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Minutemen (film)
Encyclopedia
Minutemen is a 2008 science-fiction
Disney Channel Original Movie.
The film was written by John Killoran (writing the teleplay) and David Diamond
and David Weissman
(writing the story) and directed by Lev L. Spiro
, who received a Director's Guild nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programs for it. Andrew Gunn, Ann Marie Sanderlin and Doug Sloan are the executive producers. The movie was originally slated for release in March 2008, however, the movie premiered on Disney Channel
in United States on January 25, 2008.
), Derek Beaugard (Steven R. McQueen
) and Stephanie Jameson (Chelsea Kane) decide to begin their paths by trying out for various activities. While Derek tries for the football team and Stephanie begins cheerleading, Virgil's high school career takes a bad turn. Charlie Tuttle (Luke Benward
), a genius who skipped many grades, rockets onto the field on a rocket-propelled car, losing control until Derek throws a football at him and knocks him off. Virgil defends Charlie while Derek just sits by. Virgil and Charlie are forced to dress as cheerleaders and are hung on the school mascot's, a bighorn sheep
, horns.
Three years later, senior year, Virgil and Charlie are still outcasts. Charlie informs Virgil that he has brilliantly invented a time machine. Unaware of how to build the time machine, the duo recruits Zeke (Nicholas Braun
). When the time machine is built, Virgil, still regretting the first day of high school, decides that he would like to use the machine to undo embarrassing mistakes made by their classmates. They test the time machine out by buying a winning lottery ticket.
Jeanette (Kara Crane) helps the trio save outcasts from social embarrassment by providing them with white snowsuits to wear and handles the machine while the boys are time-traveling. The school's vice-principal
(J. P. Manoux) attempts to stop the "Snowsuit Guys", the name everybody knows them by.
After the "Snowsuit Guys" are named local heroes, they save Stephanie from falling off her cheerleader's pyramid. Realizing that the hero was Virgil, Stephanie confronts Virgil and he is finally allowed to hang out with the popular kids. The time machine eventually begins to cause terrible consequences, however. The outcasts have become popular and have let it go to their heads. Virgil abandons Charlie and Zeke. Meanwhile, Stephanie learns that Derek is cheating on her and Derek falsely befriends Virgil to get him to change everything with the time machine.
The FBI arrives in the town after monitoring suspicious activity. Virgil and Zeke learn that Charlie had stolen the time machine blueprints from the NASA mainframe. After consulting with the government's top scientists, Charlie learns that the time machine has created a black hole
. With only hours to live, the trio decide to go into the hole and close it.
Once they have entered the black hole, they are transported back to their first day of high school. Virgil realizes that he can undo the events that caused him to lose his popularity. When he arrives at the field he sees that Derek didn't try to stop the bullies but actually suggested dressing Virgil and Charlie up as cheerleaders. Charlie informs Virgil that the incident gave him a best friend, and without it they Virgil, Zeke and Charlie wouldn't have become friends.
They manage to close the black hole and return to the day when they first tried time-traveling. Everything goes back to normal and Virgil confesses his feelings towards Stephanie (and she for him). Virgil confronts Derek and realizes that Derek will always be a jerk. As Virgil and Stephanie embrace, Charlie walks up to them and eagerly suggests a new idea: Teleportation, but Virgil and Zeke drag him off, and the credits roll.
first released an official press via its press release website DisneyChannelMedianet.com on July 14, 2007 to confirm the production of Minutemen. The lead star, plot, writers, director and executive producers of this movie was also announced in this press. In addition, another 2008 DCOM named Camp Rock
, scheduled to begin production in August 2007, was also confirmed in the same press.
. Murray High School
was also the set of: Take Down (1978), Read It and Weep
(2006), the auditorium scene of High School Musical
(2006), and High School Musical: Get in the Picture
(2008). Filming also took place at Highland High School located in Sugar House
.
was released January 22, 2008 on Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 10
and its music video premiered on Disney Channel
. Another single titled "Like Whoa
" from Aly & AJ began airing January 19, 2008 around the world, as a music video on Disney Channel. The song could be purchased on album, Insomniatic
.
