In 2013, Disney Channel produced only one original movie, but it was an instant success. Teen Beach Movie premiered in the summer and the first airing became the second highest rated DCOM behind High School Musical 2. It catapulted Ross Lynch to the top spot amongst the cavalcade of current Disney Channel Stars and it was a no-brainer that a sequel would follow.
Teen Beach 2 is a huge improvement in regards to story quality. The first film found teens Brady and Mack sucked into a teen beach musical from the 1960’s. It played like a cross between Pleasantville and any Annette Funicello beach movie from the era. Its strengths were the songs and the way the modern characters affected the movie they were in, but it suffered from a horrible wacky villain subplot. Subsequent attempts to watch it proved that it didn’t quite have the same magic as the HSM series and to say that my expectations for the sequel were low is an understatement.
However, Teen Beach 2 is a much more enjoyable film and ranks towards the top of the more recent DCOM era. This time around, stars of the film Wet Side Story cross over into our world. Brady and Mack are heading in opposite directions when Lela and Tanner magically teleport to the real world using the necklace Mack gave Lela in the first film. As both characters become more modern, the cast of the film begin to disappear. Some of their friends arrive to warn them and then it becomes an exciting race to return things to normal. The only problem is that Lela is unhappy with the way things used to be, tired of saying lines that don’t represent her real thoughts.
Teen Beach 2 has a great message for teens that it’s important to not lose yourself in the ideas of who others expect you to be. The character of Lela becomes an instant role model for not succumbing to peer pressure. And with a fantastically unexpected twist ending, is sure to leave a lasting impression. The film debuted on Disney Channel on Friday, June 26th and for the first time ever the DVD was available on the same day.
Video
The standard definition presentation is fine, but can’t compete with the HD broadcast, the way many viewers originally experienced the film. It has a softer look and loss of some details compared to the HD version. Those looking for more lines of resolution should check iTunes, where the movie can be purchased in HD.
Audio
Audio options on this disc are English, French and Spanish 2.0. The disc also features subtitles for all three languages.
Bonus Features
The only bonus feature is the “exclusive” Case Dance Rehearsals, which runs almost seven minutes long. It’s a fun look behind-the-scenes at the rehearsals and filmings of some of the biggest songs in the film, including “Gotta Be Me” and “That’s How We Do.”
There is one physical bonus with the initial release. A replica of Lela’s friendship necklace from the film is found inside the case. The metal pendant features a beaded chain made of plastic peals and a metal clasp.
Packaging & Design
Teen Beach 2 is housed in a standard black DVD case. The disc doesn’t feature any artwork. The case is housed in an embossed slipcover. There are three inserts, the first being the friendship necklace (for more information, see Bonus Features). There is also the standard Disney Movie Rewards code and Disney Movie Club inserts. The DMR code gets you 100 points and unlocks an exclusive sneak preview of Descendants. If you buy Descendants on DVD (available 7/31), you can get a bonus 100 points.
This DVD offers Disney’s Fast Play. If you let the feature run its course, you get ads for Aladdin Diamond Edition and KC Undercover before the movie plays. From the main menu, selecting Sneak Peeks merely repeats these two ads.
Final Thoughts
Teen Beach 2 is one of the best DCOMs in a long time and actually improves upon the original. Fans of the film will be happy to have it on DVD along with Lela’s necklace. However, Disney could have added value with a few more bonus features, such a sing-along option.