Watch Kids' Reviews of
RISING STARS

I really liked the way Brenna and Kevin interacted and how everyone teamed up against Mo, not putting up with the unfair competition. The characters' reactions to their situation are realistic, the way Chance is so angry when his only guitar is smashed, Kevin's feeling of great loss and anger when his computer is drowned. At the beginning the characters are less mature and quarrel, but as the movie ends they have grown, become more confident, get along, work together and are much happier. Not an original idea, but pleasing to watch. I like the characters, photography and music.

Beginning with a competition, we follow a group of teens through personal and social dilemmas. The ending resolves many of the growing tensions as the kids gain victory over their circumstances and a better sense of themselves. The pressures the characters face are common in young adult lives. The filmmaker show sensitivity in dealing with these pressures and the seriousness of the choices that confront them. Even the outtakes are enjoyable. At first your are tricked into thinking these characters are stereotypes and that the story has a predictable ending. However, it was a nice surprise as the characters all gained depth and their unique traits were exposed and well-blended.

A musically-driven hybrid of High School Musical meets Glee, this film explores the sacrifices that come with achieving success. In a fame-obsessed culture, each of the finalists must figure out why they are competing and how much they want to win.