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
Disney Channel Original Movie.
The film was written by John Killoran (writing the teleplay) and David Diamond
David Diamond (screenwriter)
David Diamond is an American screenwriter. His film credits include The Family Man, Old Dogs, When in Rome, Evolution and the television film Minutemen.Frequently collaborates with David Weissman.-External links:...
and David Weissman
David Weissman
David Weissman is a screenwriter and director. His film credits include The Family Man , Evolution , and When in Rome .-External links:...
(writing the story) and directed by Lev L. Spiro
Lev L. Spiro
Lev L. Spiro is an American television and film director. In addition to multiple episodes of shows such as Weeds, Arrested Development, Ugly Betty, Gilmore Girls and The O.C., he directed the television films Minutemen and Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.-Early life:Spiro earned dual...
, who received a Director's Guild nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programs for it. Andrew Gunn, Ann Marie Sanderlin and Doug Sloan are the executive producers. The movie was originally slated for release in March 2008, however, the movie premiered on Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
in United States on January 25, 2008.
Plot
On the first day of high school, best friends Virgil Fox (Jason DolleyJason Dolley
Jason Scott Dolley , is an American actor and musician, best known for his roles on different Disney Channel projects. These include Newton "Newt" Livingston III on Cory in the House, Virgil Fox in Minutemen, Connor Kennedy in Read It and Weep and Pete Ivey in Hatching Pete...
), Derek Beaugard (Steven R. McQueen
Steven R. McQueen
Steven R. McQueen - and also known as 'Steven Chadwick McQueen' - is an American actor, best known for his role as Jeremy Gilbert in The CW show The Vampire Diaries and his recurring role as Kyle Hunter in the drama series Everwood. McQueen uses the name 'Steven R...
) and Stephanie Jameson (Chelsea Kane) decide to begin their paths by trying out for various activities. While Derek tries for the football team and Stephanie begins cheerleading, Virgil's high school career takes a bad turn. Charlie Tuttle (Luke Benward
Luke Benward
Luke Aaron Benward is an American teen actor and singer, best known for his starring role as Billy Forrester in How to Eat Fried Worms and as Charlie Tuttle in the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie, Minutemen. He also played the role of "Nicky" in Mostly Ghostly: Who Let the Ghosts Out? and...
), a genius who skipped many grades, rockets onto the field on a rocket-propelled car, losing control until Derek throws a football at him and knocks him off. Virgil defends Charlie while Derek just sits by. Virgil and Charlie are forced to dress as cheerleaders and are hung on the school mascot's, a bighorn sheep
Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
, horns.
Three years later, senior year, Virgil and Charlie are still outcasts. Charlie informs Virgil that he has brilliantly invented a time machine. Unaware of how to build the time machine, the duo recruits Zeke (Nicholas Braun
Nicholas Braun
Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Braun is an American actor.-Life and career:Braun was born in Bethpage, New York, the son of Elizabeth Lyle and actor Craig Braun...
). When the time machine is built, Virgil, still regretting the first day of high school, decides that he would like to use the machine to undo embarrassing mistakes made by their classmates. They test the time machine out by buying a winning lottery ticket.
Jeanette (Kara Crane) helps the trio save outcasts from social embarrassment by providing them with white snowsuits to wear and handles the machine while the boys are time-traveling. The school's vice-principal
Vice-principal
In larger school systems, a principal is often assisted by someone known as a vice-principal or assistant principal. Unlike the principal, the vice-principal does not have quite the decision-making authority that the principal carries...
(J. P. Manoux) attempts to stop the "Snowsuit Guys", the name everybody knows them by.
