25 reviews
I thought this was a fun, well paced high school movie. I found it quite reminiscent of 10 Things I hate about you (an absolute classic if you haven't seen it and definitely one to watch if you enjoy this as it's even better - Heath Ledger and Julia Styles are magnificent).
The plot is, of course, somewhat predictable (what teen movie isn't?) but I really enjoyed it. It has some good tunes (lots of 80s tracks), sweet characters and conversations, and a really nice messages about friendship, not judging a book by its cover and friendship. I recommend it for an easy and enjoyable watch with the family (good for tweens and teens - my 10yr old loved it!).
The plot is, of course, somewhat predictable (what teen movie isn't?) but I really enjoyed it. It has some good tunes (lots of 80s tracks), sweet characters and conversations, and a really nice messages about friendship, not judging a book by its cover and friendship. I recommend it for an easy and enjoyable watch with the family (good for tweens and teens - my 10yr old loved it!).
This movie has all the makings of your run of the mill DCOM coming of age film, but it weirdly overindulged on the 80's nostalgia. Kind of odd to make a movie for Disney channel age teens and pre-teens with so many 80's references and tropes. The kids did not understand the John Cusack or Molly Ringwald references nor did they enjoy the soundtrack made up entirely of 80's songs. Disney is clearly trying to branch out with a more edgy teen film, but at the same time ended up making a Kenny Ortega meets John Hughes film. While the movie still made for an entertaining watch, I definitely think that Disney missed their target audience with this one.
Mandy Yang (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) is the school misanthrope. She is desperate to get into Harvard. Both her and her best friend Ben Plunkett (Milo Manheim) are class outsiders. Graham Lansing (Blake Draper) is the popular senior. Ms. Chen (Margaret Cho) is the school councilor. After getting waitlisted by Harvard, Mandy needs to befriend Graham and get help from his Senator father.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Milo Manheim are naturally endearing performers. It's too bad that Mandy is so snarky. I get the idea of character growth, but it's an off-putting start. The more interesting premise is that Graham is not an idiot. I would play with that even more although the plot device is that she's tutoring him. It needs to sort out his character, but there is potential there. It tries to reference a lot of 80's teen movies, but this movie doesn't have their essence. It seems to be trying to overturn a couple of those 80's tropes and I am interested in seeing what this movie is trying to do. This is a borderline case. I would like to like this more for the actors, but there are cringe issues.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Milo Manheim are naturally endearing performers. It's too bad that Mandy is so snarky. I get the idea of character growth, but it's an off-putting start. The more interesting premise is that Graham is not an idiot. I would play with that even more although the plot device is that she's tutoring him. It needs to sort out his character, but there is potential there. It tries to reference a lot of 80's teen movies, but this movie doesn't have their essence. It seems to be trying to overturn a couple of those 80's tropes and I am interested in seeing what this movie is trying to do. This is a borderline case. I would like to like this more for the actors, but there are cringe issues.
- SnoopyStyle
- Apr 1, 2023
- Permalink
- lisafordeay
- Apr 16, 2023
- Permalink
The story was not very interesting. The plot was very predictable. I feel like I have seen that same movie many, many times before. Acting was wooden and the dialogue was forced and not very believable. A "speech" late in the movie was especially horrible in that regard. In real life, people would have burst out laughing while in the movie it was seen as very deep and profound.
All of that could have been fine if the lead character was someone that I could be cheering for and actually cared what happened to. It's no joke, she is the absolute worst person shown in the entire movie. She is really an extremely privileged, narcissistic, selfish, manipulative liar, who believes she is a victim and doing good and being virtuous by liking the "correct" people and wearing T-shirts with the "right" slogans printed on them. I don't know if she has ever actually DONE anything decent in her life. The ending is especially bad.
The movie wants us to believe there is some serious character development going on here, but I didn't see any.
All of that could have been fine if the lead character was someone that I could be cheering for and actually cared what happened to. It's no joke, she is the absolute worst person shown in the entire movie. She is really an extremely privileged, narcissistic, selfish, manipulative liar, who believes she is a victim and doing good and being virtuous by liking the "correct" people and wearing T-shirts with the "right" slogans printed on them. I don't know if she has ever actually DONE anything decent in her life. The ending is especially bad.
The movie wants us to believe there is some serious character development going on here, but I didn't see any.
