"Disney's High School Musical (the movie)"--my thoughts

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:13pm

Before anyone jumps my case, I did a search and only found threads on the sequel and the stage version. I wanted to comment on the first one, so I started a thread.

I have avoided this movie for over a year. As a high school English and drama teacher, I was on the MTI website which had a link to an article about the stage version. Apparently they have licensed 1300 productions of the show since they began offering the rights! I thought that was amazing, so I decided to finally watch the movie.

Of course, based on what I had heard about it, my expectations were very low. I have to say that this movie will become a guilty pleasure! Is it a classic musical? No. But it was a whole lot of fun. The songs weren't Sondheim, but they were pretty damn catchy. I thought the young cast had a great deal of energy and was able to put over the cheesy and simplistic plot.

It was very formulaic, but so were the Mickey and Judy "let's put on a show" musicals. I'm a huge fan of Judy Garland, but "Babes in Arms" and "Babes on Broadway" can't compare to films like "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "Easter Parade." I guess "High School Musical" reminded me of those Mickey and Judy movies--very predictable, with songs that do very little to advance the story, but fun nonetheless.

Slam me if you will, but I thought the movie was fun!

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:22pm

It is indeed mindless fun, but...

See, that's the problem. It's *too* mindless. As you say, its formulaic and predictable, and it doesnt have a score on the par of "Babes in Arms", just a bunch of easily forgettable songs that really dont cut it at all.

But then, arent most pop songs these days?

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:42pm

Sean--

I have to agree with you about the score. As a teacher though, I would hope that this movie/show might introduce young people to musicals and that they might want to experience other (better) musicals because of it.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:45pm

How dare you mention Judy in the same thread as HSM!
(I won't even spell it out)

[misschung]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 7:46pm

I think that's a great attitude, and I felt exactly the same way. My best friend's housemate in college absolutely loved it, but when we watched it we didnt like it at all. The thing is, we were saying the entire time that we could totally understand why younger kids would love the movie. And I mean, it was cute. After hours of babysitting and being forced to watch Hannah Montana, That's So Raven, Zach and Cody, etc, I think that High School Musical pretty much fits into that niche of what little kids like. And it was cute.

For me tho, I prefer Disney movies ;o)

[Paulyd]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:01pm

I think we all have to remember that this show was produced for kids and not adults. It makes me chuckle that people always try to pull this film apart and try and make some sense of it.

It does what it says on the tin. Nuff said

[thesinger]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:11pm

I think it's simply mindless fun for kids. Why not introduce them to music in a fun way? It's harmless, in my opinion. Yes, it is a change from past decades of the disney movies like "Mary Poppins", but time changes as does the media. I think we should embrace the new generation of mindless fun.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:40pm

Oh come on Curtain!

I am a rabid Judy fan--I have every video, CD, and DVD. As much as I love Judy, not every film she made was equal to her talent ("Pigskin Parade" anyone?). "High School Musical" is harmless fun, like many of the films Judy made (The Andy Hardy series?!!!!).

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:42pm

haha, you made me rewatch this movie :)

im like watching it on my computer as i write this, haha

i dont get all the hate for the movie, its just good, cheesy fun, haha. the whole franchise is kind of overblown, but the movie itself isnt that bad.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:45pm

Sorry, hated this movie. Horrible and predictable plot, awful music and lyrics, really bad acting.

Ugh.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 8:55pm

"Jump In" was better--- much better music !

[Christina Cooper]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 9:31pm

i though High School Musical was cute and fun and entertaining.. I'm in high school, and all my friends and I love that movie. It's fun for groups of al ages. It's not meant to like change your life.. FUN

[Copeman63]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 11:21pm

CurtainPullDowner

To paraphrase Margaret Cho...
"That's the gayest thing I've ever read... You should have just wrote F**k Me In The A$$."

[jagfkb]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 6:07am

I've actually done the stage version of High School Musical, in which I played Ryan. Let me ell you, the show was alot of fun to do. Definately order the rights, you'll have a ball!

[1peter4:10]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 12:53pm

Micheal Crawford on a cereal box! Best line in the !movie

[heil myself!]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 1:37pm

Ugh. That doesn't even deserve to be called a "musical." It's more of an awfully-acted movie with music videos for crappy pop songs arbitrarily inserted into it.

And don't get me wrong. I love mindless fun (I just hate this movie). But couldn't they introduce kids to some old-fashioned traditional tunes? Like, Mary Poppins was kid-friendly mindless fun. Couldn't they have done something with some big brass sections?

