Parent Movie Guide, Parental Site.com - Review: College Road Trip

	Film Title: College Road Trip		Best for ages: 6 and up.

	Movie Website: Click Here	Year Released: 2008	Rated: G (US) G (CANADA)

SYNOPSIS
College Road Trip stars comedian Martin Lawrence as Police Chief James Porter, an overprotective father who has been part of every aspect of his daughter Melanie's (Raven-Symoné) life since she was born. Now that she is about to graduate High School he has plans for her to go to college at North Western University, which happens to be very close to where they live. However Melanie has a real interest in becoming a lawyer and is very interested in attending Georgetown University in Washington D.C., James is not to happy with her decision and takes her on a three day road trip to visit Georgetown so she can make it there on a Monday morning for interviews that will hopefully help get into the Law study program there. But James has other plans and will do anything to keep his daughter from going away to school. However getting to Georgetown in three days becomes more of an adventure than they bargain for as they run into many roadblocks along the way which may prevent them from getting there in time. Now, in order to make her dreams come true Melanie will have to try to convince her father that she is a trustworthy person who only wants to do the right things in life and get a good education.
VIOLENCE/GRAPHIC CONTENT/language
I have to once again give Disney a lot of credit here. Not only did they manage to make a G rated movie starring Martin Lawrence, but they also managed to make it funnier than the average PG-13 horror film, without bad fart jokes and swearing. There are a few things that might concern parents in this film, but nothing so bad or over the top that you might not want your kids to watch this film. Such things that might be considered mildly violent is a scene in which James Porter is shooting a gun in a police target range, While overhearing his co-workers talk about being scared to have teenage daughters, he grabs bigger and bigger guns and shoots at the targets dead on. There is also scenes where he uses a stun gun on other people and also one is used on himself when he is caught in a girls sorority house while spying on his daughter. Speaking of some mild violence there are a few scenes that do involve psychical contact but are used in a comedic way. During one scene the family pig ruins a wedding at the hotel they are staying out. The Pig eats coffee beans out of a garbage cans and has a major caffeine buzz, causing him to go wild. He falls though the tent as the brides father is giving a speech in which the groom scrams out "Pig" this insults his bride who punches him in the face. during this scene the who tent collapses and people are hit with fallen debris, but no one seems to get hurt. There is also a scene in which James is peeking in the bedroom window of the sorority house when the ladder he is standing on falls put from underneath him and he is left holding on to the window hanging a good two stories up while trying to get into the window. Latter he is seen hiding under a bed while his daughter and her friends are sleeping above him. There is also one other scene where James and Melanie sky dive out of a plane and land on a golf course where it just so happens the brides father of the wedding they crashed is playing golf. They land on him and send him flying into a nearby pond. This leads to an all out golf cart chase scene where a mock sword fight takes place with the use of golf clubs. As far as bad language there really is not much to worry about, words like "crap" are used once during a scene in the car, and "Oh my God" is tossed around a few times. There are also a few insults thrown around here and there, but they relate to the story and are intended as inside jokes that relate to certain characters in the film.
OVERALL VIEWS
College Road Trip was such a surprise, I really did not expect it to be as good and funny as it was. I was very, very surprised that Martin Lawrence was able to play a role in a film that the MPAA deemed suitable enough for a G rating. Especially with Marin Lawrence in it, who is known more for acting in adult comedies and action films. It just goes to show that Lawrence can also act in good wholesome films that only Disney can produce. The good thing about this film is that it's not just for children to enjoy, but adults also. It's the perfect family film for all to enjoy. The kids will see some of their favorite fDisney channel actors in this film such as Raven-Symoné of "That's So Raven", Brenda Song from "The Suite Life", and Lucas Grabeel of "High School Musical". Parents can relate to a lot of the situations that go on in this film as I'm sure there are plenty of issues addressed in this film that they all have put up with when it comes to their children. It's really a great Father-Daughter relationship film, and although my daughter is still young, I found myself relating a lot to Martin Lawrence's character James Porter. Donny Osmond also has a supporting role in the film as an overactive father who is also with his daughter on a College road trip as well. His role is not only very annoying, but very funny as well. Overall, College Road Trip delivers on all levels of great entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. It's a really funny movie that had me rolling on the floor laughing during some scenes. One of the best actors in the film is the family's pet pig, whom really had me laughing a lot though this film, and plays a big part in the movie. It's an overall great family fun, that's well worth buying on DVD. This DVD is packed with special features that include a Gag Reel, and Alternate Beginning and ending to the film, Deleted Scenes with optional directors commentary. Two audio commentaries with Director Roger Kumble and Raven-Symoné , as well as with the films writers. There is also two featurettes on titled On the Set: Double Dutch Bus, as well as Raven's Video Diary, and a music video for "Double Dutch Bus" performed by Raven-Symoné .
BUY THIS MOVIE.