Prom Pact is supposed to be a little cliché, by design. It's a movie that is doing a tribute to (and a send up of) all those classic movies of the 1980s (with a few hints of films from the 1990s in the mix as well).
Peyton Elizabeth Lee is Mandy, the focused high school brainiac who never really had a social life because she's too busy saving the planet and fighting the patriarchy to bother. Oh, and she's absolutely intent on getting into Harvard so she can continue her crusades.
Margaret Cho, as Ms. Chen, Mandy's guidance counselor, tries to loosen Mandy up, to little success, but is her typical hilarious self every time she appears.
Mandy's bestie, Ben, played by Milo Manheim, is also just as socially awkward as she is (okay, he's much more awkward), except when they're together. They spend their off time in school clowning the popular people, which include captain of the basketball team, Graham (Blake Draper) and head cheerleader LaToya (Monique A. Green).
When Mandy gets waitlisted for Harvard, she tries to discover a way to get an edge. That's when she learns that Graham's dad, a prominent politician, was a Crimson grad and maybe could write her a letter of recommendation?
Then it becomes a scramble for Mandy to get in good with the guy she mocked so his father could make her dream come true, and for Ben to try to be near LaToya, who he had been crushing on since junior high.
The most fun here is in all of the references to classic 80s pop culture, as most every "promposal" features a moment taken from one of those films as a part. The parents will get a kick out of that. And the soundtrack of featured music is a playlist of hits of the era from start to finish!
But the "pact" part of Prom Pact was Mandy and Ben's agreement to go to prom together, as sort of a joke, but as kind of protection for each other since neither one of them fit into the whole "High School Popularity" concept. However, what happens when other things happen and maybe they each discover things they never knew about themselves and about the people around them?
This is a knowing film that references the 1980s in a way to make it feel current and charming and it all is retrofitted brilliantly into the 2020s. Director Anya Adams deserves full credit for balancing these two disparate decades so deftly, it doesn't feel contrived.
Definitely cute, relatable and with a high LOL factor, Prom Pact is totally tubular and pure guava. (That means it's very worth watching!)
Peyton Elizabeth Lee is Mandy, the focused high school brainiac who never really had a social life because she's too busy saving the planet and fighting the patriarchy to bother. Oh, and she's absolutely intent on getting into Harvard so she can continue her crusades.
Margaret Cho, as Ms. Chen, Mandy's guidance counselor, tries to loosen Mandy up, to little success, but is her typical hilarious self every time she appears.
Mandy's bestie, Ben, played by Milo Manheim, is also just as socially awkward as she is (okay, he's much more awkward), except when they're together. They spend their off time in school clowning the popular people, which include captain of the basketball team, Graham (Blake Draper) and head cheerleader LaToya (Monique A. Green).
When Mandy gets waitlisted for Harvard, she tries to discover a way to get an edge. That's when she learns that Graham's dad, a prominent politician, was a Crimson grad and maybe could write her a letter of recommendation?
Then it becomes a scramble for Mandy to get in good with the guy she mocked so his father could make her dream come true, and for Ben to try to be near LaToya, who he had been crushing on since junior high.
The most fun here is in all of the references to classic 80s pop culture, as most every "promposal" features a moment taken from one of those films as a part. The parents will get a kick out of that. And the soundtrack of featured music is a playlist of hits of the era from start to finish!
But the "pact" part of Prom Pact was Mandy and Ben's agreement to go to prom together, as sort of a joke, but as kind of protection for each other since neither one of them fit into the whole "High School Popularity" concept. However, what happens when other things happen and maybe they each discover things they never knew about themselves and about the people around them?
This is a knowing film that references the 1980s in a way to make it feel current and charming and it all is retrofitted brilliantly into the 2020s. Director Anya Adams deserves full credit for balancing these two disparate decades so deftly, it doesn't feel contrived.
Definitely cute, relatable and with a high LOL factor, Prom Pact is totally tubular and pure guava. (That means it's very worth watching!)
"Prom Pact" is a romantic comedy produced by Disney that's more like a fairy tale than anything remotely approaching realism. The plot revolves around a high school senior who tries to manipulate a classmate she detests, only to find herself charmed by him and falling in love.
However, the central character is a spoiled and entitled princess who is difficult to like. She displays narcissistic tendencies and an overly ambitious, judgmental feminist attitude that clashes with her eventual love interest, whom she sees as a high school prince who embodies the traits of "privilege" and "patriarchy". Her character is so off-putting that it is difficult to empathize with or root for her.
