All Rise...

Judge David Johnson is in the house. The doghouse, that is. He accidentally set fire to his wife's housecat.

Editor's Note

Our review of Cory In The House: Newt And Improved, published May 28th, 2008, is also available.

The Charge

With all-star houseguests.

The Case

Spun off from the enormously successful Disney sitcom with a horrible name That's So Raven, Cory in the House picks up with Raven's little brother (Kyle Massey) and the family's adventures in the White House, where his dad (Rondell Sheridan) is the head chef. Together with his goofy friends, Cory gets into wacky adventures that also happen to be zany, and just a little bit crazy! Though the series is just starting, Disney has released a four-episode compilation, all tied together in with the theme of "very special guest stars."

• "Never the Dwayne Shall Meet"
Cory can barely contain his excitement when he learns that none other than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (who, if you've noticed, is inching ever closer to jettisoning his wrestling alias) is visiting the White House. So he develops a get-rich quick idea to pitch to The Rock, but Cory's plans are squelched when he and his friends find themselves locked in a closet.

• "That's So in the House"
The President wants to liven up the White House tour guide wardrobe and Cory has just the idea for a fashion designer: his sister Raven. To much audience hullabaloo, Raven makes her appearance and promptly mucks thing up. One thing leads to another and Cory winds up cross-dressing.

• "Air Force One Too Many"
When Cory accidentally gives Alaska away to a Russian diplomat, he sneaks onto Air Force One to put the problem right. George Takei guest stars as a butler, further cementing this episode's status as quasi-nightmarish.

• "Just Desserts"
I give up. I don't know who the very special guest star is in this on. What I do know is that a whole lot of cupcakes explode.

What discerns Cory in the House from its Disney sitcom brethren? Not much really. The plots are still corny and the jokes geared toward the prepubescent. While not an exceptionally painful experience, watching four episodes of this series was enough to deter me from ever tuning into it on television on purpose. Still, I can see where a certain demographic—the bubblegum teeny-boppers and their little sisters—will enjoy this series. Would I rather rubber cement my big toe to a live ferret than watch more episodes of Cory in the House? You bet, but if I had age-appropriate kids and nephews, they'd probably enjoy it.

Technically, the DVD is completely generic and adequate (full frame, 5.1 surround). Two behind-the-scenes featurettes ("Raven in the House" and "Rock the House" focusing on Raven's and The Rock's guest spots respectively) and some previews are it for the extras.

Give us your feedback!

Did we give Cory In The House: All Star Edition a fair trial? yes / no

What's "fair"? Whether positive or negative, our reviews should be unbiased, informative, and critique the material on its own merits.

Share This Review

Follow DVD Verdict

Other Reviews You Might Enjoy

• The Vice Academy Collection
• Motherhood
• Comedy Central Roast Of Pamela Anderson
• Samantha Who? The Complete Second Season