BenNike <3

High School Musical 2 - Last aired in Malaysia on 9 - 9 - 07 (Jessica Tee's Birthday if I'm correct)



Movie Review.

When I first reviewed the original Disney movie High School Musical, I had no idea what I was getting into. Before I watched it, I believed (rather naively I might add) that this was going to be just another TV movie created for kids, some musical entertainment that wouldn’t hold my interest.

Boy, was I wrong. The first film was intelligent and fast-paced, with bright young actors and gorgeous actresses who brought out the best in the music and dance numbers. Repeated viewings didn’t lessen how much I enjoyed the film, and since my sister has watched it at least 30 times since its premiere, I’ve had plenty of time to absorb the overall message of the film and understand its lasting impact.

Of course, along the way, it became a cultural powerhouse that has affected people of all ages. (oo, I love this sentence , gotten it from some forum) Students everywhere are putting on their own versions of the film in school productions, and the concept of “musical theater” is now more popular than it has been.

I realized that High School Musical was a Disney juggernaut (DOTA !) comparable in some ways to the success with adolescent and teenagers like us. Anything somehow related to the movie (posters, lunchboxes, backpacks, pajamas, T-shirts, toys, etc.) was selling out fast while the young stars made the rounds on talk shows and other appearances.

With my skepticism thrown to the wind, this time I was enthusiastically on board for the exciting ride as I watched the movie. I can happily announce that director Kenny Ortega and his singing and dancing minions deliver a slamdunk sequel that in some ways is even better than the original.

In an obviously more lavish (and thus expensive) production, all the stops are pulled out as the East High kids prepare for summer vacation. The old stomping grounds at their Albequerque high school (the film was actually shot in Utah, gotten that information from Wiki) are revisited during the opening number “What Time Is It?” We briefly see Troy (Efron) and Gabriela’s (Vanessa Hudgens) tormentor Mrs. Darbus (Alyson Reed) from the first film, but she is merely part of a fast-paced exposition that sets the East Siders free for what should be a carefree summer. The kids go through the now familiar hallways, cafeteria, and eventually finish on a high note on the outside campus with the school building in the background.

From there onwards, we can understand the theme which is "school is out for summer, let the party begin !"

Unfortunately, reality move about its way into the story. Troy and his teammates play basketball with his father (Bart Johnson), who happens to also be the team’s coach. Dad/coach establishes the idea that summer is also a good time to make some money to either buy a car, get things they want to buy, or perhaps save for college. This is the crucial point in their action, for Troy’s concern about the cost of college leads him and his friends to take jobs at local resort (Sharpay's Holiday Residents) Without their knowledge, this has all been set-up by the snobbish Sharpay (played with a touch of evil by Ashley Tisdale) in order for her to get closer, much closer, to Troy, thus trying to initiate a relationship with him.

As the old gang descends on a New Mexico country club, we discover that Sharpay’s parents own the place, and she has not learned her lesson from the first movie and still foolishly has her eyes focused on Troy Bolton. Troy has wisely found a way for all his buds from East High, along with his favorite gal Gabriela, to get hired with him, making an unfavourable event (I don't know if this word suits properly) for Sharpay.

There are solid dance numbers performed throughout, with some of the additional stars from the first film getting a little more to say, do, and sing this time around. The best one is “I Don’t Dance” set on a baseball field under a crystal clear blue desert sky. Here, Chad (Corbin Bleu) and Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) face-off in a battle of wits and physical skill. The plot was nicely done whereby they manage to slip Ryan into the “in” crowd he never thought he could ever join.

Sharpay somehow manages to suck Troy into singing with her in the talent competition, based on the notion that it will help him land a college scholarship (and she mistakenly believes this will gain Troy’s affection). This temporarily alienates his friends and his lady love. He earnestly proves his worth here, singing stronger and better than in the original and showcasing the maturity that will inevitably make him a really big star.

As in the first film, major conflicts seem to be quickly resolved at the and. I won’t ruin the ending for those who have not seen the film, but let it suffice to say that the overriding theme of the first movie (we’re all in this together) resonates in this sequel, and by the time we see everyone singing and dancing in the finale, we can rest assured that all will be well with the East Side gang until the next sequel.

Credit must be given to all involved in this production, especially director Ortega. Obviously Disney gave him the time, money, and talent to mount such a superior production.

As references to all the princess movies are obvious here, with Sharpay standing in her tower staring down at Gabriella and Troy, her dashing Prince Charming to be sure. No matter how much Sharpay stares into the mirror, Gabriela will still end up being the fairest of them all and manage to capture her Prince in the process.

Thus, I tip my cap to all involved in making this wonderful film. It actually does more than entertain; it motivates kids (maybe their parents) to get u to dance and sing. Besides the aerobic benefits from all this, it’s just good, sweet fun and, in an ever more troubling world, we can all use that. The end.

Please note my mistake. Criticism are welcomed here.

-BeN