This film goes to show that you can be on top of the world and fall all the way down. With "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins","Wild Hogs" and now "College Road Trip" under Lawrence's belt, i don't know how much more he can take. This movie is pretty standard "Cheaper by the Dozen" film. With all the sight gags and kiddy jokes about pigs and dancing, and, of course the soft spot for tolerance. Donny Osmond was straight forward in this film and Lawrence was really exaggerated as a goofy dad. Raven Symone played a OK part, but not a real big leap forward for the young actress. Of course, this doesn't mean the film is all bad. The movie, in its quirky way is funny. With its zany comedy style, like animal humor and kiss jokes...this film reaches to little kids. If you have young ones, this wont be bad for them, but for you...its okay.
73 Reviews
It's Not All That Bad, It Could Be Worse
puffball9720 March 2008
I have never seen a Martin Lawrence movie before, and this movie did make me into a new fan. I have seen his material here and there, but his material never has grabbed me. But today, I went with my mother and my eight-year-old niece to see "College Road Trip." I fully expected to be disappointed, but it turned out to be okay for me. Not the best and not the worst, but entertaining here and there.
The story goes that Raven Symone is Melanie, who aspires to become a lawyer at Northwestern University in her hometown suburban Chicago, but gets a letter of acceptance to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Her three girlfriends are going, and she wants to go to. But her father James (Lawrence) fears losing his little girl, and wants to accompany her on the trip. Tagging along is her little brother Trey and their pet pig Albert, who hide in the trunk the first quarter of the journey. That leaves behind Mom Michelle (Kym Whitley).
On the way, they stop at Northwestern University, and who do they run into - Donny Osmond as Doug Greenhut and Molly Ephraim as his daughter Wendy. Both have the same exact aspirations - She wants to go to Georgetown and he tags along with her. And when James and Melanie make pitstops, Doug and Wendy end up at those same stops. Doug and Wendy's annoyingly overperky behavior and singing and dancing are the highlights of this movie. They are so loud they make James and Melanie cringe, but they always pop up at the same stops. And when James' car breaks down, they get into Doug and Wendy's truck. But my real favorite part is when they lose Doug and Wendy along the way, get on a bus, and get all the Asian tourists to sing and dance to Frankie Smith's 1981 hit, "Double Dutch Bus."
As James and Melanie get closer, they visit James' mother in Pittsburgh, and James gets to come to terms with his long lost mother about letting go of children. Finally, they sky dive all the way to Georgetown, where, who else, Wendy becomes Melanie's roommate and then the two would head to Japan.
Donny Osmond and the pig do take away from Martin Lawrence's and Raven Symone's performances. The pig is funny, especially when Lawrence disguises him as a baby in a quaint hotel where no pets are allowed and then makes a big mess at a wedding taking place at that hotel. Osmond's preppy, squeaky clean, teen idol image is played to great exaggeration, his character's wife and daughter add to the perkiness. But Martin Lawrence and his family are sadly undermined by Donny Osmond and the pig, which is the film's major weakness. For 83 minutes, it is not super slow, it does go fast, but there are bumps and curves along, and then there is forced sentiment, when Melanie finally gets to say goodbye to her parents, amid the manic craziness. Martin Lawrence, like many comedians of his generation who turn to movies, is more of a comedian and less of an actor whose performances often resort to overacted slapstick.
The story goes that Raven Symone is Melanie, who aspires to become a lawyer at Northwestern University in her hometown suburban Chicago, but gets a letter of acceptance to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Her three girlfriends are going, and she wants to go to. But her father James (Lawrence) fears losing his little girl, and wants to accompany her on the trip. Tagging along is her little brother Trey and their pet pig Albert, who hide in the trunk the first quarter of the journey. That leaves behind Mom Michelle (Kym Whitley).
On the way, they stop at Northwestern University, and who do they run into - Donny Osmond as Doug Greenhut and Molly Ephraim as his daughter Wendy. Both have the same exact aspirations - She wants to go to Georgetown and he tags along with her. And when James and Melanie make pitstops, Doug and Wendy end up at those same stops. Doug and Wendy's annoyingly overperky behavior and singing and dancing are the highlights of this movie. They are so loud they make James and Melanie cringe, but they always pop up at the same stops. And when James' car breaks down, they get into Doug and Wendy's truck. But my real favorite part is when they lose Doug and Wendy along the way, get on a bus, and get all the Asian tourists to sing and dance to Frankie Smith's 1981 hit, "Double Dutch Bus."
As James and Melanie get closer, they visit James' mother in Pittsburgh, and James gets to come to terms with his long lost mother about letting go of children. Finally, they sky dive all the way to Georgetown, where, who else, Wendy becomes Melanie's roommate and then the two would head to Japan.
Donny Osmond and the pig do take away from Martin Lawrence's and Raven Symone's performances. The pig is funny, especially when Lawrence disguises him as a baby in a quaint hotel where no pets are allowed and then makes a big mess at a wedding taking place at that hotel. Osmond's preppy, squeaky clean, teen idol image is played to great exaggeration, his character's wife and daughter add to the perkiness. But Martin Lawrence and his family are sadly undermined by Donny Osmond and the pig, which is the film's major weakness. For 83 minutes, it is not super slow, it does go fast, but there are bumps and curves along, and then there is forced sentiment, when Melanie finally gets to say goodbye to her parents, amid the manic craziness. Martin Lawrence, like many comedians of his generation who turn to movies, is more of a comedian and less of an actor whose performances often resort to overacted slapstick.
Predictable, but produces a few laughs
phantopp18 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Melanie Porter" (Raven-Symone) has finally come to lock horns with her father (Martin Lawrence) after growing up as "Daddy's Little Girl." She wants to go to Georgetown University, but he is way too over-protective, and demands that she Northwestern University, which is less than 30-minutes from the family home.
