Starring:
Shia LaBeouf as Louis Stevens
Christy Carlson Romano as Ren Stevens
Donna Pescow as Eileen Stevens
Tom Virtue as Steve Stevens
Nick Spano as Donnie Stevens
Tim Meadows as Miles McDermott
Steven Anthony Lawrence as Bernard ‘Beans’ Arengaren
A.J. Trauth as Alan Twitty
Margo Harshman as Tawny Dean
Dave Coulier as Lance LeBow
Keone Young as Chief Tuka
Lauren Frost as Ruby
Howard Walker as Laylo
Josh Keaton as Mootai/Jason
George Anthony Bell as Principal Wexler
Special Features:
Commentary by actors Christy Carlson Romano and Shia LeBeouf on selected scenes
Challenge Game
DVD-ROM “Island Adventure” Party Planner
Other Info:
Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Synopsis:
This film was originally released on the Disney Channel in 2003. The following is from the DVD cover:
“Dream vacation? Dream on! Ren, Louis, and the entire Stevens family battle ferocious squirrels, angry natives — and one another — on the adventure of a lifetime. Christy Carlson Romano and Shia LaBeouf star in this hilarious movie inspired by the hit Disney Channel original series. Out of the blue, the Stevens win an all-expense-paid trip to a secluded hideaway on the sunny isle of Mandelino. This is just what they need to get away from everyday stress. Unfortunately, their too-good-to-be-true week in paradise has actually been set up by a new “extreme reality” television series. And in a quest for blockbuster ratings, the show’s unscrupulous host will try to turn the family’s dream vacation into a savagely funny nightmare!”
The Even Stevens Movie is rated TV-G.
The Movie:
This movie is only worth checking out if you watched the TV series Even Stevens. Otherwise there’s not a lot here to make it noteworthy. The production is rather low budget, the plot is silly, that ‘Beans’ kid is really creepy, and it is aimed squarely at kids and nobody else. There are a couple of amusing things about the Even Stevens Movie, though. The interaction between Shia LaBeouf as Louis Stevens and Christy Carlson Romano as Ren Stevens is funny. It’s rare to see sibling rivalry taken to the level of total war, especially on the Disney Channel. A lot of the humor was improvised and Shia LaBeouf apparently deserves a lot of the credit for it. It’s also fun to see SNL veteran Tim Meadows play a slimy reality TV series host. Reality TV is a prime target for parody and this takes a lot of well deserved shots at it. That being said, you’re probably better off passing on this one.
The Extras:
There are a few bonus features included on this DVD:
Commentary by actors Christy Carlson Romano and Shia LeBeouf on selected scenes It’s good to have commentary by the two main actors, but their commentaries were recorded separately, so they don’t interact at all. It would have been more fun with them together.
Challenge Game This is an insanely elaborate game for multiple players. You are expected to gather numerous props to play. It will annoy adults and frustrate small children. Play at your own risk.
The Bottom Line:
The Even Stevens Movie is fun for kids and fans of the TV series, but adults will definitely want to pass on it.