After the "Snowsuit Guys" are named local heroes, they save Stephanie from falling off her cheerleader's pyramid. Realizing that the hero was Virgil, Stephanie confronts Virgil and he is finally allowed to hang out with the popular kids. The time machine eventually begins to cause terrible consequences, however. The outcasts have become popular and have let it go to their heads. Virgil abandons Charlie and Zeke. Meanwhile, Stephanie learns that Derek is cheating on her and Derek falsely befriends Virgil to get him to change everything with the time machine.
The FBI arrives in the town after monitoring suspicious activity. Virgil and Zeke learn that Charlie had stolen the time machine blueprints from the NASA mainframe. After consulting with the government's top scientists, Charlie learns that the time machine has created a black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
. With only hours to live, the trio decide to go into the hole and close it.
Once they have entered the black hole, they are transported back to their first day of high school. Virgil realizes that he can undo the events that caused him to lose his popularity. When he arrives at the field he sees that Derek didn't try to stop the bullies but actually suggested dressing Virgil and Charlie up as cheerleaders. Charlie informs Virgil that the incident gave him a best friend, and without it they Virgil, Zeke and Charlie wouldn't have become friends.
They manage to close the black hole and return to the day when they first tried time-traveling. Everything goes back to normal and Virgil confesses his feelings towards Stephanie (and she for him). Virgil confronts Derek and realizes that Derek will always be a jerk. As Virgil and Stephanie embrace, Charlie walks up to them and eagerly suggests a new idea: Teleportation, but Virgil and Zeke drag him off, and the credits roll.
Cast
- Jason DolleyJason DolleyJason Scott Dolley , is an American actor and musician, best known for his roles on different Disney Channel projects. These include Newton "Newt" Livingston III on Cory in the House, Virgil Fox in Minutemen, Connor Kennedy in Read It and Weep and Pete Ivey in Hatching Pete...
as Virgil Fox - Luke BenwardLuke BenwardLuke Aaron Benward is an American teen actor and singer, best known for his starring role as Billy Forrester in How to Eat Fried Worms and as Charlie Tuttle in the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie, Minutemen. He also played the role of "Nicky" in Mostly Ghostly: Who Let the Ghosts Out? and...
as Charlie Tuttle - Nicholas BraunNicholas BraunNicholas Joseph "Nick" Braun is an American actor.-Life and career:Braun was born in Bethpage, New York, the son of Elizabeth Lyle and actor Craig Braun...
as Zeke Thompson - Chelsea Staub as Stephanie Jameson
- J. P. Manoux as Vice Principal Stewart Tolkan
- Steven R. McQueenSteven R. McQueenSteven R. McQueen - and also known as 'Steven Chadwick McQueen' - is an American actor, best known for his role as Jeremy Gilbert in The CW show The Vampire Diaries and his recurring role as Kyle Hunter in the drama series Everwood. McQueen uses the name 'Steven R...
as Derek Beaugard - Kara Crane as Jeanette Pachelewski
- Dexter Darden as Chester
- Kellie Cockrell as Jocelyn Lee
- Molly JepsonMolly JepsonMolly Jepson is an American actress best known for her role in Daddy Day Camp and her role as Amy in the Disney Channel original movie Minutemen. Jepson's father, Jim Jepson and brother, Austin Jepson are also actors. She attends Monticello Academy in West Valley City, Utah.- External links :...
as Amy Fox - Larry Filion as F.B.I. Agent (uncredited)
Back to the Future allusions
- Charlie's pet cat is named after Albert EinsteinAlbert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, similar to Dr. Emmett L. Brown's dog. - Albert Felinestein (Charlie's cat) becomes the world's first time traveler, and his clock is one minute off when returning, alluding to how Doc Brown's dog was in exactly the same situation in Back to the FutureBack to the FutureBack to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
. - When Albert Felinestein returns from the first time travel, he is covered in frost. In Back to the Future, when the DeLorean returns from its first time travel with Einstein, it is also covered in frost. It is explained in both films that time travel creates big temperature variations, prompting Virgil, Charlie, and Zeke to wear the snowsuits.