She plans a college road trip with two friends (Brenda Song and Margo Harshman), but good old daddy has plans for him to take her on the trip himself.
Everything goes wrong for "Melanie" on the trip, which includes her father recruiting fellow police officers to stage an outrageous scene to get her to go to Northwestern to her brainiac brother (Eshaya Draper), stowing away with the family pig in their father's police vehicle.
Now, the foursome have to get to Georgetown before "Melanie's" dreams come crashing to the ground.
I have to say this is one of the most predictable movies I've seen in some time. You knew during the opening credits that there was going to be comedic bumps in the proverbial road, with the two main characters fighting all the way until they bond again at the end of the film.
I wasn't too impressed with the humor. Again, due to the predictability of the movie. I probably laughed six times the entire movie. Most of the jokes you've seen in other movies, and are done better in those movies. The gags were not set up well if you ask me, and you knew the punchline was coming just as the comedic scenes were starting.
I also did not like the performances of Donny Osmond and his on-screen daughter played by Molly Ephraim. There is such a thing as being too over-the-top, and they were. Personally, I don't think either were happy with their roles, as, to me, they seemed to have forced their performances a bit too much.
On the other hand, Martin and Raven-Symone were pretty good together, and did a fairly good job at being a comedy team -- with her being the "straight man" to Martin as the comic. I've flipped passed Raven-Symone's TV series when they are in the middle of a comedic moment. In the show, she seems to be forcing herself at the comedy. Here, she was more comfortable.
The supporting cast was completely under used. It seemed to me that characters showed up when needed in the script. There was very little character development in these characters beyond of being told who they were, and how they related to the main characters. Mostly, the supporting cast were either used in comedic scenes, or to set up plot twists.
As for the soundtrack, it's mostly well-known tunes heard for decades, sometimes in other movies and television shows. There isn't any of the major names from Disney like the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus on the soundtrack. It's the original artists you hear like the Jackson 5. You also only get one original song in the movie, sung on-screen by Raven-Symone in a funny moment on a tour bus filled with karaoke-singing Japanese tourists. The song itself was upbeat, and is easy to dance to, but you won't be singing it for weeks after.
I couldn't really get into this movie, thanks to it being so predictable. However, there are a few good laughs and pretty good performances from Raven-Symone and Martin which barely carry the movie. I would have to say save this one for a rainy day when there is nothing else on.
She plans a college road trip with two friends (Brenda Song and Margo Harshman), but good old daddy has plans for him to take her on the trip himself.
Everything goes wrong for "Melanie" on the trip, which includes her father recruiting fellow police officers to stage an outrageous scene to get her to go to Northwestern to her brainiac brother (Eshaya Draper), stowing away with the family pig in their father's police vehicle.
Now, the foursome have to get to Georgetown before "Melanie's" dreams come crashing to the ground.
I have to say this is one of the most predictable movies I've seen in some time. You knew during the opening credits that there was going to be comedic bumps in the proverbial road, with the two main characters fighting all the way until they bond again at the end of the film.
I wasn't too impressed with the humor. Again, due to the predictability of the movie. I probably laughed six times the entire movie. Most of the jokes you've seen in other movies, and are done better in those movies. The gags were not set up well if you ask me, and you knew the punchline was coming just as the comedic scenes were starting.
I also did not like the performances of Donny Osmond and his on-screen daughter played by Molly Ephraim. There is such a thing as being too over-the-top, and they were. Personally, I don't think either were happy with their roles, as, to me, they seemed to have forced their performances a bit too much.
On the other hand, Martin and Raven-Symone were pretty good together, and did a fairly good job at being a comedy team -- with her being the "straight man" to Martin as the comic. I've flipped passed Raven-Symone's TV series when they are in the middle of a comedic moment. In the show, she seems to be forcing herself at the comedy. Here, she was more comfortable.
The supporting cast was completely under used. It seemed to me that characters showed up when needed in the script. There was very little character development in these characters beyond of being told who they were, and how they related to the main characters. Mostly, the supporting cast were either used in comedic scenes, or to set up plot twists.
As for the soundtrack, it's mostly well-known tunes heard for decades, sometimes in other movies and television shows. There isn't any of the major names from Disney like the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus on the soundtrack. It's the original artists you hear like the Jackson 5. You also only get one original song in the movie, sung on-screen by Raven-Symone in a funny moment on a tour bus filled with karaoke-singing Japanese tourists. The song itself was upbeat, and is easy to dance to, but you won't be singing it for weeks after.
I couldn't really get into this movie, thanks to it being so predictable. However, there are a few good laughs and pretty good performances from Raven-Symone and Martin which barely carry the movie. I would have to say save this one for a rainy day when there is nothing else on.
weak family comedy
eternalsea6 March 2008
Martin Lawrence is hardly the height of great cinematic performers, during the 90's the success of comics such as Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler prevented him from getting to many high profile movies, against the likes of Carrey who is actually funny, Lawrence just didn't represent that much of a Box-Office threat. Now that a lot of those dudes are attempting more serious films, Lawrence has recently had two films released in close quarters the passable Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins and this abomination. Basically the film sees Lawrence ferry his daughter around the country in order to help her find the perfect college with several other family members and assorted characters lagging behind. All are suitably "crazy" in that stupid Hollywood way, and Lawrence clearly sees himself as the star of this woeful effort, gurning and overacting his way through as many scenes as possible. Bottom line....the man ain't funny!!! A film similar to this was made not that long ago with Cedric The Entertainer called Jonson Family Vacation. It wasn't great but at least it had a few chuckle worthy moments, I don't think I was amused successfully once during College Road Trip, bar by the sheer poverty of imagination displayed by it's clearly juvenile screenwriters. The director is Roger Kumble who made the excellent Cruel Intentions just short of 10 years ago, and since has been gradually heading down hack road, he may have made a half credible film with Just Friends but 2002's The Sweetest Thing was simply not acceptable. However this is a new nadir for the man I once thought was at least semi-talented, here he directs with a bland eye and is clearly not enthusiastic about the product. Basically he wanted a bit of cash and this was the best way to get it. Comically inept and at times completely unwatchable College Road Trip is as weak a comic effort as I expect 2008 theatres will have to show, and should pop up quickly on DVD. It's an early but strong candidate for the years bottom 10, and may even be the ever irritating Lawrence's worst production to date. Sadly however one is almost certain it will enter the weekends top 5, and might even grab the coveted no.1 spot. Still when the reviews start flying it will drop fast like the dead weight it is. Avoid.
