Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Zac Efron | ... | Troy Bolton | |
Vanessa Hudgens | ... | Gabriella Montez (as Vanessa Anne Hudgens) | |
Ashley Tisdale | ... | Sharpay Evans | |
Lucas Grabeel | ... | Ryan Evans | |
Corbin Bleu | ... | Chad Danforth | |
Monique Coleman | ... | Taylor McKessie | |
Bart Johnson | ... | Coach Jack Bolton | |
Alyson Reed | ... | Ms. Darbus | |
Chris Warren | ... | Zeke Baylor (as Chris Warren Jr.) | |
Olesya Rulin | ... | Kelsi Nielsen | |
Ryne Sanborn | ... | Jason Cross | |
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Socorro Herrera | ... | Mrs. Montez |
Joey Miyashima | ... | Principal Matsui | |
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Dutch Whitlock | ... | Skater Dude #1 |
Ryan Templeman | ... | Skater Dude #2 |
Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez are two totally different teenagers who meet at a party while singing karaoke on New Year's Eve. The next week, Troy returns to East High, his high school in New Mexico, to find that Gabriella is a new student there. They quickly become close friends and accidentally audition for the school musical. They both get callbacks, infuriating drama queen Sharpay Evans and her sidekick brother Ryan. Then Chad, Troy's best friend and basketball teammate, and Taylor, Gabriella's new friend on the decathlon team, must make Gabriella hate Troy. Written by ShannonO'Reilly
10 years ago this first High School Musical film launched with very little fanfare, and no real big names in it. Little did Disney know that it would capture the imagination and hearts of so many young people, spawn two (at present) sequels and become a lasting phenomenon.
Is it surprising when you watch the actual film? No, not really. It's an hour and a bit of fun, the young cast (and they do look young) all give good performances, and it's enjoyable for all ages.
The make it or break it quality with any musical are the songs, and of the three 'High School' films this is the one with the most iconic songs.
No, it's not Shakespeare. But it is an almost modern version of Grease. I'm not a huge musicals fan, but I enjoyed it.