MOVIE NEWS: Monte Carlo

Editor’s note: we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a word from OWL assistant editor, Kendra Brown. (Craig will be back next week.) Enjoy!

It’s been a while, folks, but we finally have a review of a movie that doesn’t involve comic characters or superheroes. Monte Carlo opened in theatres on Friday, and I’m here to tell you what I thought about this fun summer flick.

Grace, played by Selena Gomez, has just graduated from high school in small-town Texas and is about to set off on a trip to Paris. Along for the summer adventure is her best friend, Emma, and stepsister, Meg. Grace has been saving up and dreaming of this trip her entire life. However, when the three girls arrive in the “City of Light,” it’s not exactly what they expected — especially when their tour bus accidentally leaves them behind.

When they run into the rich and super-snobby socialite Cordelia Winthrop Scott at a hotel, things get even more interesting. Grace is a spitting image of Cordelia — and the hotel staff end up confusing the two, landing Grace, Emma, and Meg in a private jet straight to Monte Carlo, Monaco!

But how long can Grace pretend to be the wealthy British heiress without being busted? The two may look alike, but that’s where their similarities end.

Here are a few observations about the movie:

1) It’s funny. The three girls get themselves into several sticky situations, which is bound to happen when you’re pretending to be a celebrity! From a risky run-in with Cordelia’s aunt to a close call at a polo match, there are lots of laughs, as Grace, Emma, and Meg have to come up with new ways to keep their cover.

2) It’s sweet. Seriously. It’s sugary sweet in a way that a girl like me can enjoy. The story may be a bit silly, but it’s fun, and the life lessons about friendship and finding yourself are heartwarming. I think this is in part because of Selena Gomez and her character, Grace, who are both bursting with sweetness. In any case, the movie made me smile, and I like that!

3) It made me want to travel. Then again, maybe I don’t even need to since I got a tour of Paris and Monte Carlo just by watching the movie! The stunning scenery was a major highlight of the film, and definitely made this modern-day fairytale sparkle.

Overall, I was a fan of this movie. Then again, I love Paris, fairytales, and all things pretty. But it was also a very fun and funny flick!

What do you think, blog readers? Will you check this one out?

Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com