With several hundred screaming and singing pre-teens in the audience during “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” it felt more like a concert than a film screening. But I guess that’s how big Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus has become since popping into living rooms around the world with the TV show “Hannah Montana” in 2006. The Hannah Montana phenomenon is similar to that of “High School Musical,” “Harry Potter” and “Twilight.”

I went into “Hannah Montana: The Movie” with a very open mind. I’d only seen a snippet of the TV show while skipping through channels one night and was intrigued. Although “Hannah Montana: The Movie” feels like a glorified Disney channel made-for-TV movie, it’s actually slightly entertaining. It has its prat falls, silly jokes and huge plot holes, but it’s also critic-proof. If I had been a pre-teen when the television show was released, I probably would’ve been a huge Hannah Montana fan. As corny as it was, I kind of liked the movie.

What “Hannah Montana: The Movie” accomplishes so well is it knows what its audience wants and hands it over. However, the direction from Peter Chelsom is questionable. I know that’s not why Hannah Montana fans are going to see this movie, but had there been another director it could’ve looked more like a film for the big screen rather than a television set.

“Hannah Montana: The Movie” begins with Miley Stewart and her best friend Lilly Truscott (Emily Osment) trying to get into a Hannah Montana concert — showing that she’s trying to keep her identity a secret. After managing to get in by stealing a golf cart, her father Robby Ray Stewart (Billy Ray Cyrus) manages to get her on stage as she sings through the opening credits. Although Miley wants to lead a normal life as a regular high school teenager, she also wants everything else — even getting into a fight with Tyra Banks over a pair of shoes. Her popularity has gotten to her head, especially after pulling a stunt at Lilly’s birthday party. Even a reporter Oswald Granger (Peter Gunn) from a British tabloid is after her, trying to find any juicy gossip about the teen sensation. So Robby Ray thinks it’s time to take a detour away from the limelight and back home to Crowley Corners, Tenn.

Miley’s hometown feels like another world. While throwing a hissy fit about going to her grandma Ruby’s (Margo Martindale) birthday party, she finds herself getting help from Travis Brody (Lucas Till) on a horse back to her grandma’s house. There her old friends and family — some who are the members of the country group Rascal Flatts, apparently — are thrilled at her arrival. Miley, not so much. She becomes friends with Travis and Robby Ray seems to have the hots for Lorelai (Melora Hardin).

Miley learns that a big developer wants to build a mall in Crowley Meadows and in order to stop it the town has to raise half a million dollars. Travis remembers Miley mentioning something about her and Hannah Montana being friends and suggests a concert. Of course this poses a huge problem because only a handful of people know that Miley and Hannah are the same person — how no one else can figure that out is beyond me. (Here’s the huge plot hole: If Miley and Robby Ray are so rich, why don’t they anonymously donate a large sum of money instead of going through the trouble of risking Hannah’s identity? Oh, I know, that would completely defeat the purpose of the movie). Miley’s struggle with her identity shines through during the concert when she tells the large crowd she doesn’t think she wants to be Hannah Montana anymore.

When Hannah Montana sang, I was a little annoyed. As Miley Cyrus’s alter ego she seemed like a spoiled rich girl who wanted to have it all. When Miley Stewart sang, however, it was very pleasant, even if she did act like a typical teenager. It makes me wonder if Miley Cyrus will have an identity crisis — or already does — someday where the two characters will intertwine. But like in the movie, eventually Miley will realize that this other version of herself isn’t exactly what she wants in leading a double life.

“Hannah Montana: The Movie” is quite catchy with the musical numbers and cameo appearances from country singers. You know already if this movie is for you or not. However, if you’ve never seen “Hannah Montana” before and are going with your kids or anyone else, just have an open mind and you might actually enjoy the climb.

Missy Thompson: missy@tooeletranscript.com