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Is “He’s All That” All That

On Friday, Aug. 27, Netflix released its much-anticipated movie, “He’s All That,” a reboot to the 1999 film “She’s All That.”

This reboot stars Tik Tok sensation Addison Rae and actor Tanner Buchanan, while also guest starring Rachael Leigh Cook and Fullerton College Alumni Matthew Lillard, who were in the original film.

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Addison Rae plays Padgett Sawyer shown live-streaming outside of her boyfriends trailer.
Cr. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX © 2021

The film takes place in Los Angeles, where Rae’s character, Padgett Sawyer, is an internet influencer despite secretly living a life far from luxury with her mom.

Cook was the main protagonist in the film “She’s all that,” and while she does not reprise her role, her appearance makes for a great cameo.

The story kicks off when Padgett catches her boyfriend Jordan cheating on her and goes viral for her meltdown.

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Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan) and Padgett Sawyer (Addison Rae) during the makeover scene.
Cr. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX © 2021

To make up for her embarrassment, Padgett bets her snotty friend Alden that she can makeover any guy at the school and turn him into the next prom king. Alden picks the school pretentious, alternative, photographer Cameron Kweller.

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Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan) and Padgett Sawyer (Addison Rae) taking a selfie while riding horses.
Cr. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX © 2021

Rae’s character finds ways to meld herself into Cameron’s world, like asking for horse riding lessons and asking him to take pictures for the school’s car wash. While some of these plans work and some fail nevertheless, they end up spending more time together and start to build some chemistry.

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Jordan Van Draanen (Peyton Meyer) and Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan) before their viral fight.
Cr. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX © 2021

Cameron even starts to build traction from people around school as he is seen with Padgett and even has a viral fight against her ex-boyfriend Jordan. This leads Cameron to be nominated for prom king, just like Padgett wanted.

While it appears as though things are going well for Padgett and Cameron, the antagonist Alden starts throwing curveballs such as running against Padgett for prom queen and even forcing her to tell Cameron about the bet the two girls had made. Cameron is severely hurt and flees the scene.

During the falling action of this movie, Padgett is getting ready for prom while also devising a plan to win back Cameron.

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Padgett Sawyer (Addison Rae) and Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan) in the darkroom.
Cr. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX © 2021

The prom scene is where this movie has the most nods to the original “She’s All That.”

The prom has a choreographed dance scene with all of the students, just like the original film. The scene includes the principal, played by Lillard, performing a much-approved dance by the students, paying homage to his iconic dance solo in the original film.

Padgett wins prom queen and, in hopes of winning back Cameron, decides to show everyone at the high school who she truly is. So she gives up her crown and leaves the prom.

Before the scene cuts to Padgett leaving, Cook’s character is seen dancing to the song “Kiss Me” by Cyn, a song originally by Sixpence None The Richer.

Cameron then rides into the scene on a horse and forgives Padgett for the bet.

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Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan) and Padgett Sawyer (Addison Rae) having coffee.
Cr. KEVIN ESTRADA/NETFLIX © 2021

The film ends with watching the happy couple travel through Europe and Padgett now showing her internet followers that you don’t need to hide your true self.

While following a romantic teen film troupe, this film is not all that predictable. Rae does a good job with the role she takes on since she started as an internet influencer.

While this movie is not as classic as the original, it stands very well next to its predecessor. This is a film worth watching if viewers seek a fun escape from reality and are willing to open their minds to see what the movie is really about.

Is it all that?

It’s safe to say it definitely is.

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