- The club Virgil, Charlie, and Zeke created to get a place to build the time machine in is named the "Back to the Future Fan Club."
- The band at the school dance performs songs similar to "Johnny B. GoodeJohnny B. Goode"Johnny B. Goode" is a 1958 rock and roll song written and originally performed by American musician Chuck Berry. The song was a major hit among both black and white audiences peaking at #2 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song is one of Chuck Berry's...
" and "Earth Angel." - The place Virgil, Charlie, and Zeke go to get suitable parts for the time machine is Thompson's Cycle Cemetery, which is a reference to the actress who played Lorraine Baines McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy, Lea ThompsonLea ThompsonLea Katherine Thompson is an American actress and director. She is best known for her 1990s NBC situation comedy Caroline in the City and her portrayal of Lorraine Baines McFly, Marty McFly's mother, in the Back to the Future trilogy...
. - Vice Principal Tolkan is named after actor James TolkanJames TolkanJames S. Tolkan is an American actor, often cast as a strict, overbearing, bald-headed authority figure.-Personal life:He was born in Calumet, Michigan, the son of Ralph M. Tolkan, a cattle dealer, and attended the University of Iowa, Coe College, the Actors Studio and Eastern Arizona College...
, who played the Principal Strickland, who was also bald, in the trilogyBack to the Future trilogyThe Back to the Future trilogy is a comedic science fiction adventure film series written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, directed by Zemeckis, produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. The main plot follows the adventures of a high school student Marty McFly and...
. On an additional note, Vice Principal Tolkan's character is very similar to Vice Principal Hacket from Phil of the FuturePhil of the FuturePhil of the Future is an American situation comedy that originally aired on Disney Channel from June 18, 2004, to August 19, 2006 for a total of two seasons. The series was created by Tim Maile and Douglas Tuber and produced by 2121 Productions, a part of Brookwell McNamara Entertainment...
. They are both vice principals played by J. P. Manoux, and they spend their time attempting to learn secrets about the main characters, rather than helping the school. - When the Minutemen go back in time to keep the football team from losing, Jeanette, watches a newspaper article change from a losing team to a victory. In Back To The Future Part IIBack to the Future Part IIBack to the Future Part II is a 1989 American science fiction comedy film and the second installment of the Back to the Future trilogy. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson and Lea Thompson...
, Marty McFlyMarty McFlyMartin Seamus "Marty" McFly, Sr. is the protagonist in the Back to the Future film trilogy, and is portrayed by actor Michael J. Fox. Marty was also the protagonist in the animated series where he was voiced by David Kaufman...
watched the article of his father's death change to his father's honor as an author and Doc Brown watched the newspaper article change from his committing to the institution to his honor. - Virgil's last name is Fox, the same as the actor who portrayed Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy, Michael J. FoxMichael J. FoxMichael J. Fox, OC is a Canadian American actor, author, producer, activist and voice-over artist. With a film and television career spanning from the late 1970s, Fox's roles have included Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy ; Alex P...
. - The film involves disrupting the space-time continuum, like in Back to the FutureBack to the FutureBack to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
.
Scientific inaccuracy
- When Albert Felinestein is let into the portal on a leash, and then pulled back out, they check his clock and their clock and find that his clock is one minute behind theirs. However, as the cat existed the whole time he went back in time, and then came back, the clock would have continued to run just as theirs had, so long as both clocks had been set at the same time.
