"Hannah Montana: The Movie" is an American teen musical comedy-drama film based on the Disney Channel television series of the same name. It was the second theatrical film based on a Disney Channel Original Series, after "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" (2003).
The film was directed by Peter Chelsom. It tells the story of how Hannah Montana's popularity begins to take over Miley's life. Her father forces her to take a trip to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tennessee, to get some perspective on what matters most in her life.
Taylor playes a nameless singer who showed up at the Crowley Corners fundraiser and to play "Crazier", a slow song that Miley and her love interest Travis dance to.
The film was released theatrically by Walt Disney Pictures on April 10, 2009 in the United States and Canada. It achieved commercial success, grossing $155 million in worldwide box office revenue, and receiving mixed critical response.
SOUNDTRACK
Walt Disney Records released the soundtrack on March 24, 2009,
on the third anniversary of "Hannah Montana's" 2006 debut. Taylor contributed "Crazier" and co-wrote the movie's final song, "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home."
"Crazier" received critical acclaim. Heather Phares of Allmusic praised the track, calling it "the best song on Hannah Montana: The Movie". She complimented it for being "more genuine, more effortless, than any of [Cyrus'] or Hannah's tracks". James Berardinelli agreed, stating, "Arguably, the movie's biggest mistake is having Taylor Swift perform a song, since she can sing and the comparison is not flattering to the movie's star." Premiere magazine reviewer Olivia Putnal referred to Taylor's performance one of the film's "high points". Peter Hartlaub of The San Francisco Chronicle believed that Taylor's cameo was enjoyable, but also calls it a mistake on the part of the filmmakers, explaining "Swift is so talented that she makes Cyrus seem bland by comparison." Perry Seibert from TV Guide wrote, "when genuine teen star Taylor Swift shows up to perform [...] she demonstrates all the spontaneity and authenticity that Miley Cyrus lacks."