3:31) and Italy (3:36, FINLEY – Per la vita che verra’). Presented in standard definition.

* Getting to Know the Camp Stars – (5:44) Alyson Stoner interviews Matthew “Mdot” Finley and Chloe Bridges about how they got the part and what they did in their audition. Also, their experience on filming “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam”.

* Disney Live – Download the latest trailers for upcoming Disney films or learn what is out on Disney Blu-ray.

EXTRAS:

This version of “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” comes with a slipcase cover and also comes with a DVD and digital copy of the feature film.

JUDGMENT CALL:

An awesome, fun and energetic sequel!

“Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” is another enjoyable musical from Disney that stays true to the tradition of the original movie (and other Disney musicals) featuring kids having fun, singing, dancing and of course, you also get some of that camp drama as well.

What I enjoyed about the film is that remains consistent to the first but also improves upon the original. Since 2008 with “Camp Rock”, both Demi Lovato and the members of the Jonas Brothers have improved vocally as pop stars. When I first watched Demi Lovato, her vocals worked with her character since she was not as established yet as an actress nor as a singer but now, watching her in “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam”, you can see the confidence. Also, I like the pop/R&B addition of Mathew “Mdot” Finley. This guy has star potential and definitely brings another dimension to the “Camp Rock” music soundtrack.

I also enjoyed the choreography for the sequel. You have awesome choreographers Rosero McCoy (“Shake It Up!”, “Step Up”) and Chuck Maldonado (“Stomp the Yard” films) really taking the dancing to a new level with this sequel and in fact, when I started to see some stepping during the film, the first thing that came to my mind was “Chuck Maldonado” must be involved with this film and sure enough he was.

A major highlight of the film was the performance by everyone as they were singing the song “It’s On”. It’s a very cool song that incorporates everyone into that musical scene and was similar to the “High School Musical” style of choreography of taking many people and having fun with the choreography but making it slick and cool and having an awesome song behind it. It was great to see everyone so involved and even seeing the main and supporting characters really going all out in the choreography. I was impressed.

The pop tracks “Fire” and “Walkin’ In My Shoes” were also pretty cool and it was good to see Meaghan Martin and Matthew “Mdot” Finley performing together. I thought the scene with Nate (Nick Jonas) singing to Dana (Chloe Bridges) was pretty charming and fun as Nate is a shy guy but he best communicates through his music.

And of course, for Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato fans, there are plenty of cool songs in this film especially with “Wouldn’t Change a Thing” by Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato as a song that is a solid ballad and awesome follow up to their 2008 “Camp Rock” hit “This Is Me”.

Now which film did I enjoy the most? I have to say that I enjoyed the first film for its storyline. Mainly for the fact that Mitchie was an underdog and I enjoy films in which the underdog proves that she can be the best. I enjoyed that about “Camp Rock” and Demi Lovato’s inexperience really helped make her stand out. We hardly knew anything about her then and when we saw her sing, we knew she had star potential. This time around, we have seen Demi emerge as an actress and singer and the same goes for the Jonas Brothers who have matured as well. But when it comes to the music and choreography, “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam” was much better than the original. The songs are catchy, well-produced and the choreography, as mentioned, is much, much better than the original.

As for the Blu-ray release, “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” does come with the Blu-ray, DVD and a digital copy of the film. But also, for fans who did enjoy the sequel, the extended version does have the never-before-seen scenes and songs for “Different Summers” and “Walking in My Shoes”.

Although, not a release that comes with a lot of special features and unfortunately no audio commentary or featurettes (would have loved to see the making of or even the training that went into creating the film), it’s still a solid release for fans of the film, Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers or those who enjoy Disney musicals. Picture and audio quality is solid and I think that fans will love this extended edition Blu-ray release.

Overall, “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam: Extended Edition” is another entertaining musical following the success of the original “Camp Rock” but also improves the film with its music soundtrack and choreography. If you loved watching “Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam” on the Disney Channel, then you’ll definitely want to pick up the extended version of the film!

Review by Srinivas Chavala
Rating:
I seen this movie on tv and dvd. This movie is excellent, I really loved this movie excellent characters, great plot and great ending. They also has great music in this movie, the song I couldn’t get out of my head, This is our song, is my favorite. We don’t know how well the soundtrack will do, good luck. Demi Lovato character did an amazing job in this movie, her character Mitchie was leading a revolution to save Camp Rock and she succeded. She was like Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women’s right to vote and Harriet Tubman who fought to end slavery. The Jonas Brother are really cool, Joe Jonas character Shane used to be an arrogant jerk, when she started datie Mitchie. He changed a lot, became a nice guy and a slacker. This time they include and Kevin and Nick in the show. Nick Jonas has a love interest in the movie Chloe Bridges. Everyone knows who Chloe Bridges is, she played Freddie Prinze’s Jr Niece on Freddie. Freddie was a spin off of George Lopez Show. Nick and Chloe characters are like Romeo and Juliet, two rival camps fighting camps against each other, it sounds like a shakespeare play. Newcomer Chloe Bridges from the disney world has the greatest resemblance of Jacqueline Obradors, the lady who played her mother on Freddie and Demi Lovato. Demi Lovato has the greatest resemblance of The House Bunny Emma Stone and Mission Impossilbe III Michelle Monaghan. She came along from this movie that started at all that made her superstar. Every one knows as Charlotte Adams from As the Bell rings a short segement on disney, from Sonny Monroe at Sonny with a chance and Rosie Gonzalez from Princess Protection Program and two cd’s that made her famous and superstardom. Nick Jonas looks like Wizards of Waverly Place David Henrie and Joe Jonas has the greatest resemblance of Taylor Lautner. Joe Jonas is the like teen heartthrob of this movie. Good luck watching this movie, I watched it was amazing.

