New Halloween DCOM: Girl vs. Monster

I’m not really thrilled with the title, but this new Halloween DCOM staring Olivia Holt from Kickin’ It looks like a really solid effort to me.

Just have a look at the trailer, and tell me you’re not impressed. I mean, they actually spent money on the effects!

Here’s a copy of Disney’s official press release:

OLIVIA HOLT STARS IN “GIRL VS. MONSTER,” THE DISNEY CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE, PREMIERING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, DURING THE MONSTOBER PROGRAMMING EVENT ON DISNEY CHANNEL

— Songs From the Movie to be Released on Walt Disney Records’ Make Your Mark: Ultimate Playlist, Tuesday, October 9 —

Olivia Holt (of Disney XD’s “Kickin’ It”) stars in a bewitching story for kids and families, “Girl Vs. Monster,” a Disney Channel Original Movie, premiering FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), during the Monstober programming event on Disney Channel. The spook-tacular adventure, with themes of courage, independence and friendship, follows a confident fifteen-year-old singer who on Halloween, discovers that she’s a fifth generation monster hunter.

The adventure begins as Skylar, a fearless teenager with a powerful singing voice, prepares for the ultimate Halloween bash with her best friends, Henry and Sadie. However, the plan for Skylar to sing at the party – with rock band cutie Ryan Dean – is crushed when her parents make her stay home. When she attempts to sneak out of the house, she accidentally unleashes a monster – Deimata – who is determined to change the fate of Skylar and her family forever. As Skylar’s world is turned upside down, she learns that her parents have been keeping a big secret – that she comes from a long line of monster hunters. Now, it’s up to Skylar and her friends to channel their inner strength and conquer more than just this monster.

Rounding out the cast is Kerris Dorsey (“Moneyball”), Brendan Meyer (Disney XD’s “Mr. Young”), Luke Benward (“Minutemen”), Katherine McNamara (“New Year’s Eve”), Adam Chambers (“Good Luck Charlie”), Tracy Dawson (“Call Me Fitz”), Brian Palermo (Disney XD’s “Zeke and Luther”) and Jennifer Aspen (“GCB”).

Olivia Holt performs three of the movie’s pop rock songs, including “Had Me @Hello,” written and produced by Dan Book, Alexei Misoul and Shelly Peiken; “Fearless,” written and produced by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman; and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me” written by Mitch Allan, Kevin Kadish, Sean Douglas and Nikki Leonti. Luke Benward and Katherine McNamara also perform alternate versions of “Had Me @Hello” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me,” respectively. All of the songs will be a part of the Walt Disney Records compilation, Make Your Mark: Ultimate Playlist, available Tuesday, October 9. The single “Had Me @Hello” will planet premiere on Radio Disney on Friday, September 21.

The story of “Girl Vs. Monster” was written by Annie DeYoung (“Princess Protection Program”), and the teleplay was written by DeYoung and Ron McGee (“The Nine Lives of Chloe King”). The movie was directed by DGA-winner and Emmy Award-nominee Stuart Gillard (“Avalon High”) and executive-produced by Sheri Singer (“Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!”), with Tracey Jeffrey (“The Suite Life Movie”) as producer. “Girl Vs. Monster” is a production of Bad Angels Productions, Ltd.

Beginning Friday, September 28, DisneyChannel.com/Monster will launch a new game called “Skylar’s Chilling Challenge” and on Monday, October 1, kids (with a parent’s consent) are invited to upload their photo and turn it into their very own monster using “Monster Maker,” with a chance for it to be featured on-air during the month of October. On Monday, October 15, DisneyXD.com/Monster will launch an exclusive game called “Skylar vs. Deimata.” Player’s game achievements and shout-outs will be shown on-air during the “Girl Vs. Monster” premiere on Disney XD on Saturday, October 20 (11:00 a.m., ET/PT) as part of a special live online game challenge taking place during the movie.

The television premiere schedule is:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Olivia Holt hosts the Friday night programming line-up on Disney Channel and provides viewers with a “first look” at behind-the-scenes footage from “Girl Vs. Monster.” The special footage includes the cast learning choreography and recording songs for the soundtrack, and reveals the process of creating the movie’s special effects.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5
The cast of “Girl Vs. Monster” hosts Disney Channel’s “Monstober Night of Premieres,” featuring frighteningly fun Halloween programming, and a sneak peek of “Girl Vs. Monster.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
Premiere of “Girl Vs. Monster” (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel with simulcasts on WATCH Disney Channel.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16
“Girl Vs. Monster” available on iTunes, Sony Playstation and Microsoft Xbox.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
Disney XD presents an encore of “Girl Vs. Monster,” featuring an Online Live Game Challenge (11:00 a.m., ET/PT).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
Olivia Holt hosts the “Girl Vs. Monster” encore during Disney Channel’s Monstober Movie Marathon. The hosted event will feature Halloween dares with Olivia Holt on the set of several Disney Channel shows.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31
“Girl Vs. Monster” will be available on WATCH Disney Channel as part of a special Halloween movie event.