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Release Date: September 7th, 2010 Movie Release Year: 2010

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam

Overview -

Mitchie, Shane, Jason, Nate and their friends return to Camp Rock for another great summer of music and fun. However they soon learn that a new state-of-the-art music/performance camp, Camp Star, has opened across the lake and has lured away many of Camp Rock instructors and campers -- putting the future of Camp Rock in jeopardy. And when Camp Star's hotshot performer, Luke Williams, challenges Camp Rock to a musical showdown to see which camp really has the stronger musical talent, everyone prepares for the ultimate battle of the bands. Meanwhile, in a classic "Romeo and Juliet" twist, Nate falls for the daughter of the owner of the rival camp.

OVERALL:
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Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/MPEG-4 AVC
Length:
104
Aspect Ratio(s):
1.78:1
Audio Formats:
English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles/Captions:
English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Dutch
Special Features:
Rock-Along
Release Date:
September 7th, 2010

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

Those silly Jonas Brothers. Disney and its merry band of singing pop-tarts are at it again with 'Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.' When I reviewed 'Jonas Brothers in Concert' during my early days at High-Def Digest, I felt I really couldn't judge the Jonas Brothers, having not been a fan or listened to any of their music up until then. Now it's a different story. I feel like I can judge them because I've suffered through them in concert, and I even stuck it through to watch them in red/blue 3-D. I've sat through countless episodes of their Disney Channel dreck as my little eight year-old sister fawned over them. I've taken my Jonas Brothers punches, and in my view, I can now pass judgment on this clan of wannabe rockers:

They stink!

There, it's out there and I can't take it back. It's time to speak out.

Sitting through 'Camp Rock 2' was just painful. I knew going in it would be crappy, but not this crappy! I just had no idea. Have you ever watched a movie where you're sure that the screenwriters and the director are cyborgs stuck on bland pop-culture autopilot and all they come up with are bad high school clichés, hackneyed writing, and ridiculous romantic situations?

To make matters worse, this year at Camp Rock, a new camp, Camp Star(!), has opened up next to them to steal their business. If having one camp full of hormone-driven teenagers wasn't enough, now there are two, and the director of the other camp is certain he's going to run Camp Rock into the ground.

He's the typical bad guy. Greedy, bad British accent, doesn't care about the kids, and just wants fame and fortune. While the good camp director for Camp Rock, wants the kids to have fun, learn, and grow. Hmmm… Wonder who we're supposed to be rooting for.

'Camp Rock' is full of all kinds of synthesized, auto-tuned songs from each one of the main characters. It's a musical, because people will break into song and dance without any provocation. The music is the generic bubble-gum rock that could just about be purchased from vending machines in the mall next to American Eagle.

I don't know how parents deal with this barrage of underage popstars flooding their homes with terrible, albeit catchy (in a very bad way) tunes. I recently reviewed the new 'Tinker Bell' movie, and said that Disney catches a lot of flack for its straight to home video stuff. Well, 'Camp Rock' is one of many reasons why. While Disney can put out some wonderful animated movies, they're still producing these pieces of crap full of faux-musicians.

In short, if your kids start begging to have this movie, pretend you suddenly went deaf and can't hear a word their saying, because their crying will be no comparison to the assault on your ears that you'll receive when you bring 'Camp Rock 2' into your home. We can only hope Jason takes a vacation from Crystal Lake in the future and visits Camp Rock for a relaxing music/gore-filled getaway.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

This sequel arrives on a BD-50, with a DVD and Digital Copy included, in case you want to take 'Camp Rock 2' on the road with you and relive the horror again and again. Coded for region A.

Video Review

Ranking:

At least you know you're getting a good looking transfer. I'll be brief.

The 1080p AVC-encoded image accompanying 'Camp Rock 2' is bright, solid, and colorful. Green is the dominant color, and it thrives, as the camps are nestled in the woods surrounding a lake. Skintones are very natural looking; never taking on any type of reddening that is often seen with quickly produced, low-budget made-for-TV productions. Where the transfer trips up is in the black department. Contrast is fine during daylight scenes, but when the sun creeps behind the hills and twilight approaches, detail becomes lost and contrast seems slightly wonky. Crushing is an offender whenever the lights are turned down low, obscuring objects, faces and details. Technical anomalies are kept at bay, so there's no blocking or banding, even as the giant strobe lights flash during some of the performances.

All in all, this is a respectable Blu-ray release in the video department.

Audio Review

Ranking:

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound experience blasts fake sounding pop music with precision and clarity. I'll give 'Camp Rock 2' this, it's much better sounding that the recent release of 'Glee.'

The surrounds are crisper and much more engaged, the musical numbers seem full of life (even though the lyrics themselves do not). LFE booms during the hip-hop related numbers, and stays engaged, but slightly more reserved during the other songs. Dialogue is nicely prioritized and intelligible, with whispers and far-off yells sounding crystal clear. Directionality is perfect too, as the Jonas Brothers yell at each other off screen.

So, what does this all mean? It means your kids will love it, and that you'll have to resort to ear plugs. Good luck.

Special Features

Ranking:
  • Rock-Along (HD) – If you watch the movie with this engaged whenever a song comes on words appear and you can sing along to the songs. Camp Rock Karaoke!

Final Thoughts

I feel sorry for the parents who get talked into buying this for their kids, I really do. There's so much other stuff from Disney that they could be spending their time with, why waste it on this? Anyway, if you're serious about making your house a sanctuary for all things Jonas, then be happy that this has pretty good video and some well done audio. Overall I have to say skip this one.