Writers: Danny Kallis, Jim Geoghan, Adam I. Lapidus, Jeny Quine, Howard Nemetz, Pamela Eells, Dan Signer, Jeff Hodsden, Tim Pollock
Directors: Richard Correll, Lex Passaris, Jim Drake, Kelly Sandefur, Danny Kallis
Cast: Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Phill Lewis, Kim Rhodes, Brenda Song, Ashley Tisdale, Adrian R’Mante
Rating: G
Studio: Walt Disney
Release Date: June 17, 2008

I’ve been watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody since it started airing on the Disney Channel. It’s one of my 13 year old son’s favorite shows. Of all the Disney Channel shows, next to That’s so Raven, The Suite Life is the funniest. It’s hard to argue with a show that stars twins, Dylan and Cole Sprouse. The two have been entertaining audiences with their excellent comedic timing since starring as Julian “Frankenstein” in the Adam Sandler comedy, Big Daddy.

The thing I like about The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is that it’s funny enough to let your kids watch, without worrying about overly tasteless humor and yet it is entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. I just can’t get into some of the other shows, like Hannah Montana. However, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is one show the entire family can enjoy. If we’re flipping channels and see the show is on, Suite Life is one of those shows we’ll turn on just because it’s a guaranteed winner that everyone in the family won’t mind watching.

Release Information:
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody first aired on the Disney Channel in 2005. The series is in its third and (presumed) final season. There is a spin-off series, The Suite Life on Deck, which is currently being filmed and stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse as well as Brenda Song (London) and Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby). The first season aired from March 18, 2005 to January 27, 2006. The second season aired from February 3, 2006 to June 2, 2007. The third season, which contains all of the episodes from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain, started airing on June 23, 2007. Due to the writer’s strike, the show is still airing the third season and plans to end it sometime in August of 2008.

Disney has released the DVD The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain. This DVD features four episodes from the third season. These episodes have all previously aired on the Disney Channel. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain was released on June 17, 2008. The DVD can be purchased at all your favorite places to buy DVDs. At Amazon, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is available for $14.99.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain Plot
Featuring four episodes of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody this DVD has some of the funniest episodes of the third season. This includes the title episode, “Lip Synchin’ in the Rain”. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is the third volume of Zack and Cody DVDs that Disney has released. The first two are The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Taking over the Tipton and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Sweet Suite Victory.

Here is a listing of the four episodes included on this DVD as well as a description of each episode:

“The Arwin that came to Dinner” - When Arwin’s mom moves away with her new husband, Arwin gets her apartment. However, he can’t seem to function at work because he’s miserable without her. When Cody and Zack invite Arwin to dinner at their house and to sleep over, he decides he’ll find a way to sleep over indefinitely. When Zack and Cody can’t sleep because Arwin’s annoying, they set out to turn the scary apartment into the ultimate bachelor pad. While all this is going on, London and Lance break up and an all out mermaid fight ensues.

“Lip Synchin’ in the Rain” - Guest starring Mark Indelicato (Justin on Ugly Betty), the school musical is going to be “High School Musical” and Maddie is all set to play Sharpay (the character actress Ashley Tisdale played in the actual movie). When London gets the part over Maddie, she’s hurt until she learns that London’s dad paid for the part, by financing the director’s play “Floss”, which will soon be on Broadway. In the meantime, Cody is thrilled to have the part of the jock, Troy, while Zack is forced to work backstage as a part of his detention punishment.

“Orchestra” - Cody and his girlfriend Barbara are both in the orchestra. Barbara is a violinist and Cody plays French Horn. Zack must enroll in orchestra and he’s put on the triangle by a teacher who fears him. When a world famous violinist, Sergei, joins the orchestra, Cody is jealous when rumors of Barbara’s love for him spread throughout the class. Back at the Tipton, London’s father wants her to learn the hotel business, so he has her shadow all of the employees at their jobs, with disastrous results.

“A Tale of Two Houses” - Zack and Cody’s dad moves back to Boston to perform in a show about Vikings. In the meantime, he offers to spend time with them at his new condo and give Carey a much needed break. When the boys find out their dad’s apartment is empty on certain nights and there is a key hidden in the potted plant, Cody decides to meet Barbara and Zack meets Abby at their Dad’s empty condo for some alone time. At the Tipton, Esteban learns his family is back in power in his country and he needs to learn how to be rich, so London teaches him.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody has a talented cast. For a kid’s show, I’m pretty impressed by the quality and all of the actors work well together. The Sprouse boys are two of the best comedic young actors of their generation. A lot of good things will come to them if they keep up the good work. The comedic timing, the writing and the scenarios make this show continuously funny. I can see myself enjoying the new spinoff if its half as funny as The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

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Audio/Visual:
The standard 1.33:1 full frames look good on all of the episodes included on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain DVD. The colors are realistic and vibrant. Everything looks good. There is a minimal amount of grain and dirt. In fact, most people wouldn’t even notice the minor flaws on this DVD. Since The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is catered towards a younger audience, this quality suits the DVD just fine.

The audio for The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is typical for TV shows on DVD. Filmed in English Dolby Digital stereo, the soundtrack is as dynamic as a comedy-driven show needs to be. This show isn’t filled with action in the same way something like Rambo is so a higher quality soundtrack isn’t necessary. I’m pleased to say no volume toggling was necessary. Everything came through loud and clear. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain also features a Dolby Digital stereo soundtrack in French and subtitles in English.

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Bonus Features:
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain surprisingly enough, features some pretty cool bonus features. My son really enjoyed the cool extras on this disc and it’s really interesting to see how down to Earth and truly funny Cole and Dylan Sprouse really are. While there are only two bonuses, what is here is fun enough to be worth it.

The first bonus is a gag reel. The reel is pretty funny with music playing showing funny scenes from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody in between the cast messing up their lines, their movements and everything else. What’s funny is the adults seem to have a harder time keeping a straight face, while the kids remain in character for the most part. This was one of the best gag reels I’ve seen in a while.

The second bonus is a featurette called “Twin-tastic”. This is a multiple part featurette. At one point, the twins, Dylan and Cole Sprouse talk about being twins. They also talk about twin myths and twin statistics. Real life twins weigh in on the myths and what it is like to be an identical twin. The second part is the interview feature. In it, Brenda Song, who plays London Tipton, interviews Dylan and Cole about the show, being twins and other cool stuff! After the interview, the boys turn the tables and interview Brenda. This was a great featurette, and kids will definitely love watching it.

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Bottom Line:
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is a must have DVD for fans of this Disney Channel show. Disney Channel isn’t known for releasing these types of shows in season sets so this may be your main chance to get these particular episodes of the Zack and Cody series on DVD. If you have kids (or you don’t, but like this kind of comedy), The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is a must have DVD. This one comes highly recommended.

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Technorati Tags: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Lip Synchin’ in the Rain, Kids Show, Walt Disney, Disney Channel, Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, TV Show Review, DVD Review, Comedy

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