"The Lizzie McGuire Movie": When In Rome, Become A Pop Star

One of my philosophies in life has always been not to give a damn what anyone else thinks. You can think what you want of me, but at the end of the day, my opinion of myself is the only opinion that matters.

It's with this in mind that I'll stick up my hand and say it: I like Hilary Duff.

Now, let's just get this straight before some people (Josie, Darren, I'm looking at you here) start to get the wrong idea. I have never met Hilary Duff, therefore I have no idea what she's like in person. So when I say I 'like' her, what I mean is I think she's a talented actress and singer who gets a lot of undeserved criticism simply because she fits a certain stereotype.

Although she's credited with starring in other things first, The Lizzie McGuire Show was Hilary's first big break. Hilary played the title character, who went through middle school life with her two best friends Miranda and Gordo. She also had to put up with her younger brother Matt and rival Kate (who Lizzie used to be friends with), and has a major crush on Ethan Craft, one of the dumbest teenagers you're likely to meet. There's also an animated Lizzie character, who says all the things Lizzie is thinking, but wouldn't say herself. Animated Lizzie appears separate to the real thing, so it turns out as a bit of a look inside Lizzie's mind.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie markets itself simply to fans of the TV show. As such, it gives no backstory on who the characters are, and without knowing the above, it could be slightly confusing.

The movie starts as Lizzie and David 'Gordo' Gordon (Adam Lamberg) are graduating middle school. Miranda, who is said to be in Mexico for one reason or another, is absent for the entirety of the film. As usually happens at important moments in Lizzie's life, she embarrasses herself, much to the delight of Kate (Ashlie Brillault). Soon after, Lizzie, Gordo, Kate, Ethan and a number of their classmates are off on a trip to Rome, under the strict supervision of their soon-to-be high school principal Miss Ungermeyer (Alex Borstein).

While in Rome, Miss Ungermeyer has a very tight sightseeing schedule planned for the group, which only seems to include things with historic importance. While at a wishing fountain (apparently a rather famous one), a Roman pop star named Paolo (Yani Gellman) mistakes Lizzie for his old partner Isabella. Although Lizzie and Gordo are quick to correct him, it's decided that this is Lizzie's chance to go on a big adventure. So, faking a sickie to fool Miss Ungermeyer, and with Gordo covering for her when necessary, Lizzie sneaks out of the hotel every day to meet Paolo. Soon, Lizzie's brother Matt (Jake Thomas) reads on the Internet how Paolo and Isabella are suddenly back together. Recognising Lizzie, he tricks their parents into thinking he misses his big sister and before you know it, the rest of the McGuire family are off to Rome.

While the plot is innocent enough for this to be a family movie, it's obvious to those of us that are a bit older and wiser that Paolo wants to make a different kind of "beautiful music" with Lizzie than he's telling her about. And what happens when the real Isabella gets wind of this?

Duff is a skilled actress, and pulls off her part with ease. She's always been good at playing Lizzie, perhaps because she's been playing the part for a long time. She comes across as smart, carefree and clumsy, with a quirky sense of humour. It's hardly a great stretch for anyone, but Duff makes it look pretty much effortless.

Gordo (Adam Lamberg) has always been the sensible one of the group, but he's driven by something more than sensibility. Perhaps it's whatever he's hiding in his hair - that afro is atrocious. It's basically the same style you see him with in the TV show, but there it's a lot shorter and a lot less distracting. He's easily the third wheel, as Lizzie and Miranda have been friends since they were very young. I've always found it odd that he would hang around with them, and there's only one logical reason for doing so. He's in love with Lizzie, and she's oblivious to the fact. At one stage, Lizzie is nearly busted by Miss Ungermeyer, so Gordo covers for her and gets himself kicked off the trip. Upon returning to her room and hearing the news from Kate, Lizzie asks why Gordo would do something like that.

The love story between Lizzie and Gordo could be the reason Miranda was omitted from this film. In nearly every episode of the show, the three of them have been a rock solid trio, but having Miranda around is a complication for the scriptwriters - it doesn't give them a chance to focus on just Lizzie and Gordo. Here, the scriptwriters make full use of that opportunity, and although it's not until near the end that Lizzie actually figures it out, it's good to see there may just be a chance for them. The love story isn't overdone - most of what Gordo does to try and save Lizzie can just be put down to good friendship - but the sentiment of it is there.

Kate (Ashlie Brillault) and Ethan (Clayton Snyder) are basically given the same minimal treatment here they get in the TV show. Kate shows up every now and then to embarrass Lizzie in some way and Ethan has always just been Lizzie's trust, despite his inability to spell IQ. It's made pretty clear the only thing Ethan's got going for him is his looks. In the film, Kate becomes Lizzie's roommate, much to the horror of both of them, but it allows Kate's 'good' side to make an appearance, as happens so rarely on the show. Brillault performs at her best when portraying the 'evil' Kate, but also knows exactly how to display her softer side when necessary. Snyder portrays Ethan as dimwitted, and obsessed about his hair. It's not much of a personality, but it's perfect for the character.

Gellman never quite manages to act as a villain, which is a good thing considering it isn't called of him until the ending. When it is, he tries to look shocked (fails) for a brief second, and isn't seen again. Throughout the rest of the film, however, he's cheesy, smarmy and sensitive. He does everything right to try to get Lizzie to trust him. They're obviously very taken with each other right from the word go.

The characters that feature in both the TV show and the movie (Lizzie, Gordo, Ethan, Kate, Matt, Lizzie's parents) are played by the same actors, which may be another reason why Miranda wasn't included. If LaLaine Vergas wasn't available, then I'd say it's better to have no Miranda than a substitute actress.

"The Lizzie McGuire Movie" appeals directly to fans of the Disney TV show "The Lizzie McGuire Show". It doesn't give you any backstory for any of the characters, which can be confusing if you don't know them, but ultimately, it has a very specific target audience and keeps that audience happy. Hilary Duff haters, stay away.