Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly surprised - a fantastic film!!!, 8 Sep 2005
This dvd of Hating Alison Ashley (finally brought to screen from Robin Klein's well known children's novel) is a great buy. I have to admit I was a little sceptical of it at first, but within the first ten minutes of the film my worries had certainly been forgotten.The story focuses on Erica Yurken and her trials as a teenager struggling to fulfill her extraordinary potential and become something, preferably a wonderful actress. Things turn from bad to worse when Alison Ashley, who is rich, pretty and clever, turns up on the scene and the two become arch enemies. True, the plotline is a typical 'girls hate each other and end up becoming friends' sort of thing, but there is a lot more in this film that stands out. The totally gorgeous Delta Goodrem (Alison Ashley) plays the apparently perfect new addition to the terrible class of 9C very well and it is so fantastic to see her back at work after her illness. But the real star is Saskia Burmeister. As Erica Yerken, or Yuk as she is affectionately known, Saskia delivers line after line perfectly and will have you howling in no time. I really hope this girl goes places in the future because she is outstanding. What impressed me most about this film was the cast of wreckless teenagers that we see as the notorious 9C. Each actor and actress has their part to play in the action and that they certainly do throughout. Every scene is so busy and the background events are almost as fascinating as what is going on in the foreground! And this amazing ensemble cast is held together by some wonderful lead roles too. Barry Hollis (a fully fledged pyromaniac bad boy played by Alexander Cappelli) is a great object of affections and Jean Kittson and Craig Machlachlan are superb as the teachers who wind up on camp desolation with the class from hell. As for Erica's family, they are so hilariously unbelievable that you will feel truly blessed to have your family, whatever your previous misgivings! Everyone who sees this film will find at least five things to identify with, I am sure. Whether it is the teacher who confiscates her students' cigarettes for personal consumption, the girl dreaming for a better future, the sister who thinks she is a horse or the girl just seeking for her mother's acknowledgement, there is something here for everyone to empathise with and, most importantly, to laugh at. Overall, Hating Alison Ashley has the comedy, the heartfelt moments, a great soundtrack and fits together so very well. It is one of those feel-good teenager movies perfect for a sleepover or a fantastic family laugh. However, the film also surpasses that to become a wonderful Australian depiction of an enchanting story with comedy that will have you splitting your sides in every scene. Well done to everyone involved! Now all you readers need to do is buy it!!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delta Goodrem's 1st movie is Better than the Book!, 21 Mar 2006
I love Delta Goodrem . . . listening to her music, watching her DVDs and on 'Neighbours' (when she was on) and reading about her in articles. When I found out that she was going to be in a new movie based on the 'Hating Alison Ashley' book which I had seen many times before and never read, I was excited and as I eagerly waited for its release in the meantime I read the book . . . which I must admit wasn't very exciting.
When the movie finally came out, Mum and I saw it and I thought it was fantastic!! Like most, if not all adaptations it made a few departures from the book (when doesn't that happen?), many of which was an improvement. Whereas in the book Erika immediately hates Alison "from the first moment I saw her", in the movie Erika actually tries to become friends with her, until Alison says or does something which makes Erika over-react and get defensive. Other changes are having the class 'up-graded' from 6C in the 1980's (book's setting/time of publication) to 9C today (therefore the kids are 14-15 and make references to some popularities), the role of Barry Hollis the bully is magnified, the Gym teacher is newly-created (played by Craig McLachlan), there is a lot of funny stuff with a love/hate-triangle and romance and any other changes made are mentioned in the Audio Commentary. Also, the original book had the class doing Photography, but that doesn't really make sense, since my classes and I didn't learn that until High School. But the one bit of the book that I wish was in the movie is when Alison Ashley shouts (at one of the stage-frightened kids before the play; in the movie it would have been perfect during Alison's confrontation with Erika and her attitude). However, just like the book, Erika is the Narrator of the story, wishing for a much better life in stardom away from her family.
The DVD is just as good to watch too! Before the Main Menu appears, there plays a series of clips from the movie with a catchy tune 'Now we've found eachother! Girl, you're like no other, yeah!!". The Main Menu is in Widescreen (a first!) and the Special Features are 'Behind-the-Scenes' (25 mins on the Making of the Movie), Interviews (with Delta (Alison), Saskia Burmeister (Erika), Jean Kittson (Miss Belmont), Director Geoff Bennett, Producer Elizabeth Howart-Jackman and Writer Christine Madafferi), an Audio Commentary by Geoff Bennett and Director-of-Photography Steve Newman (they talk about the movie, actors, changes, etc.), the Teaser and Original Theatrical Trailers, Music Video of "Green Eyed World" by the Blips feat. Amiel (Stupid Love Song, Obsession (I Love You), a Recording of the 'Red Carpet Premiere' (which has 2 Special Guest Stars not in the movie but involved with Delta) and a Photo Gallery (stills from the movie). It's too bad how the Original Trailer doesn't have the funny "Don't eat junk food" bit, which was on the CD TV Spot, which should've been included on the DVD.
It's interesting to note, that it's because of 'Neighbours' that Delta Goodrem got into 'Hating Alison Ashley' and it's because of 'Hating Alison Ashley' that Alexander Capelli (Barry Hollis) got into 'Neighbours'! It must also be known that just because a character's name is the story's title, that DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THAT THEY ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER!! The story is about ERIKA HATING Alison, not Alison's story/life!
The Movie is a Great Watch and the DVD is an Excellent Entertainment. Just one more thing: How can this Modern-Day Movie on a New DVD have NO SUB-TITLES?!
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hating Alison Ashley, 2 Feb 2006
I got the film because i think delta goodrem is amazing and after seeing her in neighbours i wanted to see hating alison ashley and i got it and thought that it was amazing and it has become one of my favourite films. Also the hating alison ashley soundtrack is superb so if you haven't got it get it watch it and be amazed
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