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The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Sweet Suite Victory (August 4/06)

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody is an expectedly broad, thoroughly juvenile series designed to appeal solely to younger viewers; while several of the actors do possess some charisma (particularly Kim Rhodes and Ashley Tisdale), they're consistently placed into egregiously silly situations and forced to spout painfully lame bits of dialogue. Still, there is a certain charm to the show that's sure to hold the interest of tweens.

The series stars Cole and Dylan Sprouse as Cody and Zack Martin, a pair of identical twins who live in the fancy Tipton Hotel with their single mother (played by Rhodes). They're surrounded by quirky characters, including the stuffy hotel manager (Phill Lewis), a scrappy gift shop clerk named Maddie (Tisdale), and the hotel owner's spoiled daughter (Brenda Song's London).

The DVD's first episode, "Band in Boston," revolves around the turmoil that ensues after a Battle of the Bands competition hits the Tipton. Cody and Zack find themselves disagreeing over the best way to perform Cody's song, with Zack seemingly more interested in his look than in attending band practice. Meanwhile, Maddie's decision to accept money from London proves to be disastrous - as London quickly reveals that she wants to join Maddie's band (it becomes clear immediately that London doesn't possess a lick of talent).

In the disc's second episode, "Election," Cody decides to run for student council president and soon finds himself running opposite his own brother (though it becomes clear immediately that Zack's motives are decidedly less pure than Cody's). Zack enlists the help of London for his campaign, while Cody works with Maddie - with both candidates eventually forced to resort to mud-slinging.

The third and final episode, "Not So Suite 16," concerns Maddie's efforts to throw an extravagant 16th birthday party for herself. Of course, London gets wind of this and chooses the exact same day to hold her party - forcing the various residents of the Tipton to choose between the two events.

 

About the DVD: Buena Vista Home Entertainment offers up crisp full-screen transfers, with bonus features limited to a gag reel and a short trivia game.
© David Nusair