A free-spirited teenage girl named Kelly Collins is happily living her life in New York City. She especially enjoys spending time with her best friend, Amanda.

Kelly also has a sweet relationship with both her mother and father, even though they are divorced. Her mom also has a boyfriend named Joseph. But Kelly calls him sir – likely as a form of respect.

Kelly enjoys making videos. However, her recording accidentally causes problems, such as knocking over the family’s fishbowl. She even makes Joe’s nose bleed, even though she did not mean to.

At some point, Kelly’s mother announces that she and Joe are engaged. They ere also going to move upstate, and Kelly has to come too.

But Kelly does not want to move. She is happy with her life in New York City.

Yet she has no choice. She even ends up enrolling at a military school that Joe runs. It is called George Washington Military Academy. And it is the only school in that area.

Kelly does meet this girl, Carla, who seems nice. However, Kelly’s free-spirited nature does not fit the military environment.

Her life becomes heavily structured and instilled with lots of discipline. If that’s not tough enough, her class is led by this older student, Captain Jennifer Stone.

Captain Stone is not only tough with everybody, but particularly Kelly. She constantly calls her maggot.

Yet thanks to the help of Carla, Kelly learns how to get around and learn what she needs to. However, she still struggles to fit in, which leaves a poor impression on the other students.

For instance, while in a class, Kelly says that she objects to what is being taught. And her classmates give her dirty looks.

When it’s time for active military exercises, Kelly constantly struggles. She even has to redo them all until she gets them right. That means missing the upcoming school dance if necessary.

Regardless, Kelly repeats what she must, and actually succeeds, even though it starts raining. She thanks the older student captain in charge. Her name is Gloria, and she gives Kelly permission to go to the dance.

However, Kelly falls and unintentionally slides through the doors, covered in mud. If that’s not bad enough, she accidentally soils Captain Stone’s white dress in front of everybody with the mud on her.

Kelly meets with her stepfather, who says that he is disappointed in her performance. Even though he understands that making Captain Stone’s dress dirty was an accident, he suggest that she comes home for a bit.

While there, Kelly tries to hide from her mom what has been happening at the school. Then her mother surprises her with news that she is going to have a half-sibling. Her mom is even already pregnant.

Kelly realizes that her mom needs to know about her struggles at George Washington Military Academy. Yet she decides to focus on helping Joe become a father.

Once back at the school, Kelly lines up with her female classmates as Captain Stone walks parallel to them. Captain Stone does this to maintain and enforce orderly conduct.

However, she notices Kelly’s rainbow blanket. Since students are actually not permitted to bring their own bedding, Captain Stone rips it up. And in front of Kelly, leaving her shocked and heartbroken.

Kelly decides to give Captain Stone revenge. That night, when everyone is asleep, Kelly sneaks out to Captain Stone’s room and paints her hair the same color as the blanket she destroyed.

The next morning, when Captain Stone walks through the room where Kelly is staying, the other girls laugh at her. Captain Stone finds out that her hair has been painted, and she screams.

This leads Kelly to receiving disciplinary action. She goes to a school hearing in the form of a trial. She is found guilty.

For her punishment, her stepfather has her shine shoes and uniforms for the drill team.

At home Kelly’s mother finds out about this. But instead of scolding her, she offers her comfort – especially because Kelly is crying.

Despite dreading the punishment, though, Kelly ends up enjoying the tasks assigned to her. She also learns to reconcile with Captain Stone.

Sometime later, there is a major military academy competition coming up. It is called the regionals.

And to her luck, Kelly’s team makes it. Her dad even reveals to her that he will be working near there that time. So, he promises to watch her.

What will happen next?

Not surprisingly, this movie engaged me a lot – just like other Disney Channel original movies. Growing up in the 2000s, it was nice and nostalgic to see Hillary Duff as a teenager again. She played Kelly.

And although this movie came out in 2002, it was filmed in the summer of 2001. Since Hilary Duff was born September 1987, that made her only 13 at the time this movie was shot. Yet I did think she looked old for her age.

Another famous Disney Channel star in this film was Christy Carlson Romano. She played Captain Jennifer Stone.

For anyone else who grew up in the 2000s, you likely remember watching Kim Possible. Or you at least knew about it. Well, Christy Carlson Romano did the voice of Kim Possible.

Even in Cadet Kelly, I could hear her Kim Possible voice and attitude. And this film came out before that series aired on Disney Channel.

Aside from recognizable actors, this movie’s pacing moved at just the right speed. Sometimes it was quick – but never too fast.

I also admired the character development. Not only was Kelly herself likable, but also her parents, Amanda, and even Carla. Kelly’s relationship with her mom and dad was sweet and beautiful. Both were very enthusiastic and affectionate.

In addition, I admired seeing the characters grow and change. This led to lots of twists and turns.

I will admit, however, that at times, certain scenes lagged. That caused them to become a little boring.

And although I loved how Kelly adapted to military school, I am not surprised to learn that the portrayal of the military academy was highly sugarcoated. That includes the school dance.

In real life, military schools hold special formal balls. And they began with strict military protocols. They never hold casual school dances the way public schools do.

I could go on with how many details were romanticized compared to real military schools. But that’s what AI or Google is for.

On the bright side, I appreciate the idea of a character going to military school without being troubled. That actually adds authenticity.

Despite what is shown in some movies, real military schools won’t usually accept kids or young adults who have behavioral problems. Their admission process is quite different. And their goal is to teach self discipline, leadership, and teamwork.

Overall, I enjoyed Cadet Kelly. It was a good watch that people of all ages can see.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.