Disney High School Musical: China

Musicals are a relatively new and uncommon thing in Chinese culture and society, even today not nearly necessarily as well-known or popular as in the United States and Europe, and so I think it is at least interesting for a Chinese cast and crew to attempt making one.

Despite its name, the movie is set in a college setting, I think because the producer said in China, it is the college years which are far more carefree and enjoyable than the high school ones (while the reverse can be true in some Western countries).

It is not quite as well-made as the original High School Musical films, and far from perfect indeed, but again, I think it was a fairly good and concerted effort to make a Chinese-style musical film, showing the difficulties and struggles of young people in today's China and their occasional clash with the older generation and their families as they struggle to realize and pursue their own dreams and passions. Suffice it to say, this is about two young people and their shared desire to express themselves through music despite opposition from her parents and authority figures.

The music while a bit showy wasn't at all so bad, especially the song sung in the auditorium at the end of the movie, akin to Breaking Free from the original film. Certainly not the best film and could have been better, but not exactly the worst either in my opinion, give it a try, maybe you'll enjoy it more than you thought.