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Released 22nd October 2008
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In a world, at present, with nothing but global economic doom and tragic tales of youth crime to report, it seems only fitting that Disney waves its magic wand and gives us a fairy-tale world to escape to. Let’s face it: it was only a matter of time before the High School Musical phenomenon took to the big screen and spread its sickly-sweet and wholesome message of hope to the reality-overloaded teens out there. And just what’s wrong with fleeing into the world of film when it’s as charming, fun and innocent as the latest episode is — even if you feel like you’ve been dipped in honey and licked clean by an overly-loving, eager puppy dog…
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The movie version still caters to young teens, mostly girlies that love anything frivolous, sparkling, Barbie-like and pink, although adults can easily switch their brains off and reminisce about times yonder, when the only thing to bother about was whether that boy or girl at school noticed you? All the ‘pantomime’ characters return, a little older, but not necessarily wiser, to see us through the final, tear-jerking term at High School, and to share their concerns and fears for the future. Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) — real-life sweethearts, like two fairy-tale caricatures, sing, twirl and grin their way across the screen, whilst the malicious (but deliciously sassy) and spoilt Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) tries to meddle and break up the true romance, with help from her talented but loyalties-torn ‘evil’ twin, Ryan (Lucas Grabeel). In a wicked way (as a cynical and jaded adult), you kind of hope that Sharpay succeeds and lives up to her adventurous plan, but it is not to be: Like every ‘bad’ Disney character is, she is punished (but not too harshly, though) for her dastardly deed. Naturally, it’s all totally predictable, non-taxing and textbook stuff.
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Even though the clouds are brewing in the sky over East High, and a wind of change is forecast, the perky Wildcats drown their sorrows in the ultimate pick-me-up: a final end-of-school musical that will address their anxieties. Cue big drama, tears, tantrums, revelations, and lots and lots of bursting into song at the slightest teenage emotion. It’s all clichéd and ridiculously overacted but highly entertaining, and youngsters will lap it all up and feast on the hope signals it radiates. Every kind of schoolkid is represented here, which makes it easy to identify with one of them: the prom queen, the jock, the nerd, the girl’s best male (camp) friend etc. Things aren’t all that terrible in the big, bad world, but they could get decidedly worse if your idea of hell is any form of a musical (stage or film), hence, AVOID this film at all costs. Troublingly, there is also something quite ‘wrong’ and simply too easy about criticising such a sugary, wholesome affair, like jabbing pins in a cute, cuddly, defenceless teddy bear. That said it’s a matter of delivering the facts and initial reaction for you to make the decision as to whether to experience a huge dollop of fantasy and childhood virtue.
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You could do worse than to kick back, and enjoy this colourful and energizing Noughties’ homage to Grease as there is definitely a welcome place for such a project in the present climate of gloom — if not to demonstrate that life’s not all full of woe if you have a little song and dance to look forward to!
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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Disney’s High School Musical phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, in which America’s favourite high school students hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (Matt Prokop, Justin Martin and Britain’s own Jemma McKenzie-Brown) joins in the fun as the film’s incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen.
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Film Facts
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Official UK site: http://www.disney.co.uk/hsm3/
UK release date: 22nd October 2008
Director: Kenny Ortega
Writer: Peter Barsocchini
Cast: Zac Efron (’Troy Bolton’), Vanessa Hudgens (’Gabriella Montez’), Ashley Tisdale (’Sharpay Evans’), Lucas Grabeel (’Ryan Evans’), Corbin Bleu (’Chad Danforth’), Monique Coleman (’Taylor McKessie’), Bart Johnson (’Coach Jack Bolton’), Olesya Rulin (’Kelsi Nielsen’), Chris Warren Jr. (’Zeke Baylor’), Ryne Sanborn (’Jason Cross’), Kaycee Stroh (’Martha Cox’), Matt Prokop (’Jimmy ‘The Rocket’ Zara’), Jemma McKenzie-Brown (’Tiara’), Justin Martin (’Donny’), Alyson Reed (’Ms. Darbus’)
UK Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK
Certificate: U (TBC)
Run-time: 151 mins (TBC)
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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TWO CLIPS:
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Premiere Report:
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Ashley Tisdale:
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The High School Musical Phenomenon:
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Learn The Moves HERE:
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Did you know…
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- The idea of HSM started out in producer Bill Borden’s living room: “I wanted to make a musical that I could sit down and watch with my kids. It was that simple”
- Troy Bolton’s character was inspired by the great Pittsburgh Steelers football player Lynn Swan
- Vanessa Hudgens was home schooled, so she never went to a prom or a graduation
- With the track “Can I Have This Dance”, Kenny Ortega and his choreographers introduced a new genre of dance to the Wildcat seniors - ballroom
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