Amanda Benson is one of the key members of the Swindle Six and a close peer of Griffin Bing. She is an expert rock climber with a natural talent for agility and athleticism. Her skills make her an essential part of the team, helping Griffin and his friends pull off their daring heist. In the Swindle movie adaptation, Amanda undergoes a significant transformation, portrayed as a cheerleader with hidden abilities.
This article dives into Amanda Benson’s background, personality, abilities, and portrayal in the Swindle movie.
Biography of Amanda Benson
Amanda Benson comes from a family of rock climbers, and she has inherited their talent for scaling heights with ease. Unlike some of her peers, Amanda is generally well-mannered and respectful to others. However, she has an ongoing rivalry with Darren Vader, a notorious troublemaker who enjoys antagonizing her and the rest of the Swindle Six.
Amanda’s skills prove to be crucial when the team plans to steal back the valuable baseball card from Paul Swindell. Her agility and climbing ability allow her to infiltrate Swindell’s store undetected, making her one of the most vital members of the group.
Personality Traits of Amanda Benson
Amanda is known for being polite, disciplined, and respectful to most of her friends. However, she does not tolerate those who enjoy bullying or antagonizing others, such as Darren Vader.
Despite her athleticism and confidence, Amanda is deeply concerned about how others perceive her. In the film adaptation, this insecurity leads her to reinvent herself in high school, transforming from a “geeky” girl into a popular cheerleader. This aspect of her personality makes her a more complex character, as she struggles to balance her true self with the image she projects to others.
Amanda Benson’s Impressive Abilities
Amanda’s most notable ability is her exceptional climbing skill, a talent she has developed since childhood. Her agility and athleticism allow her to move swiftly and efficiently, making her an asset to Griffin Bing’s team.
Key Skills and Abilities:
- Expert Rock Climber: Amanda’s years of climbing experience make her an expert in scaling walls and navigating challenging terrains.
- Agility and Reflexes: She is quick on her feet, able to react swiftly to obstacles or threats.
- Gymnastics and Balance: Her natural balance and body control help her execute difficult maneuvers.
- Problem-Solving Under Pressure: During critical moments, Amanda stays calm and thinks fast, which is crucial for the team’s success.
Portrayal in the Swindle Movie
Amanda Benson undergoes a significant transformation in the Swindle film adaptation. While she remains an athletic and agile character, her backstory and personality are altered.
Biography in the Film
In the movie, Amanda is renamed Amanda Joanne Benson. She is portrayed as the second prettiest girl in school—an unofficial title that Griffin Bing helped her achieve through one of his schemes. However, Amanda has a hidden past: she was once a nerdy girl known as “Mandy the Mutant” due to her awkward personality and appearance.
To escape this reputation, she reinvented herself in high school, becoming a cheerleader and changing her personality to fit in. She is highly protective of this secret, refusing to let anyone know about her past. However, when Ben Dupree and Griffin Bing approach her with a plan to recover the stolen baseball card, Amanda initially refuses to help. She only agrees when Ben offers her $25,000 as a reward.
During the heist, Amanda’s climbing and athletic abilities play a crucial role in the plan’s success. Despite her initial reluctance, she proves to be a valuable member of the team.
Appearance in the Movie
Amanda’s appearance changes significantly from her younger years to her high school persona. Initially, she wore glasses, braces, and pigtails, which contributed to her geeky reputation. However, after her transformation, she adopts a more polished and popular cheerleader look.
Personality in the Film
Amanda’s character in the movie is more focused on popularity and fitting in. However, she retains her cleverness and athleticism. She is somewhat vain but also kind-hearted and willing to help when it truly matters.
She is also a fan of Newcastle United, showing a personal interest in sports outside of cheerleading.
Abilities in the Movie
While Amanda is primarily a climber in the book, her athleticism is reinterpreted in the film as cheerleading skills. However, she still demonstrates:
- Exceptional Agility: She effortlessly performs backflips and acrobatic stunts.
- Fast Thinking: Amanda is quick to react in dangerous situations.
- Stealth and Precision: She successfully disables an alarm system with only a second to spare.
Amanda Benson’s Role in the Heist
Amanda plays a critical role in the team’s mission to retrieve the stolen baseball card. Her expertise in climbing and agility allows her to infiltrate Swindell’s store through the roof, disable the alarm, and assist the team in retrieving the card.
Notable Moments in the Heist:
- Reluctant Agreement: Initially hesitant, Amanda agrees to join the mission in exchange for payment.
- The Rooftop Entry: Darren Vader helps Amanda reach the roof, where she must use her gymnastics skills to avoid falling.
- Disabling the Alarm: Amanda carefully navigates the alarm system and deactivates it with just one second left.
- The Hidden Secret: Later, Amanda’s past as “Mandy the Mutant” is revealed, making her character arc more compelling.
Conclusion
Amanda Benson is a unique and skilled character in Swindle, playing an essential role in Griffin Bing’s daring heist. While her portrayal differs between the book and the film, her athleticism, intelligence, and determination remain key aspects of her character. Whether as a rock climber or a cheerleader, Amanda’s abilities make her one of the most valuable members of the Swindle Six.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who plays Amanda Benson in the Swindle movie?
Amanda Benson is portrayed by Ariana Grande in the Nickelodeon movie Swindle.
2. How is Amanda Benson different in the book and the movie?
In the book, Amanda is an expert rock climber, while in the movie, she is portrayed as a skilled cheerleader.
3. Why did Amanda Benson change her personality in the movie?
Amanda was once a geeky girl called “Mandy the Mutant” and changed her appearance and behavior to fit in during high school.
4. What role does Amanda play in the heist?
Amanda infiltrates Swindell’s store through the roof and disables the alarm, allowing the team to search for the stolen baseball card.
5. What are Amanda Benson’s key abilities?
Amanda is highly athletic, with expertise in climbing, gymnastics, agility, and problem-solving under pressure.
