It’s a brand new day—and a good one, too, since Camp Rock 3 is now officially out on Disney+.
We’ve been not-so-patiently waiting all summer to screen this next installment of the legendary DCOM franchise. And today, we’re pleased to report: It was completely worth the wait. Camp Rock 3 stays faithful to the energy of the original flicks while also introducing a fresh lineup of characters you simply *have* to root for. One might say it, ahem, struck the perfect chord.
While we can’t quite choose just one fave part of Camp Rock 3 (it would be like choosing a fave Jo Bro…), we do need an excuse to gush about all the things that surprised, moved and delighted us. Take it as a sign to invite the GC over for a movie tonight….
🚨 Warning: This story contains light spoilers for Camp Rock 3. Read on at your own risk! 🚨
The highly relatable new characters
One thing we instantly adored about Camp Rock 3 was the fact that there’s a character for every type of girl to identify with. The jokester of your friend group? You’re a total Cliff. The ultimate chiller? You’ve got Desi to look to. An overachiever with a hidden inner rockstar? That’s Rosie. Driven to make all your dreams come true? Hello, Sage!
Sure, the core characters are v. different from one another, but we love that‚ despite those unique personality types, their bond as a squad feels realistic and genuine. We couldn’t have picked a better group to band together (get it?).
The callbacks to the O.G. movies
That moment when Sage finds Mitchie’s iconic songbook beneath her cabin’s floorboards? Chills.
We should have guessed there would be some ~IYKYK~ references to Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2, since when we chatted with last year’s GL cover star Liamani Segura (who plays Sage!), she teased that fans should expect some Easter Eggs. We believe “jaws are going to hit the floor” were her exact words. She wasn’t kidding.
The unearthed songbook, the “Can’t Back Down” chant and Brooklynn Pitts’s “Grab a mic and a hat” line ripped from Shane Gray himself are just a few of the throwback moments we caught during our first watch. (And, psst, you can share every Easter Egg you picked up on with us on IG @girlslifemag!).
The OMG-worthy cameos
Okay, be so for real, who saw that Milo Manheim appearance coming? We spent the last year trying to sleuth out whether the queen of Camp Rock herself, Demi Lovato, would pop up in the movie—and then Zed from ZOMBIES rolls up!
The songwriting workshop scene featuring Milo as a former-camper-turned-counselor had to be one of the funniest (and lowkey most romantic?) in the movie. Seeing Malachi Barton‘s character, Fletch, shoot his shot with Sage through song had our hearts melting.
Oh, and on the topic of Demi’s cameo? C’mon, it wouldn’t be Camp Rock without Mitchie Torres.
The dash of romance
We’ll start by saying we are forever shipping Fletch and Sage. Their meet-cute in the mess hall, constant flirty banter and dreamy duet energy during the Final Jam? Reminds us of a v. talented CR couple we used to know.
But those two aren’t the only duo with enviable onscreen chemistry. Brooklynn Pitts’s Callie and Hudson Stone‘s Desi also shared a few swoony moments. Teaching a guy to dance is the way to his heart? Writing that down…
The music (duh!)
You know it, we know it: Camp Rock has some of the best songs of any DCOM franchise. And with Camp Rock 3, that trend very much continues. Even more than Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2, though, this new movie brings together a variety of different genres and musical influences on its soundtrack (one listen to the remixed version of Connect 3’s “Play My Music” and you’ll see what we mean).
Other top tracks for us? Lumi Pollack’s (aka Rosie’s) dramatic “Play It My Way” and the whole crew’s acoustic feel-good number, “Echo.” Here’s hoping we’ll get to hear more of the CR3 jams on this fall’s Worlds Collide Concert Tour, where fans can catch Liamani, Malachi and Hudson performing live!
The found family dynamic
All of our main characters came to Camp Rock for a reason, looking for acceptance and a chance to make their dreams come true. As we see from Fletch’s misunderstood backstory, Rosie’s pressuring parents and the Scott sibs’ falling out, nobody’s life is pitch-perfect. But meeting and connecting with other people who appreciate you for you (even with your baggage) is what truly rocks.
Watch Camp Rock 3 on Disney+ now and tell us your thoughts on IG @girlslifemag!
The stars of Camp Rock 3 have been meaning to catch up with you…
🎸 EXCLUSIVE! Hudson Stone is full-sending this summer
🎤 EXCLUSIVE! This is officially the year of Liamani Segura
🎸 EXCLUSIVE! Catch Malachi Barton…if you can
Images: David Astorga
