Better Nate Than Ever is exactly what Disney Plus needed

Better Nate Than Ever is exactly what Disney Plus needed

Amid the rather lackluster list of Disney Plus Original Movies, Better Nate than ever finally brings a well-deserved spice. It’s perhaps no surprise that a film about the consummate theater kid is full of sparkling showmanship. And it’s perhaps no surprise that the film was written and directed by High School Musical: The Musical: The Series showrunner Tim Federle, who has already proven his sensibilities for theater kids with this Disney Plus series. But Better Nate than ever – based on Federle’s debut novel – shines from start to finish, with a stellar central character and just the right amount of fantasy and reality.
[Ed. note: This review contains slight setup spoilers for Better Nate Than Ever.]

Picture: Disney
Nate Foster (newcomer Rueby Wood) is an avid theater kid who just can’t seem to make his big break in any of his college stage productions. With his parents away for the weekend, Nate and his best friend Libby (Aria Brooks) decide to take a chance and run away to New York to audition for a Broadway version of lilo and stitch. Succeeding in the big city isn’t as glamorous or as easy as the musicals portray it to be, but Nate is determined to achieve his dream, despite the odds mounting against him. In New York, he reunites with his estranged Aunt Heidi (Lisa Kudrow), who has been trying to become an actress for years. Meanwhile, Nate also tries to keep his high school brother Anthony (Joshua Bassett) from finding out he’s even left town.
Let’s eliminate one thing: Better Nate than ever is not a shamelessly awkward, self-indulgent Disney Channel Original Movie. It’s got more budget and polish than the likes of musical high school, camp rockand Lemonade Mouth. But unlike other Disney Plus Originals, Better Nate than ever retains the same heartfelt charm shared by the best DCOMs. Too often, Disney Plus Originals have held back from embracing the special charm of an unabashed getaway for all ages and tried to appeal to adults instead. But Better Nate than ever hits all the strengths, balancing heart and humor in a delicious feel-good blend.
The driving force behind the film is Nate, a school misfit who is staunchly true to himself. He has big dreams and wants them so badly, even when he has little support from his peers and family. He can’t land the lead role in his school productions because the drama teacher assigns those roles to more “experienced” students (or as experienced as middle schoolers can be). Nate finds this frustrating because how is he supposed to gain experience when no one will try their luck with him? It’s not a lack of talent, but a lack of opportunity, and it makes Nate all the more approachable.

Picture: Disney
As Nate, Wood captures the specific exuberant energy of a burgeoning theater kid: a passionate love for the theater, a confidence bursting from him like golden sunshine, and dreams far bigger than his Pittsburgh suburb – not to mention a personality that is a pinch boring, but in a way that feels realistic for a 13 year old. He’s goofy, and he tries too hard, but he’s endearing as hell. Wherever Nate goes, he attracts people magnetically. Nate is the shining star of the movie, though he also brings a strong ensemble to back it up.
The three central supporting characters – Anthony, Libby, and Heidi – also feel authentic. They’re mostly tools to move Nate’s story forward, but we also see glimpses of their own struggles, fleshing them out from the core characters. Not all of them worked out their issues over the duration of the film, but they all grow a bit over the course of the film, and they all learn something from Nate. The way Nate looks up to Heidi and the way she uses her as motivation to reconnect with her family is a particularly memorable subplot that’s heart-warming but not overly sickening. Still, the focus is mostly on Nate himself, and that’s for the best. Other Disney Plus Originals have tried to give older characters meaty storylines to rival the protagonists, at the expense of remembering who the movie is really for. But this is not the case in the case of Better Nate than ever. The supporting characters – especially the adults – aren’t one-dimensional, but the story is still mostly about Nate and his whirlwind weekend adventure.

Picture: Disney
Some elements of Better Nate than ever are larger than life, but they are features, not bugs. Yes, it’s unrealistic for two middle schoolers to drive into town for a weekend and sneak into an audition on Broadway. Yes, it’s even more unrealistic for Nate to wander around New York with no place to stay, then go viral after singing on the streets. Yes, the musical sequences in his head are over the top (although, in keeping with the film’s love of drama, they still use stage effects and practical costumes). But that’s part of the fantasy, which makes these kinds of movies so appealing to kids — and to adults who may have been that kind of kid once. Nate faces more grounded struggles, like being teased by his peers or navigating his strained relationship with his jock brother. But when it comes to bigger struggles, it’s more satisfying to watch Nate push through roadblocks, once he finally finds the momentum.
Better Nate than ever is a delight. It’s an ode to theater kids (and budding theater kids) everywhere. It doesn’t sit well with that audience, but the film is grounded enough to make it appeal to adult audiences. The story of a misfit child trying to find his way in the world is quite universal, regardless of the age of the viewer, and Better Nate than ever tells this story incredibly well through its charmingly goofy lead. Come celebrate the energy of theater kids (and the deluge of fun Broadway references) and stay for Nate’s spectacular adventure.
Better Nate than ever debuts on Disney Plus on April 1.

