Rags

Rags is an original Nickelodeon movie starring Max Schneider and Keke Palmer. Max was first exposed to the world in the short-lived 'How To Rock'. The show was horrible despite a strong first episode but Max is one of the saving graces of the show. He has since then established himself as a popular Youtuber who does wonderful covers. I'm a big fan of Max. I'm uncertain about Keke but I think she started out from True Jackson, V.P. and she starred in 'Joyful Noise'. I first heard of her from the song 'Tonight' which was played during the ending credits of Night At The Museum. Others who appeared are Drake Bell (as the narrator and 'fairy good-mother'), Avan Jogia (sporting a posh accent and looking hot as always) and what's-his-name who starred in House of Anubis (lol sorry).

Enough of the actors and actress, Rags is about a young man named Charlie Prince (Max) who enjoys singing and performing. However, he was stuck in working as a cleaner/slave in his late mother's cafe under his stepfather and stepbrothers without earning even a single penny. Despite being mistreated by his step-family, a married couple staying under the same roof as him - Martha and Diego- cared for him and treated him like their own son. Meanwhile, popular and successful Kadee Worth (Keke) was not satisfied performing songs that did not define her. To make things worse, her fake relationship with another hot star named Finn (Avan) was established to help her sell more records. Her father is the chairman of Majestic Records who turned a deaf ear to her pleas to simply be her.

Through Shawn(Drake)'s involvement, Charlie was able to work in Majestic Records as a janitor and recorded some demo songs. Charlie helped Kadee express herself through the songs she wrote by herself. Kadee was grateful towards Charlie and fell in love with Rags, who's actually Charlie, who performed in her exclusive party and encouraged her to be "just you". When Charlie/Rags was about to rush home before his stepfather checked on him, Kadee stopped him to ask for his identity but she was answered with a kiss. As Charlie/Rags made his way home, he dropped his demo CD in the process which Kadee picked up.

Unable to forget about Rags, Kadee took charge and held a search for the Rags. She first told Charlie and gushed about Rags in front of him. However, his step-father found about his identity and trapped him in a closet which brought enough time for his son to steal his thunder and be Rags instead. Charlie managed to escape but was too late as his step-brother already stole his identity. Upset, during the celebration of the success of finding the real Rags, Charlie was about to leave but was stopped by Kadee who eventually found out when Charlie accidentally slipped out about being "just you" earlier on. Charlie and Kadee then sang their own solo songs, and Charlie soon found out that his late mother actually passed the cafe down to Charlie not his step-family.

The movie then ended with Charlie and Kadee singing a duet song 'Me and You Against The World' in front of a huge audience, with her father and Shawn beaming among the crowd.

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Verdict

I really love this movie. To be honest, when this movie was first announced back in 2012, I couldn't wait to watch it until it was fully released. I love Max and I love stories where the gender roles are reversed. And I watched the performance of 'Me And You Against The World' in Kid's Choice Awards beforehand and freaking love it. (Though I couldn't find the clip anymore, sadly)

Even if it is predictable, it is still enjoyable to watch, bringing smiles to my face and making me sing and dance to the songs. I tell you, Max can perform really well and I fell in love with him even more when I watched it again just now. Drake's appearance was brief but his role is pivotal to turning Charlie into a 'bonafide artiste' and indirectly strengthening the relationship between Kadee and Charlie. 

Acting-wise, it is pretty solid. I only disliked the stepfather but I guess he was meant to be hated. Everyone else is pretty good, playing their roles well as they should be. I think Keke and Max has wonderful chemistry with each other. I think they make a really great couple in my opinion.

The music is amazing, especially the ones sung by Max and obviously 'Me and You Against the World'. I have their songs in my phone and still listen to them till this day.