She's the Man DVD: Review By kaismith

The writer of 10 Things I hate About You and Legally Blonde, Karen McCullah Lutz teamed up with Ewan Leslie to write She's the Man staring Amanda Bynes (you might remember her cute as a button face from All That or the more recent TV series she stars on What I like About You with 90210's Jennie Garth).

In the tradition of the 80's favorite Just One of The Guys and inspired by the Twelfth Night, Viola (Amanda Bynes), just like Countess Viola in Twelfth Night, is in love with soccer. So when her school cancels the girl's team and she is mocked when she tries to join the boy's, Viola disguises herself as her twin brother (who has conveniently left the country for a bit) and joins the soccer team at a rival school.

The premise is cute and director Andy Fickman (best known for work on Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical) does a great job getting great performances out of the actors and moves the film a long at a decent pace. While the plot doesn't follow the Shakespearian play word for word it certainly is an entertaining and humorous update with many twists and turns.

Rising star Channing Tatum, (plays Duke) recently in the theatrical release Step Up, stars opposite Bynes as her hunky yet sensitive love interest. This former Abercrombie and Finch model certainly is earning my respect in his last couple films. He is proving his skills are sharp and that he doesn't just have a pretty face and chiseled Adonis body.

Director and Cast Commentary featuring Amanda Bynes

Deleted Scenes

There is a reason why these were cut and they made a wise decision. Many were just too lengthy and really didn't add anything to the overall story line. But interesting to watch anyway apart from the final product. More of David Cross acting strange, wickedly inappropriate and just ridiculous.

Making the Man

This is a pretty standard featurette explaining how the cast and crew combined their talents to complete the film. Many writers and the producer are interviewed but the director's featured many times as he explains his direction process and help he acquired to create authentic soccer shots. He talks about locations and the challenges encountered on set. Very stylized graphics used to transition and it also displays chemistry of the cast and the good time they had on set.

Gag Reel

The gag reel features funny and goofy moments with cast members just letting it loose on camera. Many missed lines, burps and crossed eyes.

"Let's Go" - Dave Lichens Music Video

This is the film's catchy main theme song music video. Stars from the film make special appearances.

Cast Photo Album

This section is just photos of the cast members while on set.

Pop-Up Trivia

Inspired by Shakespeare ...

As I mentioned earlier this was inspired by the Shakespearian play the Twelfth Night. Basically this covers the whole idea behind their decision to seek inspiration from Shakespeare and how they went about integrating plot twists and other samplings from the play into the film. The director makes it clear that he is not trying to remake the play but pay homage to it and he does so very tastefully.

The Troupe

A featurette that focuses more on the actors and characters although introduced as a tribute to the cast AND CREW.

Widescreen - enhanced for 16:9. The film looks great and the make up and costume department get a kudos because Bynes did look like a boy (a boy with ample cheeks but a boy nonetheless).

Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish tracks. Only English subtitles are available. The soundtrack to this is pretty kick ass and alone is worth the purchase.

Centered is Bynes smirking in a red top and black skirt. Behind her are Tatum and other supporting characters set against a white background. Just behind their heads is text summing up the plot and fading into the background.

On the back are scene stills and a plot synopsis and I can't for get the special features list.

If you are a fan of Tatum and Bynes or even Shakespeare, you'll enjoy this film. I adored the flick but there were several continuity errors; although, many are easily forgivable. Certainly a film that is accessible to all ages.