Review by Alexander M. Walker
Rating:
The unrelenting strength with which Disney markets its rising tween stars has the magical ability to awe and horrify all at once. The awe stems from the unmatched capacity for creating vehicles specifically tailored to promote their Disney-branded youth simultaneously in the film and record industry. No one else does it like them. The films aren’t any good, a fact seemingly dictated by some unwritten rule, but they do well enough to snag the attentions of every adolescent and tweenage girl in North America and beyond as well as their parents. It’s harmless fun and it encourages people to believe in themselves and follow their dreams – what’s not to support? That’s the benefit of this current string of Disney musicals pouring out Mickey Mouse’s run-off pipe, but what makes it so horrifying is the lack of effort and the blinding simplicity of the writing. It’s one thing to write a script aimed at a younger audience, but it’s another issue entirely when you dumb it down to such a level that even the characters bemoan their slavery to plot devices so contrived and tired as these. The original Camp Rock didn’t have this horrific aspect, but the sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, desperate in its attempt to make it through another 90 minutes with nothing but a few peppy songs to push it along, plays out like Saw put to music: the characters are trapped in a sinister machination of writers Dan Berendsen and Karen Gist & Regina Hicks, who seem more than willing to leave Disney’s stable of growing rock stars capitulating to a camp rivalry plot whose ending is revealed in the first 10 minutes, with the youthful, angst-filled songs substituting in for Saw’s typical screams.

After last summer, Mitchie (Demi Lovato) can’t wait to get back to camp and see all her friends and reunite with her crush with whom she has been exchanging emails all school year, Shane (Joe Jonas). Shane and his two bandmates Nate (Nick Jonas) and Jason (Kevin Jonas) arrive just in time for the big all-camp musical number culminating in a “Welcome to Camp” presentation by owner/manager Brown (Daniel Fathers). Just as the campers and counselors are about to break from the welcome, two speedboats on the lake launch baskets attached to parachutes with snacks and an invitation to party with the brand new, competing camp/resort across the lake, opened by Axel Turner (Daniel Kash) a former musical partner of Brown’s. It turns out, just like Brown’s protests to the invitation warned, that the invite was nothing but a ruse to get campers over to the new facility to see how luxurious it is and convince them to abandon the more gung-ho, rustic setting of Camp Rock that night. A few campers and lots of staff (except for the main characters played by Disney’s chosen ones) jump on the bandwagon, leaving Camp Rock minimally staffed by Mitchie and the guys, who were originally just there to be cool and act like clowns. Now they’re doing it as staff. Who saw that coming? Really though, that’s not the biggest kick in the teeth, because when you see the huge, concert arena set piece they constructed to serve as the other camp’s lure, you know, without question that there’s going to be a showdown there at the end of the film, perhaps even a “final jam” as the title suggests. You’ll notice how this take on “final jam” allows them to use this title but still have a sequel if they’re so inclined.

What’s maddening about the whole affair isn’t the vacuous hole where a plot should be, or the break every 10 minutes for a Disney star music video, but rather how everyone in the story knows that that’s all this is: a series of music videos set in a woodsy setting. The message of flash versus substance is worthwhile, but the film’s attempt to address it is really just lip service at best; a frame that makes it convenient so sell some Demi Lovato CDs down the road. The element of the movie that stands out is a lack of shame in the writing; the idea that the characters are inextricably bound to a story whose paper-thin qualities even they protest. Brown knows exactly what the invitation to the other camp is all about, he protests going over, and as the person in charge could have prevented it swiftly. But he bows to the fates written out for him for no other reason than it will set up a rivalry which already existed in that it was another rock camp built directly across a river from theirs. The opening confrontation isn’t setup, it’s wielding plot devices like a blunt object and bludgeoning the audience until they submit to a movie about rival rock camps in the most obvious way.

Blu-ray Bonus Features

The combo pack features a copy of the movie on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copy – though only the version on Blu-ray has unique extras (both the Blu-ray and DVD feature the “Rock Along” feature which is essentially a sing-along prompt with a bouncing ball). The Blu-ray exclusives include user-generated content (music videos) from fans of the film from around the world, and an intro piece to help you get acquainted with the new characters in the movie. As an “extended edition” of the film, it features two songs not previously seen in the film’s release, “Different Summers” and “Walking in My Shoes”.