This commentary will reflect the three aspects of my life: educator, parent, and adult.
As a middle school teacher, there have been many students who have enjoyed the Upside Down Magic series. The kids have loved discussing the books with each other - but I never saw the draw. A poorly written Harry Potter rip off was the impression I was left with after each discussion with my students.
As a parent, (my oldest is now 20), I have watched Disney Channel series and movies ad nauseam. Wizards of Waverly Place, Halloweentown, Suite Life, Hannah Montana, you all know them - the list goes on. So when my daughter was home from school during the summer, we decided to give Upside Down Magic a try. What really intrigued us was when we found out that Upside Down Magic had the same screenwriter as Ramona and Beezus (an all time favorite of my daughter from her tween years), Nick Pustay. That sealed the deal!
We were NOT disappointed. Mr Pustay worked what those in the know have referred to as his "tween whisperer" magic. He transformed a predictable and boring book series into an exciting, interesting, and life-lesson learning piece of cinema!
As an adult, I was able to reflect on the lessons taught during the movie. While other reviewers claim the morality was lax, I, respectfully, would have to disagree. The loyalty to your friends is outstanding! The students ability to respect different viewpoints, ways of living, and talents is sorely missing in our current society. The screenwriter brings a message of hope and understanding in the guise of an adequate HP clone - EXCEPTIONAL!
I hope the big wigs at Disney take time to go and read the quality reviews of Mr Pustay's screenplay. Without his ability to reach the demographic (tweens), this movie would have fallen flat. No doubt a sequel (or series - dare I hope) should be in the offing!! Hats off to you, Nick Pustay - Tween Whisperer!!
As a middle school teacher, there have been many students who have enjoyed the Upside Down Magic series. The kids have loved discussing the books with each other - but I never saw the draw. A poorly written Harry Potter rip off was the impression I was left with after each discussion with my students.
As a parent, (my oldest is now 20), I have watched Disney Channel series and movies ad nauseam. Wizards of Waverly Place, Halloweentown, Suite Life, Hannah Montana, you all know them - the list goes on. So when my daughter was home from school during the summer, we decided to give Upside Down Magic a try. What really intrigued us was when we found out that Upside Down Magic had the same screenwriter as Ramona and Beezus (an all time favorite of my daughter from her tween years), Nick Pustay. That sealed the deal!
We were NOT disappointed. Mr Pustay worked what those in the know have referred to as his "tween whisperer" magic. He transformed a predictable and boring book series into an exciting, interesting, and life-lesson learning piece of cinema!
As an adult, I was able to reflect on the lessons taught during the movie. While other reviewers claim the morality was lax, I, respectfully, would have to disagree. The loyalty to your friends is outstanding! The students ability to respect different viewpoints, ways of living, and talents is sorely missing in our current society. The screenwriter brings a message of hope and understanding in the guise of an adequate HP clone - EXCEPTIONAL!
I hope the big wigs at Disney take time to go and read the quality reviews of Mr Pustay's screenplay. Without his ability to reach the demographic (tweens), this movie would have fallen flat. No doubt a sequel (or series - dare I hope) should be in the offing!! Hats off to you, Nick Pustay - Tween Whisperer!!