Featured TV on DVD Review: Hannah Montana: Who Is Hannah Montana?

December 8, 2010

Hannah Montana: Who Is Hannah Montana? - Buy from Amazon

The last time I reviewed Hannah Montana, the question was: is this the end? This time they are asking who is Hannah Montana? The question I want to ask is, when will they start putting out full season sets again?

The Show

It's another single-disc release, this time with a theme. The theme comes from the first episode on the DVD, I'll Always Remember You, in which Miley Stewart reveals to her boyfriend that she's Hannah Montana. Her boyfriend, Jesse, used to be Hannah Montana's guitarist, but she fired him because she didn't want him dating Miley while working with Hannah. But when she tells him the truth, he's back in the band. However, after performing on Jay Leno, Jesse kisses Hannah, so now the world thinks they are dating, which means Miley and Jesse can't date.

Confused yet?

After losing her boyfriend because of her secret identity and getting rejected from Stanford for the same reason (while Hannah has a lot of extra-curricular activities, Miley does not) she starts to wonder if having the secret identity is worth it anymore.

That's the basic setup to the highlight episode of this DVD. It's a two-parter, so there's more than enough time to explore something that has been at the heart of the series from the beginning. Fans of the show should really enjoy this episode, as it is one of the better episodes that I've seen. (Granted, I've only seen the episodes that they send my way to review.) The whole Greek Chorus with Jackson, Rico and Siena was a little over-the-top at times, even compared to the average for the show, but that's part of the fun.

The other episodes on the show share the theme of Miley revealing that's she Hannah Montana, starting with, or ending with, De-Do-Do-Do, Da-Don't-Don't, Don't, Tell My Secret. The episodes are presented in reverse chronological order, and I really have no idea why. In this episode, Jackson's girlfriend, Siena, (played by Tammin Sursok from Spectacular!, which I previously reviewed) is over, playing Monopoly, when she spots Miley in her Hannah Montana wig. This causes her to think Jackson is cheating on her with Hannah. This is not as crazy as it first sounds, as there was once that rumor going around after Hannah Montana was spotted entering the Stewart home. Miley promises that if Siena spots her in her Hannah Montana outfit again, she'll tell her the truth. You can probably guess where this ends.

Ready, Set, Don't Drive was previously released on Keeping it Real, which I reviewed already. Achy Jakey Heart is from Life's What You Make It, which I reviewed way back in 2007. While both Miley, Get Your Gum and Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret were part of the first season DVD that I reviewed earlier, as well as Livin' The Rock Star Life, which came out before I was doing reviews for Disney.

So that's a double-length episode and a regular episode making their DVD debut, plus a double-length episode and a regular episode that are double-dips, plus two episodes that are triple-dips.

The Extras

The only extra is a two-minute sneak peak at Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, which is not so much an extra as it is an ad. On the other hand, I'm kind of looking forward to reviewing that movie for two reasons. Firstly, I like Ashley Tisdale. Secondly, it will give me an excuse to break out more Phineas and Ferb quotes.

The Verdict

Full season sets. I want full season sets. I don't particularly want full season sets of Hannah Montana, but if Disney starts putting out full season sets, perhaps I will finally be able to buy the entire series of Kim Possible. And Fillmore. I can't be the only guy in his mid 30s that liked that show.

In the meantime, Who Is Hannah Montana? should please fans who can't wait and who are already missing the show. There are not a lot of extras, while the double-dipping is an issue. That said, it is a good theme and it does explore every season of the show.


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