Recommendations of the Editorial team
The beginning is promising: Miley is on the way to the Disney studios, we see old scenes, interviews and “Rock Star” plays in the background. There is a hustle and bustle behind the scenes and Miley opens the special with the title song “The Best of Both Worlds” – a goosebumps moment for many fans. Suddenly you’re that kid again, sitting on the sofa after school and watching Disney Channel.
Many old memories return as Miley Cyrus enters the recreated living room setting. The purple walls of the kitchen, the light green sofa and the iconic bar table with colorful patterned legs – every detail is right. Miley describes it best in the scene: “It’s just as I remember it. It feels like home again.”
But it’s not just the old living room that becomes the backdrop again, the iconic wardrobe also returns as one of the most famous elements of the show. Hidden behind an ordinary Miley Stewart closet is a secret room where a quick switch between two identities takes place. The walk-in closet with glitter, sequins and pop star outfits – every girl’s dream.
We see a very touching scene when Miley sits at the dining room table with her father Billy Ray Cyrus and reproduces a dialogue from “The Big Reveal (Part 2)”. An episode about Miley’s indecision about her double life. The compilation of the father-daughter duo from now and then illustrates the main message of the entire series. The path from a role to identity, from uncertainty to decision and from hiding to honesty. Even though the question “Are you telling me I have to give up Hannah Montana?”
The performances of the songs “This Is The Life” and “The Climb” are also emotional moments in the special.
Too much Miley Cyrus?
Whether at home in front of the TV or in the audience, seeing Miley perform these classics again today brings some to tears. The new song “Younger You” is an enrichment: It conveys the need to preserve the values, dreams and lightness of childhood. It’s a fitting message, especially at the end, that despite personal development, you don’t completely forget who you once were.
But “Hannahversary” was unfortunately not entirely well received after it was broadcast. Some fans are missing other cast members like Lilly, Oliver or Jackson. This makes it less of a “real reunion” like we saw on the red carpet. Some would have liked different perspectives with an open exchange between the cast members. So the special turned out to be very one-sided, with “too much focus on Miley”.
Overall, however, it can be said that the special is a nice reminder of the old days for fans. Maybe it’s the beginning of a renewed Disney era? The childhood classic “Camp Rock” with Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers is also returning with a third part this summer. Speculation arises when you take a closer look at the pink suitcase at the beginning and end of the Hannah Montana special: Was it perhaps not the last we saw of Miley as Hannah?