#Nate #Disney #needed

Better Nate Than Ever is exactly what Disney Plus needed

Amid the rather lackluster list of Disney Plus Original Movies, Better Nate than ever finally brings a well-deserved spice. It’s perhaps no surprise that a film about the consummate theater kid is full of sparkling showmanship. And it’s perhaps no surprise that the film was written and directed by High School Musical: The Musical: The Series showrunner Tim Federle, who has already proven his sensibilities for theater kids with this Disney Plus series. But Better Nate than ever – based on Federle’s debut novel – shines from start to finish, with a stellar central character and just the right amount of fantasy and reality.
[Ed. note: This review contains slight setup spoilers for Better Nate Than Ever.]

Picture: Disney
Nate Foster (newcomer Rueby Wood) is an avid theater kid who just can’t seem to make his big break in any of his college stage productions. With his parents away for the weekend, Nate and his best friend Libby (Aria Brooks) decide to take a chance and run away to New York to audition for a Broadway version of lilo and stitch. Succeeding in the big city isn’t as glamorous or as easy as the musicals portray it to be, but Nate is determined to achieve his dream, despite the odds mounting against him. In New York, he reunites with his estranged Aunt Heidi (Lisa Kudrow), who has been trying to become an actress for years. Meanwhile, Nate also tries to keep his high school brother Anthony (Joshua Bassett) from finding out he’s even left town.
Let’s eliminate one thing: Better Nate than ever is not a shamelessly awkward, self-indulgent Disney Channel Original Movie. It’s got more budget and polish than the likes of musical high school, camp rockand Lemonade Mouth. But unlike other Disney Plus Originals, Better Nate than ever retains the same heartfelt charm shared by the best DCOMs. Too often, Disney Plus Originals have held back from embracing the special charm of an unabashed getaway for all ages and tried to appeal to adults instead. But Better Nate than ever hits all the strengths, balancing heart and humor in a delicious feel-good blend.
The driving force behind the film is Nate, a school misfit who is staunchly true to himself. He has big dreams and wants them so badly, even when he has little support from his peers and family. He can’t land the lead role in his school productions because the drama teacher assigns those roles to more “experienced” students (or as experienced as middle schoolers can be). Nate finds this frustrating because how is he supposed to gain experience when no one will try their luck with him? It’s not a lack of talent, but a lack of opportunity, and it makes Nate all the more approachable.

Picture: Disney
As Nate, Wood captures the specific exuberant energy of a burgeoning theater kid: a passionate love for the theater, a confidence bursting from him like golden sunshine, and dreams far bigger than his Pittsburgh suburb – not to mention a personality that is a pinch boring, but in a way that feels realistic for a 13 year old. He’s goofy, and he tries too hard, but he’s endearing as hell. Wherever Nate goes, he attracts people magnetically. Nate is the shining star of the movie, though he also brings a strong ensemble to back it up.
The three central supporting characters – Anthony, Libby, and Heidi – also feel authentic. They’re mostly tools to move Nate’s story forward, but we also see glimpses of their own struggles, fleshing them out from the core characters. Not all of them worked out their issues over the duration of the film, but they all grow a bit over the course of the film, and they all learn something from Nate. The way Nate looks up to Heidi and the way she uses her as motivation to reconnect with her family is a particularly memorable subplot that’s heart-warming but not overly sickening. Still, the focus is mostly on Nate himself, and that’s for the best. Other Disney Plus Originals have tried to give older characters meaty storylines to rival the protagonists, at the expense of remembering who the movie is really for. But this is not the case in the case of Better Nate than ever. The supporting characters – especially the adults – aren’t one-dimensional, but the story is still mostly about Nate and his whirlwind weekend adventure.

Picture: Disney
Some elements of Better Nate than ever are larger than life, but they are features, not bugs. Yes, it’s unrealistic for two middle schoolers to drive into town for a weekend and sneak into an audition on Broadway. Yes, it’s even more unrealistic for Nate to wander around New York with no place to stay, then go viral after singing on the streets. Yes, the musical sequences in his head are over the top (although, in keeping with the film’s love of drama, they still use stage effects and practical costumes). But that’s part of the fantasy, which makes these kinds of movies so appealing to kids — and to adults who may have been that kind of kid once. Nate faces more grounded struggles, like being teased by his peers or navigating his strained relationship with his jock brother. But when it comes to bigger struggles, it’s more satisfying to watch Nate push through roadblocks, once he finally finds the momentum.
Better Nate than ever is a delight. It’s an ode to theater kids (and budding theater kids) everywhere. It doesn’t sit well with that audience, but the film is grounded enough to make it appeal to adult audiences. The story of a misfit child trying to find his way in the world is quite universal, regardless of the age of the viewer, and Better Nate than ever tells this story incredibly well through its charmingly goofy lead. Come celebrate the energy of theater kids (and the deluge of fun Broadway references) and stay for Nate’s spectacular adventure.
Better Nate than ever debuts on Disney Plus on April 1.

#Nate #Disney #needed