Minutemen

Disney juvenile star Jason Dolley gets a chance to set things right so to speak in high school life in the new Disney television film, Minutemen. He and another young man get hung out to dry on the horns of a ram statue which is their high school mascot. After that it's nerd city for him and young Luke Benward.

But you don't mess with a young genius and Benward with the help of some purloined downloaded files from NASA invents a time machine. They get another assistant in 6'4" Nicholas Braun who because of his height is also something of a high school misfit. And then with the best of intentions they go back in time and start righting a few wrongs as they see them. Life for them becomes one big do-over. Naturally as things work out some really unforeseen consequences occur.

It's a Disney product so the cast has that fresh scrubbed look, but the film is charmingly done and the performances are easy to take. I must make note of two other people in the cast. Young Steven R. McQueen is the grandson of the famous movie legend who if he were still with us would be 78. He plays the jock rival for Chelsea Staub who Dolley is crushing out on. You look hard and you can see some resemblance to Steve McQueen, but his character here is hardly the rebel persona of say, Nevada Smith.

One other cast member, J.P. Manoux took his character of the snoopy, supercilious vice principal from that Disney television series, Phil of the Future, and brought it over intact for this film. He's a pretty funny guy, Manoux, he's the best reason for adults to watch Minuteman.

By the way the title is something that Dolley, Braun, and Benward dream up to call themselves. They outfit themselves in white snow gear like they were going on a secret military operation in the polar region.

Well you didn't think it meant anything else? After all this is a Disney production.

Disney always knew how to make a movie for all ages. Just remember legendary small WW car Herbie...This movie is about three youngsters in high-school which will become friends, and have a lot of troubles when they invent or better said "lend" time traveling equations from NASA. Apparently they build time traveling machine from microwave oven, projector and many other parts. As time passes they decide to use machine for helping people in school, which at first seems to go very good. But the most brightest student of all, finally understands they have created a black whole which will expand and destroy all town, and after that whole Earth. Physics in the movie is something awkward, but have in mind this is a movie just for entertainment.

All in all, this is a killer time movie worthing watching, if you have time to spare. It's funny, childish, but I do not see this as a problem, because we are all children, no matter how old we are.

I'm not a big fan of Disney Channel Original Movies (apart from the High School Musical films), so I was pleasantly surprised by Minutemen. I've only seen it twice so far, but it's become one of my favourite movies ever and definitely my favourite movie of 2008. The only reason it doesn't get a 10/10 is because it has that Disney Channel feel to it - and that's not a good thing in my opinion. But still, I can't wait to get the eventual DVD. I'll be there first day of sales! I don't know why some people don't like this movie, I mean, it's got a great young cast, a good story, good effects (for Disney Channel), so why the hate? Give this movie a chance. I'm sure you'll love it. I did.

The main characters in the cast were totally adorable, but it was kind of annoying when typical Disney made all the adults into stupid nut-cases who treat kids terribly. The plot was also fairly good, kids going back in time to save the geeks from embarrassment, but I think they got a little carried away towards the end with the black whole. When Charlie (the younger super-genius friend) ran into the FBI and suddenly exclaimed "four hours until the end of the world" I couldn't help but laugh, as it was just far too over-the-top. Overall the point of the movie was pretty cute though, accepting your past, learning popularity isn't everything, and loving your friends for who they are.

OK, first of all, I think all DCOMs are worth giving a chance. Except for the High School Musical movies, those actually sucked. To me, a lot of DCOMs have a level of maturity and/or seriousness in them. This is why they appeal to me so much, and I'm a 21-year-old guy. Anyway, Minutemen is about three teenagers who build a time machine together, and decide to use it to save their classmates from embarrassing moments. Yeah, I know that may sound corny to older audiences, but the boys will soon learn that even their heroic actions could lead to disastrous consequences. Jason Dolley, who played the lead character Virgil, was pretty good for his first starring DCOM role. I liked the possible messages that the movie tries to deliver, like everything happens for a reason. Or maybe the most worst moment in your life turns out to be the best thing to ever happen to you. In my opinion, DCOMs manage to get themes like this across without seeming corny at all. In conclusion, another excellent DCOM, great for all ages.