High School Musical - Trailer - Click here for funny video clips
Soarin’ ... Flying... If you have managed to avoid these lyrics then you have evaded the Disney invasion that is High School Musical (HSM), congratulations I tried and found myself unable to resist. Since the first in the extremely successful franchise was released as a film for T.V. on the Disney channel it has been hard to ignore. With not only the films, but the merchandise, stage shows and even the fact that songs from the soundtrack(s) often feature on nights out. (It even has its own Singstars!)
Not only has it catapulted Disney into everyone’s conscious (not that it ever really left) it has created superstars and teen idols out of its cast. Zac Efron anyone? The third (and unfortunately not final, HSM 4 is scheduled for release in 2009 ) was the first to be on general release in cinema’s at the first week on both the USA and UK box office is took top spot.
Having been compared and subsequently criticised for being too similar to 1978’s classic, Grease, yes there are obvious comparisons and Grease was and still is amazing and actually groundbreaking. However all HSM has done is bring this to a younger generation. Disney being the clever people that they are have captured demographics, (Ahem! Sorry I mean audiences) across the spectrum and the world. Parents embrace HSM willingly; the story line is not over sexed or full of foul mouthed language like so many you see in cinemas these days, yes it involves a love story but they don’t even kiss till the end of the second film!
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashely Tisdale, Corbin Bleu
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
Released: 16/02/2009
The third films itself follows the loveable characters through their final year (did the title give that away) and sees them creating a musical about their time at East High. Expect the usual singing, dancing and general cringeworthyness but this time its better (yes it is possible). Taking into account the fact that 11 songs from the soundtrack were considered for the Oscar shortlist, they must be doing something right. The dance routines are amazing and the extra features on the DVD attempt to teach you them, all I’ll say is, good luck, they are difficult.
Our sweethearts, Troy and Gabriella or struggling with facing the fact that their prospective colleges are miles away from one another, Sharpay is still trying to outdo the world, well East High but faces some opposition actually worthy of her and her schemes. Everyone else is just figuring out who they are and where their lives are going and what direction they should take, so nothing revolutionary in the plot then. At the end of the day it has never claimed to be ground breaking cinematic folly and it will never win awards other than the Teen choice kind but it is fun, frothy and frivolous.
A harmless 1hour 50mins for anyone to enjoy/endure.
Amy V Gathercole
(Self confessed HSM fan)
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