High School Musical 3: Senior Year

My only exposure to High School Musical was from a chalet gathering last Christmas where a friend who was a fan brought his DVD and shared with us what's there to like from this highly popular franchise. The DVD has countless of versions released to milk its fan base, that I've really lost count just how many variations (Encore? Extended Dance?) there are out there in the market. Even then I didn't really watch High School Musical 2 completely, only zooming into the catchy song and dance numbers, and as for the first movie, I was only familiar with one or two songs that became like anthems for working together?

Anyway I'm not a fan, and the reason why I would have watched this is because Disney decided it was good enough for the big screen. Either that, or they actually did their sums and realize that the huge fanbase would turn up in droves to support it in the cinemas. And I guess they were right, looking at how it opened at #1 at the US Box Office. Is it any good then? For the uninitiated like me, the story's nothing spectacular, as it deals with growing pains of students and decisions that come with the end of high school, having choices presented on where you would want to go next for further studies. This would naturally mean a split amongst established friends as you'll be geographically separated, and temporarily close a chapter in your life.

Central to the story would be the possible insecurities and impending (long term?) split between lovebirds Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vannessa Hudgens) due to the latter's brainier character being accepted by Stanford. In fact just watching this movie alone, I thought Gabriella was the psychologically tougher of the two, with Troy being your typical indecisive jock who's a bit wishy-washy about his own development path ahead. The other subplot would be the usual resident evil Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) and her antics in wanting the limelight all for herself, this time though with her personal assistant thrown into the mix, and having the audience judge who's the biggest bitch out there.

But of course this is Disney, so don't expect too deep a theme to be dwelled upon. It's still fairly light stuff that is meant for enjoyment by kids, and supposedly with wholesome values thrown in too that would meet parental approval. It's fairy tale stuff that would seem like a cop out with its perfectly ideal ending, though some may find such saccharine positivity a refreshing change for once.

The song and dance numbers are wonderfully choreographed, though one can cringe at some of the lyrics for the slower numbers. A pity of course that we don't get to see the centerpiece of the show within the show, and only bits and pieces of the graduation play that the characters designed as something to commemorate their time at East High by. But of course I suspect that this is probably reserved in advance for the DVD release, where you can sit through the entire thing in one sitting.

Okay, I am 100% completely for the High School Musical franchise! Have you noticed that the majority of people who have something derogatory to say about the series are 15+. Well, duh! You were young once too and no one constantly dissed the Lion King or Cinderella or Rugrats or whatever your "show" was as a naive, innocent kid. Lions don't talk or dance or sing, there are no such things as "fairy god mothers" and talking mice, and babies don't have imaginary worlds where they can talk in front of adults, yet no one hears them. What do you want Disney to do: turn High School Musical into a movie about kids who are sexually active backstage and smoke weed after rehearsals? There's nothing wrong with a nice, innocent, family movie, people! If Disney turned High School Musical into that, you'd be complaining WAY more, trust me! And yes, High School Musical may be like a fantasy high school world that we all WISH could exist, but it's not destroying the kids' brain cells or anything. Once they get to that certain age level, they'll realize that the "perfect, happy, HSM life" was all an illusional element created because it's Disney. So chill.

If you went in with that perspective, you'd see that High School Musical 3 was pretty enjoyable and that HSM actually has underlying themes that good do the kids some good! The songs were actually cool and different and were fun to sing along to. It's also sad watching the Wildcats grow up if you're really a fan---they're hearts can't seem to tear away from East High. Oh, and Zac Efron isn't too hard to look at either! Take your kids and have a NICE, innocent, enjoyable, afternoon at the movies to see this!

Wow, this series has worn out its welcome. The first two installments were modest, harmless TV movies with fast-moving stories and some catchy songs. The third time was not the charm.

I must say, either my tastes have gotten much more discriminating or this cast is getting worse with each picture. I find Ashley Tisdale about as screechy and annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard, and she was worse than ever in HSM3. Ditto Corbin Bleu, so cheerful and peppy that it gets a little sickening. All of the "actors" come off like over-eager stage-children, but those two are probably the worst offenders. None of the case- and I mean none- are believable as real, human high school students.

The thing about the High School Musical franchise is that you either love it or hate it. Ever since the first movie, it has always been like that. I, for one, will now be standing in the middle because I will review this film unbiasedly. I've to say, the movie was fun to watch. It has a very simple storyline, which was made complicated later on in the movie. The characters whom are now in their senior years has to choose where they have to go after they finished high school. This is the story about their hope and fears and choices they have to make. Simple enough...

What amazes me is the dance numbers which had me completely blown away. It was choreographed so sophisticatedly and so beautifully that it will leave the audience enthralled. From a simple waltz during the rooftop scene to a very complicated-sorta-breakdance in the junkyard scene. I give my applause to the choreographers and the dancers. Well done!

