Sunday, September 09, 2007
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2
It wasn't too bad, the show was watchable, but somehow it felt lacking from the original and the though the dancing sequences were fantastic, the music and scenes didn't seem to click with one another and there didn't seem to be that magical flow from one scene to another. The whole script of HSM 2 felt rather forced. I enjoyed the first movie tremendously, what's HSM 2 about? Here's my take:
Even if you have not heard of the High School Musical franchise, it doesn't take much to figure out its target audience for HSM2 with its dreamy teen leads, perky song-and-dance sequences, and crises that resolve themselves in a rousing, hand-clapping finale. Heck, even the catty trouble-makers are inexplicably likeable. School's out and high school musical 2is here to crank up the fun and drama.
Disney Channel's very successful telemovie of last year has since spawned everything from sold-out concert tours in the US to young adult novels and a stage adaptation.
Things start on a high note – school's out and summers in. The bookish, brainy Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) and her basketballer beau Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), plus the rest of their class, head of to temp at the posh Lava Springs country club.
A recipe for disaster when said property happens to be owned by the family of drama club diva Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdher hapless "sidekick" la as a love rival – and her hapless "sidekick" bro Ryan (Lucas Grabeel).
Troy, played with much likeability by a 19 year old Efron (Hairspray), meanwhile, has to decide if he wants a basketball Scholarship enough to alienate his buddies with a new-found training routine.
“I always liked the idea of being in charge of my future, until it started happening”, the floppy-haired, twinkle-eyed hunk moans to his high school sweetheart at one point.
The movie manages to keep the momentum going with thumping, cheery musical numbers – highlights include the show-opener with what time is it, a wholesome echo of Britney spear's Baby One more time video, and Sharpay's ode to materialism, Fabulous throughout Disney's 100-minute fluffy offering.
It doesn't quite outdo its predecessor's novelty and pizzazz, but to its credit, keeps to a winsome combo of karaoke-friendly songs and teen themes about having fun, fitting in, finding love and ultimately, growing up.
Recently the high school franchise has been marred by bad publicity about Vanessa Hudgens nude picture splashed all over the net, Oh no! At first I though that was bound to kill her career, but then Disney came back saying that they'll still support her for HSM 3, then suddenly more pictures are splashed of her in various acts that are not suitable for viewing by Children. Hmm, but she's still a great actress and singer though!
HSM 2 – 3/5 stars.
6:13 AM
