After almost 16 years, a door that fans believed would remain closed opens. When Camp Rock premiered in 2008, the film received 8.9 million viewers on the night of its premiere. Making it the second highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) at the time. It remains the third highest viewed DCOM of all time below High School Musical 2 and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie. The mic was passed to the next generation as they experience what makes Camp Rock special.

When Connect 3 loses their opening act for a major reunion tour, they return to their beloved Camp Rock to discover the next big thing. As campers vie for the chance to open for their favorite band, tensions rise and friendships are tested. Leading to unexpected alliances, revelations, and romances.

Spoilers ahead!

What Happens In Camp Rock 3

After Connect 3 loses their opening act for their reunion tour named “Reconnected”, the three band mates couldn’t be more disconnected. We see just how much has changed in their lives that also seem to parallels the Jonas Brothers actual lives. Shane (Joe Jonas) forever the Rocker, Nate (Nick Jonas) has become a Movie Star and Jason (Kevin Jonas) the Dad. The tension is palpable as they face communication problems. Leaving their tour manager Lark (Sherry Cola) to play mediator for three grown men. They decide the best place find their next act is to go back to where it all began. Lark is left in charge to handle the day-to-day of the competition while the boys prep for their sold out tour. The campers have to face three challenges before making it to the Final Jam.

Connie Torres (Maria Canels-Barrera) has taken over from Brown as the Camp Director. And truly feels like the most natural progression. A new generation has come to Camp Rock all searching for different things and leave with something even greater. Sage Scott (Liamani Segura), Fletch Robinson (Malachi Barton), Desi Scott (Hudson Stone) Rosie Kleinman (Lumi Pollack), and Cliff Carmichael (Casey Trotter) all came to camp searching for something different. Competing against one another for the opening act spot they leave with something even greater.

Siblings Desi and Sage are not seeing eye to eye either. Desi feels abandoned after Sage leaves their band for her new school. Sage feels like she made a decision that was going to help her take her music more seriously. Callie (Brooklynn Pitts) becomes Lark’s assistant in the competition as she has no interest in competing. Deciding to play to her strengths as a dancer and teaching Desi how step up his own game.

Reliving the Nostalgia

Nostalgia has been calling and Disney has picked up. When you think of the top Disney Channel Original Movie musicals there’s always four names that you hear. The Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, Descendants and Camp Rock. Each of these DCOMs has been revitalized for the new generation. The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen is the latest DCOM making its return. Seeing that its success has led to future musical franchises. The world needs more growl power.

Taking moments from the first two movies and working them into the film is a love letter to the generation who grew up with them. The small moments that might not seem really big but will warm the heart of all the millennials watching. With songs like “Brand New Day”kicking us off it lets the viewers usher these new campers. “Play My Music” works really well showcasing each of what these campers bring to the competition. “Start the Party” test their dancing abilities. I will admit that at times while I enjoyed the callbacks sometimes didn’t feel as natural as it could have felt. It would appear as a more remember this or remember that moment. Which doesn’t take you out of it but is noticeable.

Though if the goal is let the younger audience through the new cast and introducing them to these songs that will lead them to discovering the first two films than the nostalgia is worth it.

Camp Rock 3 Finds Its Voice

When you come to Camp Rock its more than where legends are made. It is a place that let’s you discover not only the kind of artist you aspire to be but also the person you want to be. What makes Camp Rock 3 a great addition to the franchise is that each of these next generation of campers is that no one is alike. They all have have unique personalities, music styles, and worries that make this film better overall story wise than its predecessors. Outside of the three main antagonist, lead by influencer Madison (Ava Jean) who maybe sort of serve the plot but doesn’t necessarily need the classic bully trope to thrive.

While the Jonas Brothers play a smaller part in this film you still feel their presence throughout. Especially with the opening scene performing “Come on Over” which sums up their journey as a band. Demi Lovato was slated as an executive producer and not expected to reprise her role as Mitchie Torres. However it would not be a Camp Rock movie without her and luckily she agreed. Demi Lovato makes a small cameo as she watches the new cast take their moment and own it.

Another Disney Channel star makes a surprising crossover cameo in the film. Milo Manheim join in a small role as a guest speaker in the songwriting class who was a former Camp Rock alum. Sherry Cola as Lark will be the fan favorite just as much as the younger cast members. She adds a levity that brings so much to the scene that even if she’s being a taskmaster you still find her so endearing. Despite her acting like she doesn’t like being at camp, it grows in her heart like everyone one whoever comes there.

Each of these new characters are relatable and the audience will be able to see themselves in one or more characters often as the film continues. Cliff represents everyone who’s ever been told they are too much. Desi represents those who are good are afraid that taking it serious means taking away from the artistry. Fletch struggles with his own abandonment issues. Rosie represents everyone who is struggling with stepping out of their own comfront zone and being in the spotlight. Sage represents those who are so ambitious that you think you have to do it alone no matter the cost.

A theme within Camp Rock 3 is that being ambitious and hard working when going after your dream is never a bad thing. But it does matter that way you go about being ambitious. Don’t forget to be in the moment. To enjoy the journey. It doesn’t mean you should forsake everything and everyone to go after what you want. You should never lose who you are in the process. Music is about hard work and having fun. It needs both.

The Music Standsout

The music is just as important as the story. And Camp Rock 3 delivers some standout songs that I have no doubt will everyone conversing on which is their favorite song and which song in the best in the soundtrack.

“One Beat Away” is the first big opening number that reminds you of chasing your dreams and going after your goals. It’s one of my favorite numbers where the choreography shines and everybody is giving it their all. “Tomorrow” performed by Malachi Barton is a beautiful ballad. The song invokes such strong emotions. The kind you feel with your first crush. The anticipation that builds in those moments of just noticing the small things about someone. “Rhythm’s Only Right” is a fun song. Don’t get me wrong it is certainly cheesy, but the right kind of cheesy. It highlights the sibling bond between Desi and Sage that was fractured now on the same beat.

“Echo” is where we see the our five campers bonding in this new friendship despite competing against each other. Music is a language they all understand and when they sing and play together it highlights how deep their connection is growing. Reminds me of another DCOM Lemonade Mouth. That sense of unity and being apart of something bigger than yourself that only feels write when sing it.

“Play It My Way” is where we see Rosie step out of the background and into the spotlight and take up space. No longer apologizing for not being the person people expect her to be. It’s edgy and empowering.

“Work in Progress” is my standout song. It’s a song that encourages us all to remember that we are not perfect. We’re still growing, learning and that we should never stop trying to be the best version of ourselves we can. Even if we don’t always get it right. We’re gonna make mistakes and that’s okay too.

There are some weaker songs on the soundtrack but the soundtrack will have a sound for everyone. Even if its not your style, I applaud them for experimenting and highlighting the different music styles in the way they did.

Camp Rock 3 – Final Thoughts

I want a Camp Rock 4. With former character cameos that makes sense for the story. Especially with Mitchie taking on a bigger role but focused solely on these characters and their journey after opening for Connect 3 and returning to Camp Rock. Would love to see more exploration into the new romances that are hinted at but did not fully develop. The ending leaves that door open for the possibility. A movie that no longer holds onto the past but standing on its own feet. In this case, I believe they can carry that responsibility well.

Liamani Segura is definitely a generational talent to watch.

Camp Rock 3 premieres on Disney Channel on August 13 and streams on Disney+ the next day.