At least I made 50 bucks by sitting through it
kxok63010 March 2008
Martin Lawrence, who hasn't been involved in a worth while movie since Abraham Lincoln was president, is back again. My friends talked me into seeing this (instead of a good movie), promising to each pay me the cost of admission if it turned out to be as awful as we had been warned. "Oh, the critics are never right," they said. Yes, the critics are right about this film, and at least I won the bet, but it was a painful way to earn 50 bucks.
Lawrence just makes a fool out of himself. The premise is worthless to begin with: frantic dad sticks his nose in his daughter's business as she begins her college career. There is no humor in that. Somehow, it gets worse. The writing is abysmal; of note are the endless babbling speeches by Lawrence, pre-school intelligence level gags, stereotypical characterizations that went out with the dinosaurs, and horribly executed slapstick scenes. The direction is zero: it just poses Lawrence in your face like he's doing a stand-up routine, while other nameless characters do a lousy job of trying to pretend they think he's funny. The amateurish cast's irritating over-acting makes this cinematic flop even more torturous.
The audience, like the daughter character in the film, will want to escape from Lawrence's manic ramblings as quickly as possible. Expect this one to have a very short general-release lifetime before it gets shelved in the 99 cent video grocery store bin, and mercifully forgotten.
Lawrence just makes a fool out of himself. The premise is worthless to begin with: frantic dad sticks his nose in his daughter's business as she begins her college career. There is no humor in that. Somehow, it gets worse. The writing is abysmal; of note are the endless babbling speeches by Lawrence, pre-school intelligence level gags, stereotypical characterizations that went out with the dinosaurs, and horribly executed slapstick scenes. The direction is zero: it just poses Lawrence in your face like he's doing a stand-up routine, while other nameless characters do a lousy job of trying to pretend they think he's funny. The amateurish cast's irritating over-acting makes this cinematic flop even more torturous.
The audience, like the daughter character in the film, will want to escape from Lawrence's manic ramblings as quickly as possible. Expect this one to have a very short general-release lifetime before it gets shelved in the 99 cent video grocery store bin, and mercifully forgotten.
And to think Mr. Lawrence learned his lesson...
johnnymacbest7 March 2008
after Big Momma's House 2 and Wild Hogs were cold turkeys at the box office. My My My; WHAT has the world come to? I need an answer because quite frankly Martin Lawrence IS NOT FUNNY ANYMORE!!! Why does he just except the fact that he's a has-been, or better yet, go on The Surreal Life for crying out loud. This movie is a farce. The jokes and "acting" are stale as a slice of bread on top of the 'fridge and there's no real chemistry (or whatever YOU may call it) between Mr. unfunny-washed-up-comedian and Raven Simone who plays his daughter in a role so clichéd that it makes Paris Hilton look like an Academy Award actress. To add more insult to injury, they even parodied The Bucket List in an attempt to make it funny yet the only thing it does is make the film fall even more harder on its a** than it deserves.
I've never in my life, since up to this point in my years of seeing movies, had such deep and profound hatred for Mr. Lawrence searing throughout my mind after seeing this film. This film, or should I say The Martin Lawrence Vanity Project" should be burned in a fire along with the imbeciles who had the gall to force this crap-fest. Don't see this movie if you value your sanity as well as your date. You will regret it. Trust me.
I've never in my life, since up to this point in my years of seeing movies, had such deep and profound hatred for Mr. Lawrence searing throughout my mind after seeing this film. This film, or should I say The Martin Lawrence Vanity Project" should be burned in a fire along with the imbeciles who had the gall to force this crap-fest. Don't see this movie if you value your sanity as well as your date. You will regret it. Trust me.
With the exception of the Osmonds, the pig hooked on coffee beans, the wanna be dictator son, and some extremely cheesy jokes... it's an a-OK film
Smells_Like_Cheese18 March 2008
OK, this movie is in no possible way to be family movie of the year, I can't stand Marin Lawerence with a passion, I mean this guy has the most ridicules sense of humor and his movies usually equal bad. But my boyfriend wanted to see College Road Trip so badly, so it was his pick. We saw it tonite, I have to say that actually with several exceptions, this wasn't such a bad family film. As for me and my boyfriend alone to see it? No, uh uh, but I'm judging this as what it is meant to be, a family film. I know that these Disney family films get a little old, the story is played over a million times, but I realized something, the story is safe, so naturally they'll play on it. So honestly, it's not that big of a deal, as for some of the jokes? Some were not that bad, some were cute, but some were just, oh, god, Donny Osmond.
Melanie is what you would call the perfect daughter, perfect grades, good morals, great friends, and has just got an interview with Georgetown University for acceptance. The problem? Her over protective and controlling father, James doesn't want to let go of her, so he tells her that they'll go on a college road trip and in the mean time he'll try to convince her to go to a school closer to home. But along the way he learns that maybe it's time to think of what she wants and to trust her.
