An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars #Review #DVD

AN AMERICAN GIRL:

MCKENNA SHOOTS FOR THE STARS^™

Available on Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack – Featuring DVD, Digital Copy & UltraViolet^™ – and DVD

Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart, American Girl Stores and americangirl.com

 Scheduled to Air on Saturday July 14, 2012 at 8/7c on NBC

A talented young gymnast turns trials into triumphs in the inspiring new feature-length movie, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars^™, coming to Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital Download on July 3, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  Inspired by the beloved American Girl^® line of dolls and featuring the celebrated 2012 Girl of the Year^®, the film stars Oscar^® nominee 

Nia Vardalos (My Life In Ruins, My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Jade Pettyjohn (“The United States of Tara”) as McKenna^™, Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210”), Kerris Dorsey (Moneyball, “Brothers & Sisters”) and former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby (Broadway’s “Peter Pan”).  

A modern and heartwarming original story about a young girl whose dream to compete as a world class gymnast is jeopardized when she begins to have trouble in school, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars^™ helps girls learn to believe not only in their family and friends but also themselves.  With more than 139 million books and 21 million dolls sold, American Girl^® has earned the loyalty of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators.  Just in time for the Summer Games, this fun family film on Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack and DVD is available only at Wal-Mart, American Girl^® retail stores and americangirl.com.  A must-own addition for American Girl^® fans, the film can also be purchased via Digital Download through a variety of online retailers. 

The An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars^™ Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack delivers the film in perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound.  The Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack also includes UltraViolet^™, a DVD, and a 

Digital Copy of the film – so consumers can truly enjoy the movie anytime, anywhere, on the device of their choice!  UltraViolet^™ is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows and put them in the cloud.  From there, they can download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones.  In addition, consumers can redeem a Digital Copy of the film from a variety of retail partners, who offer many viewing options including iTunes^®, iPad^®, iPhone^®, iPod^™ touch, Android, connected televisions, Blu-ray player apps and more! This was a fun, family oriented film that fits in well with the American Girl series of movies. The movie brings out some salient messages that I love to share with my own girls in relation to friendship, teamwork and perseverance.

SYNOPSIS

Meet McKenna Brooks^™, a determined and confident young gymnast, in this all-new modern-day adventure. McKenna^™ is on track to make the regional competitive gymnastics team but off-track in school, where she’s suddenly struggling to keep up.  When her teacher suggests a tutor, she’s embarrassed and desperate to keep it a secret from her friends. Then a bad fall at the gym sidetracks her from her favorite sport.  Will she recover in time to make the team? Can she succeed in school, too?  McKenna^™ needs to focus on her strengths to overcome her challenges – and, with the help of family and friends, find a way to believe in herself again.

MY THOUGHTS
The kids and I had movie night recently and watched this film!  Perfect timing with the Olympics gearing up to start soon too! I have enjoyed all the other American Girl films and this one did not disappoint.  It tackled so many issues and was truly a remarkable film.  It teaches kids that your education come first, teaches them about friendship, how to overcome setbacks in life, making difficult choices and more.

This was a great family oriented film that fits in well with the American Girl series of movies. If you have an American Girl fan or even a gymnastics fan in the house, they will love this film! Perseverance pay off!

CAST AND FILMMAKERS:

Cast: Nia Vardalos, Ian Ziering, Cathy Rigby, Kerris Dorsey, Jade Pettyjohn

Directed By: Vince Marcello

Based on the “McKenna” stories by: Mary Casanova

Teleplay By: Jessica O’Toole, Amy Rardin

Executive Producers: Steven Brown, Gaylyn Fraiche

Producers:  Debra Martin Chase, Ellen L.Brothers

Co-Producers: Erin Falligant, Ellen Rutter, Kim Todd

Director of Photography: Jon Joffin

Edited By: Paul Millspaugh

Production Designer: Craig Sandells

Costume Designer: Mary Partridge

AN AMERICAN GIRL: MCKENNA SHOOTS FOR THE STARS arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on July 3,2012 at American Girl^®retail stores, Wal-Mart or www.americangirl.com. The film will also air on July 14, 2012 at 8pm/7pm central on NBC.