{"id":15362,"date":"2014-11-17T01:18:21","date_gmt":"2014-11-17T06:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=15362"},"modified":"2015-07-02T19:22:29","modified_gmt":"2015-07-02T23:22:29","slug":"100-things-to-do-before-high-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/17\/100-things-to-do-before-high-school\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Things to Do Before High School"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You really have to give it to Nickelodeon. They\u2019re in no position to mock Disney, since their programs are superior and garner bigger ratings, but they waste no time in ridiculing the company. The TV movie for \u201c100 Things to Do Before High School\u201d which is supposed to open the door for a series next year, spoofs \u201cHigh School Musical,\u201d and most of the movie rips on \u201cStar Wars\u201d big time. That said, while it\u2019s derivative, \u201c100 Things to Do Before High School\u201d is a fun tween dramedy that might be the teen oriented hit Nick has been looking for, for a while now. I got shades of \u201cNed\u2019s DeClassified School Survival Guide,\u201d but I really enjoyed the TV movie for \u201c100 Things to Do Before High School.\u201d<\/p>\n

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It introduces its universe of quirky characters and strict authoritarian adult characters quite well in a short time. Though it\u2019s only an hour in length, \u201c100 Things to Do Before High School\u201d works on its own as a self contained TV movie that introduces a slew of really entertaining characters. Disney hasn\u2019t reached in to the tween condition this well in years, and I hope this keeps up a momentum on the channel, if anything. When they\u2019re not ripping off Disney, Nick is all about creating obnoxious series\u2019 and milking \u201cSpongebob\u201d these days. Commentary aside, \u201c100 Things to Do Before High School\u201d is an adorable and very funny coming of age movie centered on young CJ, who is looking forward to high school.<\/p>\n

During her favorite musical which is a hilarious mix of \u201cHigh School Musical\u201d and \u201cGlee,\u201d her big brother insists that high school is nothing like what she\u2019s watching, and she should be prepared for a massive change. Entering in to her final year of middle school, CJ is already noticing the changes, as two of her best friends have split in different directions. Nerdy Fenwick is dismissing all social traditions to focus on school work, while the once awkward Crispo is now popular and attracting the most popular girl in school. CJ refuses to accept change and gathers her friends for one last adventure, attempting to free a raccoon her science teacher caught and is imprisoning as revenge. The whole of \u201c100 Things to Do Before High School\u201d relies on the performances, and thankfully Isabela Moner gives a top notch performance.<\/p>\n

She has quick comic timing, she\u2019s charming, and she keeps CJ consistently worth rooting for. She\u2019s definitely the highlight and can keep the show afloat when it officially premieres. I also especially enjoyed Jack De Sena as the school guidance counselor who shockingly takes pity on the trio when their noble plan goes from bad to worse. I\u2019d like to see a lot more character development with Crispo, and Fenwick since they just feel like broadly drawn supporting players, but I\u2019m sure the series will touch on that soon enough. \u201c\u201c100 Things to Do Before High School\u201d is a fun introduction to a series I hope ends up being more \u201cPete & Pete\u201d and \u201cNed\u2019s DeClassified…\u201d and much less \u201cVictorious\u201d and \u201cSam and Cat.\u201d<\/p>\n