The movie is marketed as a romantic comedy, but it's not funny at all. The humor falls flat, and the attempts at jokes are clichéd and predictable. The dialogue is uninteresting, and the pacing is slow, making the film feel much longer than its runtime.
Furthermore, the performances in "Prom Pact" are poor, especially from the sidekick male friend. The actors seem to be going through the motions, and his attempts at comic relief are laughable only because they are so bad. The lack of authenticity and the mediocre acting leave the viewer feeling disappointed and uninvested in the story.
Overall, "Prom Pact" is a movie that fails to entertain or connect with its audience. Its unrealistic plot and unlikable characters make it a forgettable and unpleasant experience. The lack of humor and poor performances only add to the film's flaws. Save your time and skip this one.
However, the central character is a spoiled and entitled princess who is difficult to like. She displays narcissistic tendencies and an overly ambitious, judgmental feminist attitude that clashes with her eventual love interest, whom she sees as a high school prince who embodies the traits of "privilege" and "patriarchy". Her character is so off-putting that it is difficult to empathize with or root for her.
The movie is marketed as a romantic comedy, but it's not funny at all. The humor falls flat, and the attempts at jokes are clichéd and predictable. The dialogue is uninteresting, and the pacing is slow, making the film feel much longer than its runtime.
Furthermore, the performances in "Prom Pact" are poor, especially from the sidekick male friend. The actors seem to be going through the motions, and his attempts at comic relief are laughable only because they are so bad. The lack of authenticity and the mediocre acting leave the viewer feeling disappointed and uninvested in the story.
Overall, "Prom Pact" is a movie that fails to entertain or connect with its audience. Its unrealistic plot and unlikable characters make it a forgettable and unpleasant experience. The lack of humor and poor performances only add to the film's flaws. Save your time and skip this one.
- melaniewagers-99630
- Apr 9, 2023
- Permalink
- kathshryock
- Apr 15, 2023
- Permalink
The closest thing I've seen to a John Hughes movie, without it being a John Hughes movie. I was hoping for more of a Pretty in Pink ending, so I can only do a 9/10. It just made me too nostalgic for an actual John Hughes film. Overall it's a cute movie about friendship and covers the stereotypes of classic high school cliche movies. It just was missing something or needed a bit more. I can't put my finger on it. It needed a big moment or elaborate gesture or something. I also am unsure of how well our main protagonist actually follows her own beliefs about single use plastics and being a vegan, etc. You can be a feminist without being all those things, but if you are going to have a character like that it should be consistent. While watching it I almost forgot it was a Disney movie, but maybe it could have been better if it wasn't so family friendly. Just some thoughts. Give it a chance for sure!
- MermaidMandy01
- Mar 30, 2023
- Permalink
And by children I mean anyone younger than 12 simply based off of one scene where the young cashier talks about the mc's best friend hooking up with girls. "I mean have you ever put your P in a V" and I know I sound like THAT mom but it was unnecessary and the only added benefit was that I now won't let young ears watch the movie. Not everything has to be sexualized.
Other than that, it's a cute movie. Sure the mc is a bit of a pick-me girl with her "that's not feminist or environmentally friendly" attitude but she's a fairly good actress and the storyline is cute, even if a little predictable. But that's what I want in a Disney original movie.
Predictability and a lack of vulgarity.
Other than that, it's a cute movie. Sure the mc is a bit of a pick-me girl with her "that's not feminist or environmentally friendly" attitude but she's a fairly good actress and the storyline is cute, even if a little predictable. But that's what I want in a Disney original movie.
Predictability and a lack of vulgarity.
- leeleelane
- Apr 3, 2023
- Permalink
I thought this movie was a breath of fresh air , I got every emotion from this movie and it felt like old teen Disney movies very nostalgic for me. I am so happy to see a strong female role in Disney very inspiring for teens. (Also, please be realistic I know your worried about the parties and things it showed but when I was a senior in high school I did all the same things.)
Although I wouldn't let young kids watch this I think it's perfectly acceptable watching ages 13+
Hands down the best coming of age movie I've seen in a long time! Don't let the negative reviews taint your opinion. I'm so happy I watched it and I never write reviews but I had to for this one.