College Road Trip isn't a horrific film, I wouldn't put this into the bottom 100 on IMDb, believe me, you could do so much worse when it comes to a Disney family film. I know a lot of people are giving this film a bad rep, but honestly, it's worth it for the kids. It's cute enough for the family, has a good message, and isn't all so bad. Honestly, if it were not for Donny Osmond coming into the film and scaring 10 years off my life, I would give it a higher rating, but I think my rating is generous enough. For the family, I recommend, for an adult, you might wanna avoid. I'll be having nightmares for a few days of Donny and his daughter singing.
4/10
Melanie is what you would call the perfect daughter, perfect grades, good morals, great friends, and has just got an interview with Georgetown University for acceptance. The problem? Her over protective and controlling father, James doesn't want to let go of her, so he tells her that they'll go on a college road trip and in the mean time he'll try to convince her to go to a school closer to home. But along the way he learns that maybe it's time to think of what she wants and to trust her.
College Road Trip isn't a horrific film, I wouldn't put this into the bottom 100 on IMDb, believe me, you could do so much worse when it comes to a Disney family film. I know a lot of people are giving this film a bad rep, but honestly, it's worth it for the kids. It's cute enough for the family, has a good message, and isn't all so bad. Honestly, if it were not for Donny Osmond coming into the film and scaring 10 years off my life, I would give it a higher rating, but I think my rating is generous enough. For the family, I recommend, for an adult, you might wanna avoid. I'll be having nightmares for a few days of Donny and his daughter singing.
4/10
unappealing to most
MLDinTN22 December 2008
This movie is geared for a specific audience of pre-teen girls, and if you are not in that target group, this movie is quite stupid. I didn't find it funny. Martin Lawerence plays an overprotective father whose daughter is going to college. He wants her to go to school close to home, but she wants to go to Georgetown. They decide to take a road trip to Georgetown for her interview. Her young brother and his pet pig hitch a ride too, and they must overcome several mishaps to get to Georgetown in time for the interview. From skydiving to a pig on caffeine; it was just silly.
FINAL VERDICT: A terrible Disney film.
FINAL VERDICT: A terrible Disney film.
fun for the whole family
asilber-119 April 2008
Warning: Spoilers
My kids and I really enjoyed this movie. The kids loved it so much, they saw it twice. The "Double Dutch Bus" scene was just terrific. Donny Osmond's character was so funny and I was glad my kids got a chance to see him since I was a big fan of him back in the '70's. The kids are big fans of Lucus Gabriel and Raven and I thought they gave great performances. Raven is such a talented person. I liked how her character in the movie was ambitious and determined to excel academically and still have friends and be pretty. We also enjoyed the scenes in the sorority with the stern Sorority supervisor. Nice to see all those college girls being supervised! And Grandma with her friends were big fun. The pig added a lot to the movie's fun and it was so cute. Although he did a fine job with the material, Martin Lawrence was a bit wasted in this movie. The kids didn't notice cause they don't know how incredibly funny he can be. The overall best thing about this movie was the music. The music had us dancing in our theater seats; we can't wait to get the sound track of this movie.
There is nothing to this low-level Disney comedy
napierslogs26 September 2010
"College Road Trip" didn't offer me anything that I thought it might have. It is pretty standard Disney fare, but it's very disappointing how little insight Disney puts into their movies. This is neither an exploration of a father-daughter relationship, nor is it a college-level comedy, nor is it an examination into a young woman as she tries to figure out how to pick the right college for her. This movie could have been any or all of the above, but it's none of it.
All it is, is a very low-level family comedy. It's slapstick comedy done for no audience that I could think of and done way over-the-top that it's just painful. All of the jokes have been done before in pretty much every Disney or family comedy and wouldn't be funny to anybody nearing college age, well actually, that sentence should just finish with that it wouldn't be funny to anybody. Period.
There is no audience for this corny and stale Disney comedy. "College Road Trip" doesn't offer anything real or tangible about college, or travelling on any kind of road, or about taking any kind of trip.
All it is, is a very low-level family comedy. It's slapstick comedy done for no audience that I could think of and done way over-the-top that it's just painful. All of the jokes have been done before in pretty much every Disney or family comedy and wouldn't be funny to anybody nearing college age, well actually, that sentence should just finish with that it wouldn't be funny to anybody. Period.
There is no audience for this corny and stale Disney comedy. "College Road Trip" doesn't offer anything real or tangible about college, or travelling on any kind of road, or about taking any kind of trip.
I thought it was a real treat!
RoseTaffyRed16 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I know not many people enjoyed this film, but I really did! I did go to see the film, NOt the actors, so I was VERY pleased when I saw Lucas Grabeel as one of the characters (Especially since HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is one of my favorite films!) I really enjoyed the movie... a great idea for high school seniors! ALso... for Lucas fans... don't worry, his BEST scene is in the last minute of the film... LiterallY!
I enjoyed it and I think that it was fun
A great family film
I hope you enjoy it
I really do!
I enjoyed it and I think that it was fun
A great family film
I hope you enjoy it
I really do!
Not the best but not bad
ssmksi28 June 2008
I watched this movie because I like to watch Martin Lawrence movies.
This is a family movie. There is no swearing, there is no violence, etc. It's the way family movies should be. The storyline isn't the best nor is the musical score or acting however, it is not as bad as others deem it to be. I think too many people expect to be entertained by movies as if it was the first time being on a roller coaster. Those types of movies are jewels and should be praised as such however, these types of movies (college road trip) should not be condemned by seemingly heartless people who think they are experts in how movies should be. I often wonder if these people actually sit through and watch movies or just make bad comments because they don't like a particular actor. Oh well. I liked this movie.
