By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
“Hollywood Stargirl” is the new, romantic drama and sequel to the 2020 Disney+ “Stargirl” movie. It is based on Jerry Spinelli’s 2002 bestselling YA novel of the same name. The movie stars
Grace Vanderwaal, as Stargirl Caraway, a free-spirited teen with a bubbly and infectious personality that rubs people the right way.
Just as Stargirl is beginning to come into her own while living in Arizona with her mother, Ana (Judy Greer, TV’s “The First Lady”), her cozy little world is forever changed. That's because Ana got a plum new job in Los Angeles working as a costume designer for a big movie. She would be foolish not to take it. She does, much to the dismay of Stargirl who along with her pet rat/best friend Cinnamon, have finally adapted to Arizona.
Ana tells Stargirl that change is good. However, they can't seem to settle in one place for more than a year. That's disruptive for anyone, especially when you are in high school like Stargirl and trying to make friends.
Ana insists that this will be the last move and Stargirl can look forward to spending her senior year in Los Angeles with no interruptions.
Famous last words.
Stargirl is reluctant to move, but really has no choice. She soon discovers that LA isn't too bad. Once in their new apartment, Stargirl starts singing and playing her Ukulele. It annoys Mr. Mitchell, (Judd Hirsch, TV's "The Goldbergs"), the cranky, old neighbor downstairs, but she has one fan. His name is Evan (Elijah Richardson, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"). He's the son of their landlord Daphne (Nija Okoro, "Confined").
Evan tells Stargirl that he and his older brother Terrell (Tyrel Jackson Williams, "Thunder Force") are planning to make a movie and she would be a fantastic addition since she is so talented. Stargirl is in and she even starts singing in a local club that Terrell works at. For the record, they can't go in the bar area because they are underage. That's Disney.
Anyway, Stargirl likes the idea that she can chose her music for the movie and suggests a song from one of her favorite singers, Roxanne Martel (Uma Thurman, "TV's "Super Pumped" and "Suspicion") who was a one album wonder in the 1990s.
So, things are looking up for Stargirl. She has never been happier. Best of all, there is something brewing between her and Evan.
Yet, just as everything is going right for Stargirl, her mother's famous last words come back to haunt them. A major decision involving the movie that her mom is working on, puts everything they dreamed of in jeopardy.
"Hollywood Stargirl" is an often charming and relatable teen drama and like the first movie, it should play well to its intended audience.
You can catch "Hollywood Stargirl" on Disney+.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"HOLLYWOOD STARGIRL"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
