'Musical 3' dances out in style
By Bruce R. Miller | Posted: Friday, October 31, 2008
Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) have to decide if their relationship will last beyond graduation in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."
If you've been a fan of the "High School Musical" films, you'll love the third -- and only big-screen -- edition.
It's filled with plenty of dance numbers, a little bit of tension and a whole lot of the innocence that made Walt Disney the first name in family entertainment.
No. 3 -- also called "Senior Year" -- catches up with the gang at the state basketball finals (the Wildcats are going for back-to-back titles). Once that's out of the way (it prompts one number), the kids gear up for prom, graduation and the all-important spring "musicale." An original work (Kelsi is writing it -- pay attention), the musical is designed to let the students comment on their final days. So, it becomes a show-within-a-show-within-a-show.
Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) and Troy (Zac Efron) are likely leads, but there's a twist. She has gotten early admission to Stanford and could miss the big production. Troy, meanwhile, has become a finalist for a spot at Julliard, even though he has already been accepted by the University of Albuqueque. Keep your head in the game? It's hard, particularly when Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) is out to replace Gabriella on stage and in Troy's heart.
Director/choreographer Kenny Ortega takes full advantage of his school settings and his cast's abilities. The dancing is pretty amazing and the songs have the kind of catchiness that almost guarantees record sales.
If Ortega trips anywhere, it's in giving Sharpay an Eve Harrington. The replacement (Jemma McKenzie-Brown) isn't all that interesting and she doesn't have enormous wealth to back her up. Similarly, a kid who calls himself Rocket Man (Matt Prokop) isn't hunky enough to be the next Troy.
The film's worth depends on the audience's investment. If you're a fan, it pays big dividends. If you've never seen the franchise, it's Frankie and Annette circa 2008.
The faithful, though, will love the romantic moves Troy makes and get choked up during the graduation scenes. With "We're All in This Together" playing in the background, it's a four-hanky salute.
Tisdale kicks it up a notch as the "mean" girl; Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman are practically invisible as Chad and Taylor, and Hudgens is better than she was in either of the first two films. Still, "High School Musical 3" belongs to Efron. He's a triple threat who recreates some nifty scenes from more memorable films. Adults may want to pay attention -- there's a little Fred Astaire here, a lot of John Travolta there and a whole bunch of stuff that recalls "Fame," "Footloose" and "Grease."
"HSM3" isn't remarkable, just enjoyable. A lot like graduation, it's filled with relief and regret. Relief that it turned out so well; regret that it's time to bid these kids goodbye.
Rated G, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" is suitable for all audiences.
On a scale of four stars, it gets: 3 stars
It's filled with plenty of dance numbers, a little bit of tension and a whole lot of the innocence that made Walt Disney the first name in family entertainment.
No. 3 -- also called "Senior Year" -- catches up with the gang at the state basketball finals (the Wildcats are going for back-to-back titles). Once that's out of the way (it prompts one number), the kids gear up for prom, graduation and the all-important spring "musicale." An original work (Kelsi is writing it -- pay attention), the musical is designed to let the students comment on their final days. So, it becomes a show-within-a-show-within-a-show.
Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) and Troy (Zac Efron) are likely leads, but there's a twist. She has gotten early admission to Stanford and could miss the big production. Troy, meanwhile, has become a finalist for a spot at Julliard, even though he has already been accepted by the University of Albuqueque. Keep your head in the game? It's hard, particularly when Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) is out to replace Gabriella on stage and in Troy's heart.
Director/choreographer Kenny Ortega takes full advantage of his school settings and his cast's abilities. The dancing is pretty amazing and the songs have the kind of catchiness that almost guarantees record sales.
If Ortega trips anywhere, it's in giving Sharpay an Eve Harrington. The replacement (Jemma McKenzie-Brown) isn't all that interesting and she doesn't have enormous wealth to back her up. Similarly, a kid who calls himself Rocket Man (Matt Prokop) isn't hunky enough to be the next Troy.
The film's worth depends on the audience's investment. If you're a fan, it pays big dividends. If you've never seen the franchise, it's Frankie and Annette circa 2008.
The faithful, though, will love the romantic moves Troy makes and get choked up during the graduation scenes. With "We're All in This Together" playing in the background, it's a four-hanky salute.
Tisdale kicks it up a notch as the "mean" girl; Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman are practically invisible as Chad and Taylor, and Hudgens is better than she was in either of the first two films. Still, "High School Musical 3" belongs to Efron. He's a triple threat who recreates some nifty scenes from more memorable films. Adults may want to pay attention -- there's a little Fred Astaire here, a lot of John Travolta there and a whole bunch of stuff that recalls "Fame," "Footloose" and "Grease."
"HSM3" isn't remarkable, just enjoyable. A lot like graduation, it's filled with relief and regret. Relief that it turned out so well; regret that it's time to bid these kids goodbye.
Rated G, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" is suitable for all audiences.
On a scale of four stars, it gets: 3 stars
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