Believe it or not, The Disney Channel did exist before the likes of Hannah Montana and High School Musical. The face of the channel has might have changed since then, but there is still at least one hit television series from the “Before Hannah Montana” era that is still around today in some form. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody was THE show on the network. Now, four years later, Zack and Cody have grown up and a new series was formed. That new series is called The Suite Life on Deck.
The series follows mischievous brothers Zack (Dylan Sprouse) and Cody Martin (Cole Sprouse) as they attend Seven Seas High. This school takes place aboard a luxury cruise ship called the S.S. Tipton. The teen boys are reunited with airheaded heiress London Tipton (Brenda Song) and uptight hotel manager Mr. Moseby (Phill Lewis). Naturally, Moseby now manages the ship in white shorts and knee-high socks.
On the ship as well is Bailey Pickett (Debby Ryan), a farm girl from Kettlecorn, Kansas, who pretends to be an urban boy (read: Step Up extra) to receive admission to school. She soon becomes London’s bunk mate, once her ruse is revealed. Cody and Zack have to bunk with the extremely messy, Woody Fink (Matthew Timmons). Finally, Miss Tutweiller (Erin Cardillo) is the only teacher we really see on the show.
The Suite Life on Deck is like the original series starring Dylan and Cole Sprouse, just in terms of how the show looks and feels. The biggest difference is the girl-obsessed storylines with Zach and Cody. But as the boys have matured, the show has not. The comedy is really the lowest of lows. There is plenty of slapstick and toilet humor for younger kids to enjoy. To even further hide the fact that the writers appear to have no ideas for comedy, there is plenty of animal wackiness to get a chuckle or two as well. Basically, every joke on the show makes fun of someone on the show and their stereotypical traits.
The majority of cast from the previous series returns is back for this new series: the chemistry remains intact. The new additions to the cast are a good fit, but none of their acting skills get pushed too hard. All they have to do is perform the same hackneyed material over and over again at a manic pace. That is a shame, since Phill Lewis and Brenda Song have much more skill than they show here. Zack and Cody are extremely likable, and are the real reason the series has stayed as popular as it has. They are able to elevate sub-par material and make it watchable at times.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – The Suite Life Sets Sail
Zack and Cody attend Seven Seas High School aboard the S.S. Tipton, where Mr. Moseby is the cruise ship manager. Cody gets a roommate even messier than Zack. Zack’s roommate, Bailey, is determined to stay on board and attend school, despite some deception. And all London wants is to get off the ship.
Episode 2 – Parrot Island
London’s father forces her to attend school aboard the S.S. Tipton, which makes her unhappy and causes her to run away to Parrot Island. London’s friends turn the ship around to bring her back, but they soon find themselves in trouble. Meanwhile, Zack and Cody fight over Bailey.
Episode 3 – The Kidney of the Sea
A crush’s rich boyfriend and rude mother try to keep Zack and her away from each other. Meanwhile, an intelligence test between London’s dog, Ivana, and Bailey’s pet pig, Porkers, is held, with Cody as the referee.
Episode 4 – Maddie on Deck
Maddie Fitzpatrick returns! She gains a new friend in Bailey. Prince Jeffy of Linchtenstamp, who’s only 8 years old, falls in love with Maddie and wants her hand in marriage. If she refuses, the ship cannot leave, so it’s up to Zack and Cody to save her honor and get the ship back on the seas.
Anchors Away! is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The transfer is good and on par with other Disney Channel sitcoms released on DVD today. Optional audio options include English 2.0 Stereo and Spanish 2.0 Stereo sound, with available subtitle options in English and Spanish.
Bonus Episodes –
There are two episodes from the first season included here as well. They are called “International Dateline” and “Mulch Ado About Nothing”. In the first one, the ship is struck by lightning while crossing the international dateline, causing Cody to have to keep living the same day over again. This “Groundhog Day” phenomenon gives Cody multiple chances to make his move on Bailey at a dance DJ’ed by Zack. In the second bonus episode, Cody arranges to create her town’s Mulch Festival on board to combat Bailey’s homesickness. But Bailey’s boyfriend from back home (Hutch Dano) breeds rivalry and contempt. Pretty much on par with the other episodes on this DVD set.
“Debby on Deck” Featurette –
This runs 6 1/2 minutes and Dylan and Cole interview new cast member, Debby Ryan, on a cruise liner. Ryan talks about the show, her prior credits, her co-stars, her charities, her aspirations, her hobbies, and “keeping it real.” Basically, if you like her you will enjoy this, but nothing too groundbreaking is said.
“Floating Premiere” Featurette –
This runs 7 minutes and it’s a “Disney 365” segment that promotes the show. We see the cast aboard the Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder ship, along with excited children, costumed Disney characters, red carpet interviews, a screening of the first episode, a follow-up Q & A, a performance by Hannah Montana‘s Mitchel Musso, and fun on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. A lot of stuff here, but only the target audience will enjoy this.
The Suite Life on Deck is made with a target audience in mind. Even so, fans of the series will be disappointed by not having the first season in full. So even if we get two other episodes as extras, it’s just a way to pad the release. If you liked the Zack and Cody series, you will no doubt like this series as well. But again, if you are over the age of 14, probably stay far away.
Walt Disney Home Entertainment presents The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!. Created by Danny Kallis and Jim Geoghan. Starring Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song, Debby Ryan, and Phill Lewis. Running time: 135 minutes. Rated: NOT RATED. Released on DVD: August 25, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
