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NOTE: This is the same review as done on the
previous
"High School Musical 2: Extended Edition"
DVD. Some notes on the extras and picture/sound quality have been added.
Let me just say that I'm not a kid. I'm not a tween, nor am I in high
school. I'm a grown up daddy of a 4th grader, and "High School Musical 2" is
something that has been seen in my house a lot.
“High School Musical 2: Extended Edition” is now on DVD and Blu-ray.
Those loveable, almost wholesome teens in "HSM" have danced and sung their
way into our household. For a television movie, "High School Musical" (2006)
really surprised me in the quality of acting, songs and Kenny Ortega's
direction. The original movie was thoroughly enjoyable. The innocent puppy
love romance of Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriela (Vanessa Hudgens) brought back
memories of my own puppy crushes in high school, and the songs were well
written and performed. "HSM" was one of those rare moments where the
elements came together.
My daughter really enjoyed the 2007 sequel, "High School Musical 2." Did she
like it as much as the first? Maybe not as much, but she does sing along to
the songs and has the soundtrack in her iPod. Did I, Mr. Grownup, like "HSM
2?" Does it matter? Kids with Zac Efron posters and Gabriela dolls aren't
going to care what a dad says, that's for sure. I'm a DVD reviewer, so it's
my sworn duty to uphold the right to praise and nit pick, no matter if it's
a kid's movie or serious adult bore fest.
I liked "HSM 2." Did I like it as much as the first movie? Nope. I'm not
sure what didn't click with me on this sequel. Sharpay (Tisdale) is just as
scheming as she was in "HSM." The songs are very good, though not quite as
catchy as those in "HSM." Efron & Hudgens are enjoyable, if not in a super
sweet way, as the lovey couple. The story is simple and straight forward.
Nothing offensive there. Everyone from the director to the actors seems like
they're having a great time. I'm just having a hard time pinpointing what
didn't click with me on the sequel. I'm not sure if it's the fact that the
kids are growing up and taking on responsibility, or perhaps I'm missing the
boat. Was it the warm cinematography (and I know the film takes place on
summer break)? Was it the simple boy loses girl story? I'm reading too much
into this movie. I'm a grown-up, therefore, I'm not supposed to understand
and just go along for the ride.
The songs in part 2 are catchy and are better than a lot of pop songs on the
radio these days. The extra song number, "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a," is a lot
of fun, though the sequence in the movie is similar to "You Are The Music In
Me" sung by Sharpay. "All For One" is one of those Disney-esque staples that
will be played for years at Disney theme parks.
The "kids" of East High are some of the most wholesome kids you'll meet this
side of "The Mickey Mouse Club." I say that with a smile. If Annette
Funicello was the kid icon of the 1950s, then Troy and Gabriella (Efron and
Hudgens) are the kid icons of the early 21st Century. Okay, and so is
"Hannah Montana." The kids of East High aren't as sugary as the kids from
"Up With People." But they are enjoyable as a whole. Every actor has put
their heart and soul into their roles, so this film doesn't feel like
they're going through the motions. The chemistry between Efron and Hudgens
is genuine (they're dating in real life). I like that all of the characters,
so far, haven't gone off the deep end like Sandy in "Grease." One minute
they're innocent, the next, they're trashy. Let's hope that this fantasy of
the kids being innocent remains.
My high school was nothing like East High. We didn't rush into the quad area
of the school and sing. If the jocks joined the music and drama "geeks" in
song & dance, then that would be the end of it. There would be no singing
and dancing over the virtues of "I Don't Dance." To paraphrase Vince Vaughn
in "Dodgeball," things have changed since I was in high school. "HSM 2" is a
fantasy, whichever way you look at it. This is an idealized world that
waters down peer pressure and wraps up growing pains in a nice little
package. To me, there's nothing wrong with that.
This latest incarnation of the "HSM2" DVD is essentially
the same as the last release, but the bonus disc does
offer some music videos and a sneak peek at "HSM 3:
Senior Year." There is no improvement in picture and
sound quality which is good but not spectacular. The
sound mix on the DVD is flat without much power to it.
I'm sure kids won't mind.
The "HSM" franchise has exploded for Disney, and the
sequel certainly adds more fuel to this rocket ship. By
watching Disney Channel or visiting the theme parks,
you'd think that audiences couldn't get enough of "HSM."
Everywhere I look, I see some kind of reference to this
franchise. There are dolls in the stores, and kids hum
the tunes from the movies. If you watch Disney Channel,
you're hammered with commercials about a reality series
based "HSM," as well as commercials for video games
based on the movies. Disney and company have hit
something and hit it big. I wonder how long this ride
will last for all involved. Disney Channel has been on a
roll that began with "Lizzie Maguire" (2001), "Phil of
the Future" (2004), and "Hannah Montana" (2006). How do
you top the success of "High School Musical" parts 1 &
2? There is a theatrical sequel on the way. Will
audiences still want more by then? Probably they will.
Bill Kallay
Special thanks to Click Communications
Photos: © BVHE. All rights reserved.
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