This is a family movie. There is no swearing, there is no violence, etc. It's the way family movies should be. The storyline isn't the best nor is the musical score or acting however, it is not as bad as others deem it to be. I think too many people expect to be entertained by movies as if it was the first time being on a roller coaster. Those types of movies are jewels and should be praised as such however, these types of movies (college road trip) should not be condemned by seemingly heartless people who think they are experts in how movies should be. I often wonder if these people actually sit through and watch movies or just make bad comments because they don't like a particular actor. Oh well. I liked this movie.
This movie sucked
unclechuckisherehelp4 April 2008
Unless you are five, you are going to hate this movie. Raven yells enough to make you want to cut off your ears with a chain saw, and then take a huge dump on them. The actors overreacted at everything, and it was really annoying. the basic storyline was good, but everything else sucked. A four year old could have written a more interesting story. At times this movie had me pulling out my hair and punching myself in the face. I almost stabbed my eyes with my straw. I would rather eat a dump truck full of dog feces then watch this movie again. The actors try too hard to be funny, but they aren't funny. When i never laughed once. I feel bad for them because if i acted like that trying to be really funny and looking really dumb, i would be really embarrassed. So anyway..don't go see it...unless you want to be wishing you were dead about five minutes in..
Oh my god this is the worst movies i have ever heard
arielsiere5 October 2022
My god this movie is so awful and one of the worst Disney movies from 2008 along with The Little Mermaid 3: Ariel's Beginning also known as the last direct to video sequel from 1994-2008, when i checked on the Disney page from 2008 it says that this movie got negative reviews just like The Jonas Brothers 3d Concert Experience in 2009. The characters well i don't know if they are unlikable or bland i also want this movie to be on the awful movies wiki from miraheze, even Brenda Song the voice actress of Anne Boonchuy (Amphibia) had to appear in this garbage but i am glad i won't watch this movie or i'll never will or else it would be wasting my time.
Watch it for Raven Seymone and Martin Lawrence.
lisafordeay18 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
College Road Trip is directed by Roger Kumble(Just Friends) and stars funnyman Martin Lawrence,Raven Seymone and Donny Osmond.
An overprotective father named James(Martin) and his teenage daughter Melaine(Raven) travel together to find the perfect college with hilarious consequences along the way. Will James let his daughter go to the college she wants to go to instead of the one he wants her to go to?
Overall i found it entertaining and funny. Raven and Martin's comedic timing is hilarious as they work so together.
Silly movie but it doesn't deserve a 4.4 rating.
An overprotective father named James(Martin) and his teenage daughter Melaine(Raven) travel together to find the perfect college with hilarious consequences along the way. Will James let his daughter go to the college she wants to go to instead of the one he wants her to go to?
Overall i found it entertaining and funny. Raven and Martin's comedic timing is hilarious as they work so together.
Silly movie but it doesn't deserve a 4.4 rating.
Loud and annoying
jimbo-53-18651113 July 2017
When his daughter is offered an interview at a college in Washington D.C, over-protective father James Porter (Martin Lawrence) offers to drive his daughter from their hometown in Chicago to Washington D.C. Despite his good-intentions, James' interference and over-protective nature turns this road trip into something of a nightmare.
There have been many road trip films over the years (all of varying quality), but none that I've seen so far have managed to be quite as annoying as College Road Trip...
The underlying base of the story isn't actually too bad; an over-protective father struggling to let his child fly the nest and being unable to bear her being too far away from him. Deep, deep down there is quite a sweet story here, but unfortunately it's suffocated by a bunch of loud and annoying characters (Donny Osmond and his daughter were the worst examples and are two of the most irritating characters that I've ever witnessed on film). It's almost as though the filmmakers genuinely believe that by putting a bunch of unbearably happy people on the screen that this will somehow make its audience happy, but the truth is that a lot of these characters had the opposite effect on me; none of them felt believable and the relentless cheeriness and stupid dialogue that many of the characters were given never felt believable and a lot of the time it made me feel as though I was watching caricatures rather than real people.
The film does seem to have all the clichés in the book; over-protective father, weird kid, rebellious teen who has awkward relationship with dad, but whom inevitably bonds with dad et al. The problem with this film isn't necessarily its clichéd approach, but more to do with the fact that the filmmakers don't make any of the characters or the dialogue funny. Character development is also a bit hit-and-miss; for example the weird kid is just weird and given no real development and isn't funny.
The performances (if you can call them that) aren't up to much I'm afraid - but that's mainly because many of the actors are either shouting or screaming at one another. When watching this film it often felt like it was trying too hard to be funny and the more it tried the worse it got.
There are one or two nice moments between Lawrence and Symone which prevent it from getting the minimum score, but other than that this is an unbearable, unfunny, loud and annoying film that would have greatly benefited from a less is more approach being employed.
There have been many road trip films over the years (all of varying quality), but none that I've seen so far have managed to be quite as annoying as College Road Trip...
The underlying base of the story isn't actually too bad; an over-protective father struggling to let his child fly the nest and being unable to bear her being too far away from him. Deep, deep down there is quite a sweet story here, but unfortunately it's suffocated by a bunch of loud and annoying characters (Donny Osmond and his daughter were the worst examples and are two of the most irritating characters that I've ever witnessed on film). It's almost as though the filmmakers genuinely believe that by putting a bunch of unbearably happy people on the screen that this will somehow make its audience happy, but the truth is that a lot of these characters had the opposite effect on me; none of them felt believable and the relentless cheeriness and stupid dialogue that many of the characters were given never felt believable and a lot of the time it made me feel as though I was watching caricatures rather than real people.
The film does seem to have all the clichés in the book; over-protective father, weird kid, rebellious teen who has awkward relationship with dad, but whom inevitably bonds with dad et al. The problem with this film isn't necessarily its clichéd approach, but more to do with the fact that the filmmakers don't make any of the characters or the dialogue funny. Character development is also a bit hit-and-miss; for example the weird kid is just weird and given no real development and isn't funny.
