Walking into the theater with my excited niece in tow, I was amazed at what I was perceiving to be the demographic for High School Musical 3. Children, ages six through twelve, were all eagerly awaiting the new arrival from the HSM franchise with baited breath. Baited, no doubt, with the promise of endless requests to their parents for the avalanche of HSM3 merchandise sure to come this holiday season. It made me wonder – are children REALLY this eager to be in High School? This eager to be a few short years free from the tyranny of their parents? This eager to start paying bills?
Keeping in tune with the HSM series, the songs were catchy and entertaining, and the choreography was in line with any professional stage musical. This, no doubt, is to distract viewers from the story, which took a side seat to the agonizingly plentiful musical numbers. In a nutshell, we find our lead, Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), undecided as to what college he’d like to attend next year, not eager to go to his father’s alma mater which he thinks is expected of him. Cue music.
Ashley Tisdale, who plays Sharpay Evans, is presumably the driven antagonist who will stop at nothing to crush the rest under her heel in her climb to stardom. Yet, her one and only dastardly plan is thwarted so easily that it’s almost unnecessary to even have it in the movie altogether. Cue music.
The acting was sub par. It was professional enough, but only for stage acting at a college, or semi-professional level, where the dialogue is not entirely natural enough to translate on film. Instead of having conversation, the actors were just waiting their turn to say their lines. The lack of drama and story really killed it for me, not that I’m a High School Musical fan. Still, it was entertaining enough when you shut off your mind and let the movie numb your senses. Cue music.
After watching the film, I can see why kids enjoy it. It paints a lovely picture of highschool. One that’s free from bullies, from angst, from the growing pains of adolescence. Coupled with the “even losers are winners” attitude prevalent today, I’m a little leery that Disney’s not enabling the growing lack of accountability and responsibility in our youth, even if the movie contains a good message about making your own decisions in life. I miss the days when they weren’t afraid to shoot Bambi’s mother. Cue music.
Cue music.
