DVD Review: Taking 5

Movie Info:
Writer: Shauna Cross
Director: Andrew Waller
Cast: Alona Tal, Daniella Monet, Christy Carlson Romano, Bart Johnson, Marcus T. Paulk, Eric Dill, Joey Zehr, Ben Romans
Rating: PG
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: September 9, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $21.99

I have a theory that teen and tween movies were created to annoy parents and pretty much anyone else with an iota of taste. They won’t be going anywhere though because teens and tweens absolutely love them. I still haven’t figured out why, but I suppose that just means I am getting old.

Taking 5 offers a simple storyline along the same vein as High School Musical. I am not a fan of HSM, but in fairness I will say it was better than watching this. The acting isn’t particularly bad. I suppose it’s the writing and direction that needs the most work.

If you have girls in middle school they will probably rave about how good this film is. They will like it because it’s relatable to them and their love for boy bands. Parents will want to find something better to do while this is on. While it is harmless and absolutely fine for the middle-schoolers to watch, it’s nothing that you would want to bother watching unless you like bad, mainstream movies for kids.

As bad as it was it would have been worse without Alona Tal and Daniella Monet. These two really manage to float the movie, making it a little less painful to watch than it really was. As much as I disliked it though, I do see the potential for younger people. Middle school and early high school students will like it, especially if they like the HSM type of movies. There isn’t as much music going on here, but it’s similar enough that if they like one they will like the other.

The Taking 5 Plot
Gabby (Monet – Nancy Drew) and Devon (Tal) are BFFs. The girls want nothing more than to get the hottest boy band ever to perform at a free concert at Highland High. When that plan doesn’t work out as they want it to, the girls do the next logical thing. They kidnap the band instead.

Gabby and Devon absolutely love the band 5 Leo Rise (The Click Five). They try to win a contest which gains you a free concert, but Kira (Kate Albrecht) wins instead. The reason that winning is so important is that you are guaranteed a chance to meet with the band. Naturally, the girls just have to meet the band, so they hatch a scheme to make their dreams come true.

During the ceremony where Kira is being named the winner, Gabby sets Kira’s hair on fire (completely accidental) and with Kira’s hair goes just enough of the tickets to ruin Highland High’s chances of winning the concert. Considering Kira is the most popular girl in school she makes Devon and Gabby’s life a living hell from that moment on. Wanting to be popular, the girls and a guy named Lincoln (Marcus T. Paulk) team up to kidnap the band.

If you like reality you will hate this. It’s not often that the kidnapped party plays along with the kidnapper’s scheme, after all. Most kids will be able to ignore the non-realistic aspects of this movie because on some level they can relate. What young girl wouldn’t want to kidnap their favorite boy band only to see said band be a good sport about it?

The following scores are based on the middle school girl mindset. I seriously don’t advise or recommend that adults watch this.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
Taking 5 is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio in anamorphic widescreen. There isn’t too much wrong with the picture. There is the occasional compression error, but for the most part things are pretty clear. The picture quality is decent and the colors are bright and naturally strong. Even with the minimal problems that were evident, viewing was not hindered in any way. What little issues there were, did not show themselves often making for a good visual experience overall.

The audio was presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 with Closed Captioning available. The audio was standard with little to no problems worth reporting. The levels remained consistent throughout and while the sound did not blow me away, it did do its job. In addition to the standard audio, subtitles in both English and French are offered.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
Beyond the standard Sony previews there were quite a few special features here. It would have been nice of them to leave them behind, but the girls that this movie is marketed for might like them. Things get started with an Alternative Opening Sequence. Obviously, the fact that it is the alternative opening means that it wasn’t good enough to be picked for the opening. So, your thoughts on this will ultimately depend on how much you liked the movie with it’s original ending.

“Taking the Band: Making Taking 5” is your standard making of type of featurette. It’s not amazingly special. It tells some tidbits about the movie and what went into getting things done. That’s about it. “On the Set with Devon and Lincoln” is somewhat similar to the first featurette as two of the main actors show you around and let you hang with them for a short time. The “Interview with Director Andrew Waller” gives you some more information on the film and his mindset while making the film.

The final feature is a music video for the title track of the movie, “Kidnap my Heart.” As you can see there is a fair amount of bonuses here, but I can’t say there’s anything worth writing home about. Things are basic, but for the audience and type of movie this is, that is definitely okay.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
What this comes down to is that this is a movie similar to, but not as good as High School Musical. Adults will want to avoid it completely, but if you have young daughters, around the age of middle school, this could end up being one of their favorite movies. This is the age group that I am recommending watch Taking 5. Everyone else needs to avoid this movie like some sort of plague because it is a terrible movie to watch for anyone above the age of puberty.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Taking 5, Boy Band, Kidnapping, Tween Movie, Childrens Movie, Alona Tal, Daniella Monet, Christy Carlson Romano, Bart Johnson, Marcus T. Paulk, Eric Dill, Joey Zehr, Ben Romans

Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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Ashtyn lives in her home state of Michigan with her life partner, Dominick, her 14 year old son, and her baby, the Shih-Tzu, Oliver Twist. Ashtyn is in college, going for a degree in Criminal Justice. She eventually plans to intern with the FBI, if she can. Ashtyn is an experienced and talented chef. She also excels at writing and has worked as a professional writer for the past five years. Ashtyn enjoys spending time with her son and four year old nephew, watching movies, listening to music, and writing works of fiction.

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