HSM2: The Review

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Do not believe a word that Entertainment Weekly is spewing about the newest Disney Channel Original Movie. If you liked the first installment of High School Musical, you will absolutely adore the second! And if you hated it? You will still be one of many in the crowds to mock the cheesy dialogue and roll your eyes at the plot, but the musical numbers will, nonetheless, get your foot tapping and lure your inner-child into a full swing. Although the plot is a carbon copy of all-things-teen-romatic-comedy, there were a few changes to make this movie a little more captivating.

The first movie was filmed and based around the social hierarchy within a typical high school, East High, but this time around, the surroundings are at Sharpay's summer country-club, and the Wildcats are no longer searching for popularity... this time, their jobs, and ultimately, their futures, are at stake. And instead of competing for the starring roles in their high school's winter musical, the Wildcats are now going at it to win the Star Dazzle award for the country club's annual talent show.

So basically, the second movie is the original with a few tweeks. This then makes you wonder...what did director, Kenny Ortega do differently to make High School Musical 2 a winning formula?


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The secret ingredient: Sharpay, Sharpay... SHARPAY!!


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In the first installment of High School Musical, Sharpay Evans, and her brother, Ryan, (portrayed by Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel), were used soley for the purpose of comic relief. Their characters were also needed to create the plot by causing conflict between the stars of the movie, Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens). This time around, it seems as if all of the roles changed. Gabriella and Troy are the ones that are needed for the sole purpose of plot, while Ryan is still used for comic relief.

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However, in HSM2, Sharpay steals the entire show and is not only the star of the movie, but also IS the movie. Her flamboyant actions, her shrill giggles, and her wittily, cheap remarks are what drive the audience into a fit of captivated amusement and laughter. Some might say that Tisdale's acting is a little too over-the-top, but it sure beats Hudgens's bland, dry, and pathetic character, or shall we say, CAMEOS. Her only believable scene in the movie is when she manages to pinch out one, lonely tear, while singing her ever-so-cliche lonely-girl-song, which I admit, was beautifully touching! However, her song pales in comparisson to Sharpay's first solo musical number, FABULOUS:


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Also, for all you CORBIN BLEU fans, it is sad to say that his character, Chad, did not make the final cut into the movie. Oh, wait... he did? That's right! He shared a duet with Ryan in the "Get'cha Head In The Game"-like musical number, "I Don't Dance," which was only bearable because of Ryan's contagious, and humorous, character. Other than that piece, most scenes containing Chad remains entirely forgetable and unamusing. The same goes for Monique Coleman's character, and the pop-and-lock-girl/Mr. Creme-Brulee!


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Although the cast of HSM2 tries to close the movie with another uplifting "Breaking Free" moment, followed by a positively inspiring unification song like the previous, "We're All In This Together," because Ortega tried to highlight more characters in this movie, the respective numbers, "Everyday" and "All For One" were a little too hectic and disorderly to fully enjoy, aesthetically speaking. However, the numbers were extremely catchy and left you singing while the credits rolled. However, unlike the previous movie, the highlight of High School Musical 2 came with Sharpay's rendition of Troy and Gabriella'a melodically beautiful duet, "You Are The Music In Me."


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Overall, if you're looking for an amusing, comical, feel-good movie, (and if you don't mind a few cheesy moments and horrible dialogue), High School Musical 2 is the flick just for you!


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