The songs, I've to say, are good and most are very catchy and fun to listen to. The lyrics have matured. They are mostly better than the songs from High School Musical and its sequel High School Musical 2. The lead singer of each songs sings the song greatly. My compliment to Efron for his rough and edgy voice and Grabeel for some nice and melodic pitch. Although I'm not quite fond with Hudgen's nasal high-pitch voice.

One thing that I'm not happy with this movie is the fact that most of the musical numbers and songs are performance scene. Whether they're rehearsing the play or the play itself. In a true musical the dancing and singing are the way the characters express their feeling or just a way they talk. It is apart of the story, the dialogue. But in HSM, some of it are performance scene. For example, the prom scene is actually the rehearsal of the actual play. This slightly takes away the musical feel to it.

A bit of a warning though. This movie is made FOR THE FANS ONLY. If you're not a fan, you might want to start with the first HSM and work it up or just stay away from the franchise. Because, if you're not a fan, you might find some of the scenes quite cheesy. From some of the dialogues, to the ending where the camera focuses on the characters' faces before the big red curtain closed, even the last song (entitled "High School Musical") during the graduation is slightly cheesy.

Other than that, I'd say it is a great movie for all ages, especially the young ones. And it is a great family movie if you want some times to relax from the rough actions and romance or even politics of Hollywood.

The songs and the dance moves will keep you glued to the screen.

It's funny to think that this time two years ago, I had no idea what HSM was, but now it's everywhere - it's marketed to death with pretty much every possible item you could want bearing the toothy grins of the cast jumping in the air. Main reason I watched the first and second on the telly over Christmas and Easter respectively? Go and ask my nine soon-to-be ten family friend's daughter, who always asks if I've seen it. Yep, you guessed it, she's a big fan.

So, since the first was such a success thanks to those under 12(who probably in secret, rule the world), Disney milk the cash cow for the last few drops and bring out another one.

Possibly, the only one in the cast that can act with a shred of conviction, given the superficiality of the material is Efron. And no, I don't harbour a fancying towards him, it just seems the other cast members are either too OTT and annoying(Sharpay, Tiara the new London schoolgirl transfer, Jimmy etc) or come across as unconvincingly with their 'cute' personals (Hudgens especially).

And I can't nor do I even imagine I can speak for everyone, but there were too many 'pass me the bucket, I'm going to throw up' romantic moments with Troy and Gabriella that were so saccharine they could cause diabetes(and they get most of the songs). The first one had less of these moments and was better for it(although I'm not claiming any one of these films is very good, as I don't think they are).

The cinematography has such bright, bold colours with the trademark red and white that near the end I was hoping maybe the sunny attitude the clothing has would be turned down a notch. The Barbie pink wardrobe adorned by Sharpay may suit the character, but still looks ridiculous - I hope no ones getting ideas to copy this look in their hoards ....

Now or Never is my fave song (can't get it out of my head, just like how We're All in This Together(which gets a slower arrangement for the colourful graduation in this film) and What Time is It? were my faves of the first and second films respectively. As mentioned before, I'm not keen on the ballads shared by Troy and Gabriella. Another song I liked was the I Want it All and the dream stage scenes with the song, I laughed at the boyband pop-video wannabe that was Boys Are Back. Anytime a song begins to play and the cast start to sing, I can help but laugh unintentionally - it's obviously, all very cheesy.

Overall: It's not everyday you see a group of young kids under seven all dancing around near the big screen itself near the front in the cinema when the film ends or slapping their hands on their thighs in time with the music for one of the last songs, High School Musical. I even saw some jumping around, pretending to do the moves show in some of the musical numbers!

It's squeaky clean and about as deep as a puddle, yet who am I to cast the first stone for something harmless children enjoy, as I had my moments aged 8-10 when I loved something equally as cheesy - Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers anyone? The plot hardly has a chance to get into depth, even if it wanted to though with more than ten songs to squeeze in (and some references to other musicals with the big stage set pieces), so when it does start with the drama it all seems contrived and I wanted a catchy song to bop my head to.

Yes, it's a guilty pleasure of mine, and yes, the opening is cringe-worthy with a close-up of a sweaty Efron in grimace playing basketball as are some other scenes, but in terms of feel good throwaway entertainment it works alright. Don't go in expecting hilarity as it only has a handful of mildly amusing and one laugh-out-loud funny moments with Jimmy near the end(not including my unintentional giggles). Oh and stay behind a few minutes for some few bloopers.

Nothing brilliant and this definitely doesn't top Grease which I think still portrays high school a bit more realistically (and with better songs to me), but I don't strongly dislike this nor would you catch any of the merchandise or even the DVDs in my room, never mind my home. It's a cheesy craze that's having it's time, so let the kids enjoy it for it's inoffensive happy persona. And ... Go wildcats! But please, let it end with the hats being thrown in the air - no more sequels Disney! Aren't the houses of your execs big enough?!