AMB Reviews

High School Musical 3: 6.5/10 Stars

Release Date: October 24, 2008

Content Advisory: Rated G. There is one passionate kiss and some of the cast wears cleavage-revealing or swimsuit type outfits in several dance scenes.

Review:

"High School Musical 3" was one of those movies that I just didn't really care about. Sure, I'd go if ever given the oppurtunity came for me to see it in theaters, but it wouldn't kill me to wait until the video release. Well, that oppurtunity to see it in theaters came to me, due to my sister's obsession with the series, and her need to see it on opening day.

In Short:

"High School Musical 3" is in no ways great. Although it probably is the most enjoyable of the 3 sequels, it's nothing to go crazy over. It's made solely for the purpose of having fun. Nothing else. They try to incorporate some corny "Disney morals" into the series, by the movie's end credits, you really only remember the fun time you had watching the main characters get up and sing and dance, rather than think about "following your dreams." So, in no ways is this film either thought-provoking or one to applaud with praise. Rather, it's just a silly escape to a nonsensical world where singing and dancing can solve all of your problems, and where it is completely okay to randomly burst out into song in the middle of your lunch room cafeteria.

In Full:

Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and the remaining Disney Channel stars cast is back in what is probably the best "High School Musical" yet. Now, it's still nothing to over excite yourself about, but it does have its shining moments. The plot this time, is one that we've heard oh-so too many times. This time, however, everyone is a senior and planning what they are going to do with their life after graduation. Gabriella and Troy are still two lovebirds, and Sharpay is still as nasty as ever, along with her clueless brother, Ryan. Of course, it wouldn't be "High School Musical" without a show. And so, the lovely class of seniors decide to put on a musical... their last one at East High. Along the way, Gabriella and Troy experience relationship problems, Sharpay (as always) is trying toget Gabriella out of the picture, and of course... there's a whole lot of singing and dancing.

Wait... doesn't that sound familiar? Yes, in fact, it does. The plot itself is completely cliche, and uses many of the same old techniques that the first one did. One big musical. The bad girl trying to win over the popular guy. The popular guy and his good girl girlfriend breaking up and, of course... reuniting. However unoriginal as the plot may be, you can't help but have a good time as Troy suddenly bursts into song about his love for Gabriella, or when Ryan and Sharpay sing a catchy duet about wanting all of the fame, fortune, and glitz of Hollywood.

The acting, itself, is still balancing on the edge between corny and mature, and although it's clear that the actors have matured in their own, personal ways, they just don't seem that much different then what they were like in the first "High School Musical." Ashley Tisdale is entertaining to watch as the mean girl, Sharpay, and Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron, although not the most gifted actor and actress, still are able to hold our attention throughout the film, despite several lines that made me want to laugh out loud (not due to humor, but due to the sheer cheesiness of the lines).

The choreography, however, is definetely one to comment upon. As I sat through the film, watching the cast dance and perform a variety of gymnastics moves, I only wondered how much time it took for them to get down the choreography. My prediction: A long time. The dancing outshines the choreography in both the first and second films. It's original, perky, and fun to watch. I also found the visuals in this film better than its predecessors. Each musical scene, usually included some flashy piece of stage decoration, which I found especially entertaining to watch.

In conclusion, "High School Musical" is fun, if nothing else. Anyone a fan of the previous two, is guaranteed to like this one as well. Everything a High School Musical fan is looking for is bundled up neatly in this package... the dancing, the singing, and all of the stars from Disney Channel. However, if one is looking for anything thought-provoking or stirring, you aren't going to find it here. This movie is made purely for fun. It's a nice escape to a silly world, but nothing else.