- The movie fails to address a version of the Grandfather paradoxGrandfather paradoxThe grandfather paradox is a proposed paradox of time travel first described by the science fiction writer René Barjavel in his 1943 book Le Voyageur Imprudent . The paradox is this: suppose a man traveled back in time and killed his biological grandfather before the latter met the traveler's...
in that when something bad happens, they go back and fix it, and then return to their time. However, what should have happened was that since whatever accident they wanted to fix was fixed, they wouldn't know that they were supposed to go back in time, so they wouldn't, so the problem would exist, so they would fix it, so there wouldn't be a problem, etc. Some argue that the failed address to the grandfather paradox may be the cause of the "black hole" that appears in the ending portion of the film. However, this is simply incorrect, as the "black hole" created during the movie follows no laws of physics known to man. - While the black hole created in the film takes an inordinate amount of time to consume the planet, an actual black hole would have taken in the entire planet and would have caused all living beings on the planet to have died via the process of spaghettificationSpaghettificationIn astrophysics, spaghettification is the vertical stretching and horizontal compression of objects into long thin shapes in a very strong gravitational field, and is caused by extreme tidal forces...
. Just as well, actual black holes are not created from any sort of "rips" in the time-space continuum, but generally come into existence following a supernova and collapse of the star.
Production
Disney ChannelDisney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
first released an official press via its press release website DisneyChannelMedianet.com on July 14, 2007 to confirm the production of Minutemen. The lead star, plot, writers, director and executive producers of this movie was also announced in this press. In addition, another 2008 DCOM named Camp Rock
Camp Rock
Camp Rock is a 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie starring the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato. The music is written by Julie Brown, Paul Brown, Regina Hicks and Karen Gist. The film is directed by Matthew Diamond and produced by Alan Sacks....
, scheduled to begin production in August 2007, was also confirmed in the same press.
Location
Minutemen was filmed at Murray High SchoolMurray High School (Utah)
Murray High School is the only high school in the Murray City School District in Murray, Utah. Murray High School is one of the smallest high schools in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area with 1,585 students enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year, the school enrolls students in grades 10-12...
. Murray High School
Murray High School (Utah)
Murray High School is the only high school in the Murray City School District in Murray, Utah. Murray High School is one of the smallest high schools in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area with 1,585 students enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year, the school enrolls students in grades 10-12...
was also the set of: Take Down (1978), Read It and Weep
Read It and Weep
Read It and Weep is a 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie which premiered on July 21, 2006. It is based on the novel by Julia DeVillers. Sisters Kay and Danielle Panabaker star as Jamie Bartlett and her alter ego Isabella , respectively...
(2006), the auditorium scene of High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
(2006), and High School Musical: Get in the Picture
High School Musical: Get in the Picture
High School Musical: Get in the Picture was a reality-based TV series, which debuted July 20, 2008 on the television channel ABC. Stan Carrizosa was named the winner on September 8, 2008. Tierney Chamberlain was the runner-up....
(2008). Filming also took place at Highland High School located in Sugar House
Sugar House, Salt Lake City, Utah
Sugar House is a neighborhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. One of the city's oldest neighborhoods, the name is officially two words although it is often written as one...
.
Featured music
The first single of the movie, "Run It Back Again" by Corbin BleuCorbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu Reivers , known professionally as Corbin Bleu, is an American actor, model, dancer, producer, and singer-songwriter. He performed in the High School Musical film series, the Discovery Kids drama series Flight 29 Down, and the Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In!...
was released January 22, 2008 on Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 10
Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 10
Radio Disney Jams 10 is the tenth album in the Radio Disney Jams series and was released on January 22, 2008. It is a compilation of popular songs played on Radio Disney.- Track listing :* Note: The song "I'm Not That Girl" was used as a bonus track....
and its music video premiered on Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
. Another single titled "Like Whoa
Like Whoa
"Like Whoa" is a song by American pop duo Aly & AJ, written and recorded by the duo for their second studio album, Insomniatic. It is the second and final single from the album, released in 2008. The single release in the UK was cancelled for unknown reasons...
" from Aly & AJ began airing January 19, 2008 around the world, as a music video on Disney Channel. The song could be purchased on album, Insomniatic
Insomniatic
Insomniatic is the second studio album by American teen pop duo Aly & AJ. The album was released on July 10, 2007 in the United States, and was later released in the UK and Italy on October 22, 2007 with new cover art...
.