NANCY DREW (2007)

Everyone knows who Nancy Drew is. She's been around since the thirties and been in more movie adaptations than I can count. I still remember the old television series with Nancy Drew teaming up with The Hardy Boys.
Being of the male persuasion, I read Hardy Boys. Any red blooded male wouldn't be caught reading Nancy drew. Okay, I confess, I read a couple. In my opinion, Hardy Boys was better, but what do I know? I'm a smelly boy.
Now Hollywood has given us what may be one of the best adaptations of the written word. Nancy Drew (Julia Roberts' niece, Emma Roberts) manages to play it sincere without being some sort of one dimensional, unbelievable, cartoony kind of figure. Her manners and attitude are actually a breath of fresh air when she arrives with her dad (Tate Donovan) in Hollywood. He's there to do some legal work and she's there to solve a mystery. Of course, she has to keep this from her father as she has promised not to do any sleuthing while they are there.
Nancy has rented them a house belonging to a movie star who died under mysterious circumstances. It isn't long before she is hot on the case and there are people who do not want this particular case solved.
What can I say? This movie works without being overblown. Sure, there are cameos by Bruce Willis, Chris Kattan and Adam Goldberg. We get solid character actors like Barry Bostwick to help it along, but in the end, the show belongs to Emma Roberts. She is a marvel to behold in this role. She is coming across as the iconic teen sleuth and seems tailor made for the part.
This DVD has taken a while to get out to the market but, maybe while waiting for the right time, Warner Brothers has managed to start cultivating interest in a family friendly flick aimed at young girls. I think I smell a sequel on the horizon, but it would be a shame to put anyone else in the titular role.
Another definite plus is this will send children of all ages back to the source books for even more enjoyment of a definite classic series.
And if that wasn't enough, here are some more specifics concerning the DVD release from Warner Brothers;
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) announced today that NANCY DREW and NANCY DREW: DREW’S CLUES, a full-length “Movies that Pop” edition of the film are now available via On Demand and for Download. Using a strategy for film pioneered by WBDD called “Movies that Pop,” NANCY DREW: DREW’S CLUES immerses fans into the movie through special clues, trivia and behind-the-scenes secrets that let viewers test their own detective skills.

With NANCY DREW: DREW’S CLUES, fans of the best-selling literary franchise get to sleuth alongside their favorite teen detective and solve a few mysteries of their own! As Nancy uncovers key evidence, clues appear on screen that gives viewers hints on how she might crack the case. Trivia also appears throughout the movie revealing fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits about filming, stunts (many performed by Emma Roberts herself) and even Nancy Drew’s distinctive wardrobe.

Magnifying glass and fingerprint powder in hand, Emma Roberts (“Unfabulous”) stars as Nancy Drew in a fun, witty, modern makeover of the timeless Carolyn Keene book series. While unearthing clues to solve her latest mystery, the death of Hollywood starlet Dehlia Draycott, Nancy not only finds danger, adventure, romance, and the coolest fashion, but also discovers that life in Los Angeles is quite a bit different than her hometown of River Heights. In fact, the biggest mystery the perky, plaid-clad sleuth faces might be how to fit in with the text-messaging teen queens of mean she meets at Hollywood High.

As Nancy Drew is a detective with a unique eye for fashion, WBDD is offering fans a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree at the store of their choice in the “Clothes the Case” sweepstakes. By visiting the official website at www.nancydrew-drewsclues.com, fans can enter to win the grand prize, learn more about their favorite teenage sleuth and view bonus clips.

As a leader in the digital home entertainment industry, Warner Bros. has paved the way with innovative original content such as “Movies that Pop.” Launched in December 2005 as a special bonus feature for BATMAN BEGINS, “Movies that Pop” offered On Demand and Pay-Per-View audiences a new way to experience selected scenes in their favorite films. The “Movies that Pop” bonus feature concept was also applied to other blockbuster films including HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and V FOR VENDETTA. In 2006, WBDD took the “Movies the Pop” format one step further by applying it to the Academy Award-winning documentary MARCH OF THE PENGUINS in its entirety.

“The ‘Movies that Pop’ model enhances the value proposition of digitally distributed films,” said Stephanie Bohn, director of marketing for Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “We anticipate NANCY DREW: DREW’S CLUES will resonate strongly with NANCY DREW fans of all ages as viewers get an inside scoop unavailable elsewhere. We look forward to bringing additional “Movies that Pop” titles to market in the future,”

NANCY DREW and NANCY DREW: DREW’S CLUES is available in a combined 61 million digital cable and satellite households including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox, Cablevision, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV and Dish Network, and through other key digital distributors such as iTunes, Amazon Unbox and Xbox. The release of NANCY DREW continues Warner Bros.’ strategy of releasing films On Demand, Pay Per View, and for download to own the same day as the film releases on DVD. Since July 2007, Warner Bros. has released fifteen feature length films on VOD day & date with DVD.

“As evidenced by consumer research and title performance, a simultaneous release across all home entertainment platforms is most effective” says Michele Edelman, vice president of Marketing for Warner Bros Digital Distribution. “Our goal is to provide movie fans with maximum choice in how to rent and own our films.”