- serenapapanek
- Jul 1, 2023
- Permalink
Not another Disney Channel movie.... cant' believe I would ever say this but how is this movie categorized as a Disney Channel movie? It is not appropriate for kids to watch due to underage drinking, partying, adult language and content as well as a specific narrative that is being pushed, and issues blah blah blah. Why can't we just enjoy a movie without getting a narrative pushed at every step? It's another flop for Disney.... Why haven't they taken the hint that nobody asks for this? The plot was nothing special, terrible teenage acting per usual for Disney Channel, trying to rebrand the spectacular 80s movies into promposals with a weird meaning that the ones asking to prom don't listen or take an interest in what girls want in a promposal. Don't waste your time with this movie.
- vanessa-892-220070
- Apr 16, 2023
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- jessieallyne-67581
- Apr 13, 2023
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This movie has definitely made it onto my list of the top 50 films I want to watch with my son during his teenage years. The way Mendy and Graham's friendship develops in the film, along with the challenges everyone faces, really resonated with me. I strongly believe that even if you're not the most popular person in class, you should still have your own circle of friends. Ben's character in the movie is truly heartwarming. He's there for Mendy when she's down and continues to support her even when he knows she has feelings for Graham. But what I really want to share with my son is that even with true friends, you can accidentally hurt your real best friend by getting distracted, just like Mendy unintentionally neglects Ben. However, if we can all take a moment to reflect on our actions, I hope my son can be as brave as Mendy. Brave enough to take practical steps to mend the trust and commitments between friends. Wow, this is really a must-watch for every student before graduation.
I was not expecting this to be a good Disney original movie or anything, and after seeing it I thought it was ok with an idea that could be entertaining and/or funny that I felt could have been used better. This movie does trivial things I was not expecting for a Disney movie, but it can feel out of place at times.
A problem I had was the main character played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, she gives a reliable performance, but her character can be annoying or stupid along with her hammering in dialogue that involves her being a feminist or not liking to fall in love. I liked the character Milo Manheim played because I could relate to him at times, he spoke in a reasonable sense, and he could be funny on rare occasions.
Blake Draper playing a popular kid who really is a nice person was fine, but I would wish the dialogue were better between characters. There comedy is not usually funny, but it can be funny rarely and the prom stuff can be cheesy when you see a lot of prom proposal scenes happening back-to-back even though it was expected.
Prom Pact (2023) was ok with-it becoming cliché when getting near the end, I thought this movie could have been better than what we got but it is fine for what it is doing. Not something I would re-watch again, but not something I would specifically recommend.
A problem I had was the main character played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, she gives a reliable performance, but her character can be annoying or stupid along with her hammering in dialogue that involves her being a feminist or not liking to fall in love. I liked the character Milo Manheim played because I could relate to him at times, he spoke in a reasonable sense, and he could be funny on rare occasions.
Blake Draper playing a popular kid who really is a nice person was fine, but I would wish the dialogue were better between characters. There comedy is not usually funny, but it can be funny rarely and the prom stuff can be cheesy when you see a lot of prom proposal scenes happening back-to-back even though it was expected.
Prom Pact (2023) was ok with-it becoming cliché when getting near the end, I thought this movie could have been better than what we got but it is fine for what it is doing. Not something I would re-watch again, but not something I would specifically recommend.
- MB-reviewer185
- Apr 6, 2023
- Permalink
HEAR ME OUT!!!! This is a movie for gen z. The people who get it get it. I was fully prepared to hate on it bc the promos were so cringe but it was rly good I think it's one of my new fav rom coms and I haven't seen a good one in a while. Of course it's not really thought provoking or beautiful for its cinematography but it does really well for the audience it's trying to reach. Also I get Mandy is annoying but there's also people like that and she has valid points. The movie is definitely better than any Netflix teen movie I've seen and it has really good chemistry. Also the plot is interesting. I am not saying it's my favorite movie but it is really really good for the genre and audience.
- averyneale
- Apr 10, 2023
- Permalink
Teenage romatic comedy "Prom Pact" is a classic Disney movie with predictable twists, a well used story and unoriginal setting.
And yet, they make it work. The performances were spot on, and, especially the leading lady was slaying it.
It was also interesting to have more focus on the friendship rather than the romance. Even though the romance was also quite cute, predictable though. And the ending was messy and could have been handled a bit smoother and, of course, better.
The performances, finally, were pretty enjoyable by everyone in the cast and the atmosphere was spot on, light and youthful.
And yet, they make it work. The performances were spot on, and, especially the leading lady was slaying it.