The performances (if you can call them that) aren't up to much I'm afraid - but that's mainly because many of the actors are either shouting or screaming at one another. When watching this film it often felt like it was trying too hard to be funny and the more it tried the worse it got.
There are one or two nice moments between Lawrence and Symone which prevent it from getting the minimum score, but other than that this is an unbearable, unfunny, loud and annoying film that would have greatly benefited from a less is more approach being employed.
Not great
jstandhaven2523 January 2018
My expectations weren't very high before watching this movie, and it lived up to this. Poor acting throughout and a storyline that was very predictable. If you just want an easy watch, with a few laughs then this movie is for you.
Avoid - it's a waste of time even for Lawrence/Raven/Osmond/Disney fans
LarryBrownHouston23 March 2008
Lar-ry-view: I won't be able to add anything new that other reviewers here haven't already told you. This film is awful, how many ways are there to say it? It's a waste of time to watch, and a waste of time to review.
I love Martin Lawrence, Donny Osmond, Disney, and good G rated films, but this is just a bad movie.
I knew it was bad from the very start, when the mock-trial featured high school students with clown like wolf and pig noses rubber banded to their faces. It got worse from there.
I would have walked out after the first twenty minutes, but I forced myself to watch the whole movie so that I could see all of Donny's appearances. His performance is OK, more of the nerdy white guy shtick. There is about one funny joke in the entire movie, and Donny gets that at the very end. But nothing could be worth that wait. It's such a shame to see Donny's immense talent and charm absent from the screen for 30 years, only to surface in this wasteland. I'm glad to see him on the screen and his name in the credits, but I can't see how this is a good career move for him. Also, I wish he would be proud of his white style and awesome 1970s accomplishments, rather than trying to show that he's hip enough to recognize that he's nerdy. Trying to prove you're cool by showing that you recognize how uncool you are seems to be silly.
Why does Disney schlock out these supremely lame live action movies? With such masterful dramatic treatment of stories like Alice in Wonderland and The Little Mermaid, they have shown they know how to make a great story. It's sad.
As others have said, the pig is a complete waste. The Einstein little brother is a complete waste. The wife is a complete waste. The crazy grandma is a complete waste. Basically I'm just compulsively typing to say that almost nothing works in this movie on any level.
Raven gives us one good performance of "The Double Dutch Bus," and Donny gets one funny joke. Other than that, this film is horrible. For the last half hour I was fidgeting and internally screaming "I can't take it anymore!" Boy was I glad when it was over.
I love Martin Lawrence, Donny Osmond, Disney, and good G rated films, but this is just a bad movie.
I knew it was bad from the very start, when the mock-trial featured high school students with clown like wolf and pig noses rubber banded to their faces. It got worse from there.
I would have walked out after the first twenty minutes, but I forced myself to watch the whole movie so that I could see all of Donny's appearances. His performance is OK, more of the nerdy white guy shtick. There is about one funny joke in the entire movie, and Donny gets that at the very end. But nothing could be worth that wait. It's such a shame to see Donny's immense talent and charm absent from the screen for 30 years, only to surface in this wasteland. I'm glad to see him on the screen and his name in the credits, but I can't see how this is a good career move for him. Also, I wish he would be proud of his white style and awesome 1970s accomplishments, rather than trying to show that he's hip enough to recognize that he's nerdy. Trying to prove you're cool by showing that you recognize how uncool you are seems to be silly.
Why does Disney schlock out these supremely lame live action movies? With such masterful dramatic treatment of stories like Alice in Wonderland and The Little Mermaid, they have shown they know how to make a great story. It's sad.
As others have said, the pig is a complete waste. The Einstein little brother is a complete waste. The wife is a complete waste. The crazy grandma is a complete waste. Basically I'm just compulsively typing to say that almost nothing works in this movie on any level.
Raven gives us one good performance of "The Double Dutch Bus," and Donny gets one funny joke. Other than that, this film is horrible. For the last half hour I was fidgeting and internally screaming "I can't take it anymore!" Boy was I glad when it was over.
Pretty good; It's receiving too much, harsh treatment
Dragoneyed36320 July 2008
I honestly don't see what the big fuss over College Road Trip is. It wasn't a bad movie, in my opinion. It was actually really lovable, and even though it was certainly mediocre most of the time, and I felt as if at some parts they tried too hard to please the audience with mediocre jokes, it was still very entertaining, and contained a pretty good amount of laughable, and that's laughable in the humorous way, material.
It was also nice seeing Raven Symone in this movie, because I am always used to seeing her in what she's famous for, That's So Raven, and it was enlightening to know she played a role, because I love her in that show. Also, even though Martin Lawrence isn't one of the best actors, and definitely isn't one of my favorites, he's not a terrible one, and if you ask me everyone in this movie could act well for their roles, to some extent. There were scenes where I felt as if the antics were outdated and some lines were just not pulled off to the best of the casts' abilities, but when it was over I ended up having fun with it, and that's what it was meant to be in the first place.
It was of course no masterpiece, and it could have been handled a lot more professionally than it was, but doesn't a ton of movies fall under those categories, and yet, many people enjoy them. Overall, it was a good little movie, that isn't as horrible as the rating and negative comments let on to be, so if you're any bit interested in seeing this movie, go ahead, because it wasn't bad or disappointing at all.
It was also nice seeing Raven Symone in this movie, because I am always used to seeing her in what she's famous for, That's So Raven, and it was enlightening to know she played a role, because I love her in that show. Also, even though Martin Lawrence isn't one of the best actors, and definitely isn't one of my favorites, he's not a terrible one, and if you ask me everyone in this movie could act well for their roles, to some extent. There were scenes where I felt as if the antics were outdated and some lines were just not pulled off to the best of the casts' abilities, but when it was over I ended up having fun with it, and that's what it was meant to be in the first place.
