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| Disney; TV-G; 90 minutes |
Based on the musical Freaky Friday: A New Musical by Bridget Carpenter, which is also based on the 1972 children's book "Freaky Friday" by Mary Rodgers, the 2018 Disney Channel film stars Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Ellie; Heidi Blickenstaff as Katherine; Ricky He as Adam; Alex Désert as Mike; and Jason Maybaum as Fletcher.
Directed by Steve Carr, the movie centers around teenager Ellie and her over-organized mother, Katherine, who accidentally switch bodies after they both touch a magical hourglasses at the same time. Of course, this event happens the day before Katherine's wedding to Mike Harper.
After breaking the hourglass (which was given to Ellie by her late father), they decide the best option to switch back to their own bodies is to track down the other hourglass that Ellie's father had given to Katherine. However, there is one problem, Katherine sold the hourglass to an antique store.
Katherine and Ellie must live in the other's shoes for the entire day, until they can find the hourglass. Katherine has to go to school, deal with her daughter's bully, and participate in a scavenger hunt. Ellie must act like her mother so you can fool a wedding journalist and photographer. Plus, she has to help Mike with the last minute wedding decisions.
Bonus Features include:
- Bonus Track - "Not Myself Today"
- Blooper Reel
- Audition/Movie Song Mix Up
- "Today and Ev'ry Day" - Musical fun of the actual song mixed up with the audition/rehearsal footage.
Final Thoughts
This is the fourth film adaptation of the Mary Rodger's children's book, but it's also based on the Disney Theatrical Productions stage adaptation. I've never seen the latter, so I have no clue if the 2018 Disney Channel movie goes by the play version. I will say this - the new Freaky Friday is extremely corny and not in a campy fun way. The entire script is a complete mess. It barely resembles the original novel and it borrows heavily from the 1976 and 2003 films. The acting is mostly horrible, especially from Heidi Blickenstaff as the mother, Katherine. The actress can sing, but every line of dialogue that comes out of her mouth is cringeworthy. Cozi Zuehlsdorff's acting is slightly better and at least the girl can sing.
Turning Freaky Friday into a musical should have been a fun experience, but it's a complete disaster with dumb subplots, bad acting, and silly song. While the picture and sound quality on the DVD is great, there are only 6 minutes worth of extras.
Overall, I didn't enjoy the Freaky Friday the musical. I recommend watching the 1976 classic and the 2003 remake instead.
All opinions are my own.
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