CORY IN THE HOUSE: NEWT & IMPROVED EDITION
(not rated)
MOVIE: *** (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *1/2 (out of 5)
STARRING
Kyle Massey as CORY BAXTER
Rondell Sheridan as VICTOR BAXTER
Maiara Walsh as MEENA PAROOM
Jason Dolley as NEWT LIVINGSTON
Madison Pettis as SOPHIE
John D’Aquino as PRESIDENT RICHARD MARTINEZ
Lisa Kushell as SAMANTHA SAMUELS
Studio: Disney Channel
BY KEVIN CARR
While I never liked the series “That’s So Raven,” the spin-off show “Cory in the House” has grown on me a bit. I have to admit that a lot of this is due to how much my two sons love the show. As a parent, I am very much susceptible to this kind of influence.
Kyle Massey, who often took a back seat to Raven in the original show, is allowed to shine as the serial entrepreneur Cory Baxter, whose father works as the White House chef. Along with his friends Newt (Jason Dolley) and Meena (Maiara Walsh), Cory tries new schemes to make money and become the most popular guy in school.
The latest release “Cory in the House: Newt & Improved Edition” has been dropped to coincide with Jason Dolley’s latest Disney Channel film “Minutemen.” Since the show has been on for the past year, the actors have had a chance to gel in their parts. Cory is meddling in more than just get-rich-quick scheme (including trying to impress girls and write hit songs), and the supporting cast is getting more involved.
Additionally, the President’s daughter Sophie (Madison Pettis) is given more spunk and has grown as an actor. She’s not just there to be cute, but to be Cory’s nemesis, sort of like a human Tweety Bird. With the development of the show, “Cory in the House” has a chance to shine as well as “The Suite Life” does with the boy audience.
Episodes featured include “The Presidential Seal,” “Through the Roof,” “Lip Service” and the never-before-seen “Peace, Love and Misunderstanding.” There’s also one DVD extra, which is a tour of the set and description of how an episode is made, featuring Kyle Massey.