It was of course no masterpiece, and it could have been handled a lot more professionally than it was, but doesn't a ton of movies fall under those categories, and yet, many people enjoy them. Overall, it was a good little movie, that isn't as horrible as the rating and negative comments let on to be, so if you're any bit interested in seeing this movie, go ahead, because it wasn't bad or disappointing at all.
a movie staring Raven, and overachieving daughter who's father is too overbearing attempting to get out of "the nest"
katie_ml15 March 2008
THis movie had some laugh out loud moments, points where even i couldn't help but have a huge smile on my face cracking up. THe scenery was absolutely amazing and whoever choose these locations was amazing. There were however many points that were well...horrible. THe cast list for example. Raven was good, when she was six, after she left the COsby show however it went all down hill. The actress playing her mother also looked like she had just gotten plastic surgery. THe man playing the father( forget his name sorry) made too many "funny faces" and one or 2 would of been funny however every minute not so much. THe kid playing the little brother and that pig never failed to weird me out and wish that they were far away from the set and story line when the movie was being shot. However i have to say there were some in there that did an amazing job. Lucas Grabeel in the few moments that he had didn't fail to totally crack me up, Brenda Song also did well. and the actor and actress of the weirdo family did an amazing job you had to love them. Another major problem i had with the movie was "Double Dutch BUs" yeah basically that song SUCKS . no other way to say it and to make it worse i felt like it was playing the whole time. The Sotry was funny, great script but the cast sucked and killed it all for me sorry. i would suggest seeing something else
Excellent Movie when you Consider the Audience ^*-@-*^
pekroeger8 March 2008
OK, this isn't the movie I would select if just my husband and I were going out for the evening. But WE aren't the audience for this- Disney made this for kids and tweens and YES even teens. I have 3 daughters 13, 11, 7, and this movie hit the notes right for THEM. The interplay between Raven's character Melanie and her friends was right on. There is a scene where Melanie's Dad (Lawrence) and she are in the car, and she is on her cell phone forever with their friends- it is so true to life and you would only know that if you've experienced this.
In terms of appropriateness for kids, I can't think of anything in this movie that would offend. There is silly slapstick comedy that had adults and kids alike laughing. Kids who watched Raven on her Disney channel show loved watching her act in this movie. The Donny Osmond character was over the top and, according to my 7 year old, totally hilarious.
Would I select this movie just for me? NO. But folks, if you are looking for a movie for the family to see, or something I could show a mixed age group, this is great. I could pick apart little things about the movie, but those parts of the movie I found to be silly or ridiculous were irrelevant to the kids. This movie both has a heart and is sweet in spirit. I wish more people would CONSIDER the AUDIENCE for whom the movie is intended when writing a review.
In terms of appropriateness for kids, I can't think of anything in this movie that would offend. There is silly slapstick comedy that had adults and kids alike laughing. Kids who watched Raven on her Disney channel show loved watching her act in this movie. The Donny Osmond character was over the top and, according to my 7 year old, totally hilarious.
Would I select this movie just for me? NO. But folks, if you are looking for a movie for the family to see, or something I could show a mixed age group, this is great. I could pick apart little things about the movie, but those parts of the movie I found to be silly or ridiculous were irrelevant to the kids. This movie both has a heart and is sweet in spirit. I wish more people would CONSIDER the AUDIENCE for whom the movie is intended when writing a review.
Very funny!
sassyprettyncute8 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie when it came out and it was so funny! It was kind of stupid in a few scenes, but wow, it was one of the funniest movies! I love Raven in this, she was the perfect pick! I can't imagine anyone else playing her character. Also Martin Lawrence's character isn't exactly how some dads are. But still, he did a great job betraying an over protected, police dad. And this is his first G-rated film! Can you believe it? So anyways, I loved this movie. Donny Osmand's character and his daughter are so annoying but that makes it even funnier! I loved it when at the end the daughter of Donny goes to the same college as Raven and they're neighbors! So funny. Loved the movie and the plot line wasn't the best. I know this won't be Golden Globe or Oscar worthy, but it'll definitely be nominated the the Teen Choice awards and/or at the MTV movies awards. If it doesn't get those nominations, I'll be kind of surprised. Anyways, if you want some good family fun, go see this movie! It's worth it!
Sucky acting
annietheking8 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
well i thought it was a cute movie...i guess. but the acting is sort of...bad. i saw it with my friend who thought it was pretty good. i thought it sucked like a lemon. raven is so cute but a little too overthetop. so was everyone else. i like the mom though! like, the little bro really can not act.
and raven was OK, a little old for the part. don't bother. and do not get me started on Donny Osmond. annoying! overall, icky. nope i hate this film
simple As that. if you want a horrible cinematic experience, watch this!
and raven was OK, a little old for the part. don't bother. and do not get me started on Donny Osmond. annoying! overall, icky. nope i hate this film
simple As that. if you want a horrible cinematic experience, watch this!
Disney trips face first on this one
Robert_duder18 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I admit that I was really looking forward to this film. I love Disney Flicks, Freaky Friday, Parent Trap, The Princess Diaries, some of my all time favorites and the previews on this one just looked fun. In some ways I suppose it was fun...I laughed despite myself but I think it had more to do with the fact that it was simple and dumb. I should have known Disney would be using the film to flaunt around their Disney girl (Raven-Symoné) and not her flaunt her well. I think the casting in this film was probably 85% of the problem with it...they were entirely wrong. Technically all the pieces were in place for a slapstick, funny adventure across the country in true Disney style. Add in some wacky characters and a cute and sweet moral and how can you go wrong? I don't know but it does...it goes very wrong. The whole film just reeks of being stupid. It has funny moments and maybe really young kids will get a bigger kick out of it but Disney has this talent for making films that ANYONE can enjoy in a family not just one demographic. The pig was the most comic relief in the film and probably one the best actors on top of that.