It was also interesting to have more focus on the friendship rather than the romance. Even though the romance was also quite cute, predictable though. And the ending was messy and could have been handled a bit smoother and, of course, better.
The performances, finally, were pretty enjoyable by everyone in the cast and the atmosphere was spot on, light and youthful.
- PennyReviews
- Apr 13, 2023
- Permalink
Firstly, the dialect of the film is definitely unbecoming from any Disney original movie I've seen. Which is probably why this movie was a breath of fresh air.
I gotta say I was very surprised that as set in her ways as Mandy was, she throw away her future for some ween. Lol.
Mandy is very hard to like (surprise surprise for a main protagonist trying to achieve their goal in a teen rom-com) when she slashes and burns everything around her to achieve her goal. (Justice for Ben.)
Ben's character is like some derivation of Duckie from Pretty in Pink. Not a compliment since John cryer was annoying in that film.
Margaret and Wendi were hilarious in this film. The Goldbergs definitely prepared her for the archetype of overbearing mother wanting to control some aspect of her kids' life. Margaret's natural comedic ability proves she could dish it for premature audiences too, and not just for adults.
I gotta say I was very surprised that as set in her ways as Mandy was, she throw away her future for some ween. Lol.
Mandy is very hard to like (surprise surprise for a main protagonist trying to achieve their goal in a teen rom-com) when she slashes and burns everything around her to achieve her goal. (Justice for Ben.)
Ben's character is like some derivation of Duckie from Pretty in Pink. Not a compliment since John cryer was annoying in that film.
Margaret and Wendi were hilarious in this film. The Goldbergs definitely prepared her for the archetype of overbearing mother wanting to control some aspect of her kids' life. Margaret's natural comedic ability proves she could dish it for premature audiences too, and not just for adults.
- andrew_cas2009
- Apr 18, 2023
- Permalink
Uses AI-generated imagery in the movie. Completely and totally unacceptable. This isn't what movies are supposed to be about. They are supposed to be soul-ful, expressive, and artistic. Not hollow, empty, and soul-less. This movie is a transition into a terrible future: empty video content that has no intentful expression, no human-created content that has been carefully crafted. It's disgusting and disturbing that Disney, a company whose past movies are known for such wonderful expressions of the human spirit and soul, would become the own villain of their stories like this. If you support this, you are killing movies.
- electricflux
- Feb 5, 2024
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- annadeurloo
- Jul 3, 2023
- Permalink
This is one of the best movies I've seen in years. It is an awesome feel-good movie with a heartwarming story that resonated deeply with us. The acting was top-notch, and the characters were relatable, making the film even more engaging. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, especially since it was a Disney film! The humor and emotional depth really stand out, making it not just a kids' movie but something that appeals to all ages. It's not for your little children, but my older kids and I will definitely be watching it again. We are a feel-good kind of family, and this movie was perfect for us. Plus, it has a killer soundtrack if you love 80s nostalgia, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.
- kjmoneymaker-26301
- Aug 23, 2024
- Permalink
It is certainly a film that ends up moving, first of all, it talks about having a truly faithful and true friendship, where in this friendship there is fidelity and loyalty, it is a very interesting message that ends up getting through, but even so, it would not have left aside a person who I like to help someone else.... at least I would take it with me and not leave it alone in the restaurant, I believe that would be the right thing to do, and that it would make more sense, that's what I believe.
The film's story is very beautiful from the beginning, with a very well done and balanced script, and each scene is in the right proportion, all the difficulties and problems that appear throughout the story are real, and shows how difficult it can be to deal with several situations at once.
The other part is also the entire scenario that ends up completing the scenes, making it more realistic and beautiful, and we can't help but say about the film's cast that it's very good, with Milo Manheim from Zombies I really like him as he's a very good actor. Talented, Monique Green who already has a successful career and also great talent, and the great Pyton Elizabeth Lee (from Andi Mack) another very strong and good actress, a very good film to watch.
The film's story is very beautiful from the beginning, with a very well done and balanced script, and each scene is in the right proportion, all the difficulties and problems that appear throughout the story are real, and shows how difficult it can be to deal with several situations at once.
The other part is also the entire scenario that ends up completing the scenes, making it more realistic and beautiful, and we can't help but say about the film's cast that it's very good, with Milo Manheim from Zombies I really like him as he's a very good actor. Talented, Monique Green who already has a successful career and also great talent, and the great Pyton Elizabeth Lee (from Andi Mack) another very strong and good actress, a very good film to watch.