I've hardly seen Raven-Symoné in much outside of her young years on The Cosby Show but she was downright awful in this movie. Her over exaggerated facial expressions and terrible acting just about ruined the entire film. She was just not good in the role in any way. Her performance is a big fat ZERO out of ten. She doesn't even have the portion of talent that other Disney girls have had including Lindsay Lohan, or Hilary Duff. Martin Lawrence has a certain brand of comedic talent and sometimes it really does work but it does not work in a Disney film. It felt like he was holding back and just really was kind of overbearing and didn't really fit in. I will say however that Symoné and Lawrence did have some decent father daughter chemistry but neither one of them did much for the film. Eshaya Draper is cute as brainy kid with big ideas and Lawrence's son. He does a better job than Symoné so that is saying something. I did however like the casting of Kym Whitley as Michelle Porter (Lawrence's wife and Symoné's mother.) She does a decent in a small role but I especially liked that she is a tiny little size six 20 year old like most aging, unattractive men in movies get as wives. I mean she is still beautiful but she is real, and a bigger actress so bravo for casting a real woman in the role. Donny Osmond was actually one of my favorite character as the over the top loud obnoxiously happy fellow college father Doug Greenhut. I mean his performance is ridiculously over the top but you know that and you understand that and it's funny.
I can't say they handpicked the director very well either. I think in director Roger Kumble's very short big screen career he had one big hit with Cruel Intentions and has stumbled ever since. He just doesn't seem to handle chaos well or his cast very well. The comedy is slapstick in nature but without any real backing to it so it makes you laugh but laugh and then shake your head right after. The moral is in tact and it is kind of sweet and has a tear jerking moment in the end but mostly you just want it to end. Really little kids might enjoy this one but you'll groan from beginning to end. The film is sugary sweet and about as G as it can get which is awesome so let your kids see it but sit this one out, it's a Disney stinker. 5.5/10
I've hardly seen Raven-Symoné in much outside of her young years on The Cosby Show but she was downright awful in this movie. Her over exaggerated facial expressions and terrible acting just about ruined the entire film. She was just not good in the role in any way. Her performance is a big fat ZERO out of ten. She doesn't even have the portion of talent that other Disney girls have had including Lindsay Lohan, or Hilary Duff. Martin Lawrence has a certain brand of comedic talent and sometimes it really does work but it does not work in a Disney film. It felt like he was holding back and just really was kind of overbearing and didn't really fit in. I will say however that Symoné and Lawrence did have some decent father daughter chemistry but neither one of them did much for the film. Eshaya Draper is cute as brainy kid with big ideas and Lawrence's son. He does a better job than Symoné so that is saying something. I did however like the casting of Kym Whitley as Michelle Porter (Lawrence's wife and Symoné's mother.) She does a decent in a small role but I especially liked that she is a tiny little size six 20 year old like most aging, unattractive men in movies get as wives. I mean she is still beautiful but she is real, and a bigger actress so bravo for casting a real woman in the role. Donny Osmond was actually one of my favorite character as the over the top loud obnoxiously happy fellow college father Doug Greenhut. I mean his performance is ridiculously over the top but you know that and you understand that and it's funny.
I can't say they handpicked the director very well either. I think in director Roger Kumble's very short big screen career he had one big hit with Cruel Intentions and has stumbled ever since. He just doesn't seem to handle chaos well or his cast very well. The comedy is slapstick in nature but without any real backing to it so it makes you laugh but laugh and then shake your head right after. The moral is in tact and it is kind of sweet and has a tear jerking moment in the end but mostly you just want it to end. Really little kids might enjoy this one but you'll groan from beginning to end. The film is sugary sweet and about as G as it can get which is awesome so let your kids see it but sit this one out, it's a Disney stinker. 5.5/10
My Review
joemamaohio13 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
There aren't many 'real life' G-rated movies out there nowadays, and "College Road Trip" is a great film for families, but I can't get over Martin Lawrence. He plays an overly-protective father who wants his daughter (Raven Simone) to stay close by as she decides what college to attend, and when she gets an interview at Georgetown - 700 miles from home - he tries to sabotage her chances of getting there.
Sure, he's playing the role as a father who doesn't want his child to suffer the injustices of life, and that's very admirable, but the dirty stunts he pulls on his daughter is just downright disrespectful to her. If he raised her right, he wouldn't have anything to worry about. But this comes from a single guy who doesn't have a daughter to send to college, so maybe some parents ARE this over-protective...mine weren't, but maybe there's others that are.
Basically it would've been a lot better WITHOUT Martin Lawrence. Raven Simone did an exceptional job, and the pig in the film is just funny...I like pigs.
Basically I'm saying it's a great family film, but not one you'd want to watch with your buddies. But then again, a film like this wasn't created for that kind of audience anyway.
Sure, he's playing the role as a father who doesn't want his child to suffer the injustices of life, and that's very admirable, but the dirty stunts he pulls on his daughter is just downright disrespectful to her. If he raised her right, he wouldn't have anything to worry about. But this comes from a single guy who doesn't have a daughter to send to college, so maybe some parents ARE this over-protective...mine weren't, but maybe there's others that are.
Basically it would've been a lot better WITHOUT Martin Lawrence. Raven Simone did an exceptional job, and the pig in the film is just funny...I like pigs.
Basically I'm saying it's a great family film, but not one you'd want to watch with your buddies. But then again, a film like this wasn't created for that kind of audience anyway.
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