Oh, I also think Zac Efron has no talent.

[CHGriffiths]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 3:40pm

RUBBISH FILM!!!!!! worst film ever made, stupid predictibale plot with songs that make me cringe. I say KILL IT!!!!!!

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 8:22am

I 100% agree with you on that guys! Saw the movie, thought it was dull and pointless. Why some people like it, I don't know.

Hated the songs (the worst was "Get Your Head In The Game" That's not a song, more of a rap version. Nowhere near Musical style.

And what's the point on Disney doing another 2 sequels?! (1 of them being a Halloween Version)

I pray to God that Disney Theatrical don't bring it to Broadway because I would scream till my lungs god raspy. Aye Aye Aye

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 8:31am

Sidney, here's the thing: when "Babes in Arms" opened, it wasnt announced as a franchise. It was a fun little film musical that the audience saw as a sort of cinematic toy. If Disney had left HSM as a mainstay on the Disney Channel, maybe it wouldnt have been greeted with such derision when DisneyCo announces sequels and ice shows and video games and Lord only knows what all else in an effort to market this forgettable little twaddle as the Next Best Thing. If you're going to play the franchise card, seems to me that you have to have *something* to merit its becoming a franchise in the first place, and HSM simply doesnt have enough *anything* to sustain that kind of weight. Like I said, at least "Babes in Arms" had a Rodgers and Hart score and Busby Berkeley, not to mention Rooney and Garland. And best of all, the studio knew not to go down the road of "Babes in Arms 2" or "Babes in Arms ON ICE!" or "Babes in Arms Action Figures with Eighteen Things to Say to YOU!"

I know, it's a different world now, one where marketing can make anyone or anything a star. But if we're looking at HSM as a means of making kids appreciating musicals, we might as well say to them that Paris Hilton is a role model.

[starryeyes2]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 9:31am

I recently just finished a season of the show in Australia, we were one of the first to perform it and it is every bit as cheesy as the movie though thoroughly enjoyable to perform in and watch. Yes it has some of the worst lyrics ever but it's so peppy and fun and you just have to smile. We have a very successful 12 shows and every child, teenager and adult that came to see it loved it. Most went home to watch the movie. If you take it too seriously you'll only see flaws. It's meant for a bit of light hearted fun for teens. I think it's hilarious!

Posted: 6/6/07 at 10:27am

When I saw this show in Islip last November, what struck me most was how the audience was so dominated by little girls born in the years between Rent and Hairspray.

I've dragged my daughter to "kid's shows" such as Peter Pan, and I've seen plenty of bored kids attending other shows against their will. But it looked like the kids were dragging their parents to HSM.

This show could turn out to be the "gateway drug" that gets those kids hooked on Broadway when they hit their teens and twenties. Omigod, you guys! Times Square will look like Justin's on TRL every day.

[i-heart-bway]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:33am

Bway Local is completely right! HSM has paved the way for kids to Broadway. What I mean is... most kids these days are into normal things like sports, friends, watching tv...but not enough are... "cultured". I don't know a lot of kids that like musicals or anything of that sort. I think that what High School Musical has done is a great thing. Disney was right to make this into a stage production and hopefully take it to Broadway. That way, kids can will-fully go to the theatre and actually enjoy it. Not feel like they have to go.

[me2]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 12:35pm

I keep meaning to see this.

But I will say that anything that promotes theatre to young people is great. I think in fifteen years, people will look back on this movie and pinpoint it as a place of inspiration.
Broadway Blog: . . . The Jane Eyre Altercation (a sad but true story)

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 4:57pm

As a teacher, I have to echo all those who have made comments about "High School Musical" getting young people interested in theatre. We have to remember that Disney didn't see most of us who post on this board as the movie/show's target audience. Though I want my students to love shows like "Gypsy" and "Carousel" they are more in-tune with shows like "Grease," "Rent," "Hairspray," and "Wicked." I also think that I will soon be able to add "Spring Awakening" to that list. If "High School Musical" gets them interested, maybe one day I can talk them into seeing "Sweeney Todd" (okay, so I dream big!).

Posted: 6/6/07 at 9:54pm

okay, people keep commenting on the weak plot, and under-developed characters and the "mindlessness" of the show in a whole, but lets keep in mind. this is a disney channel movie. its not meant to be a great piece of touching and thought-provoking theatre. ive ran this show 3 times in 3 different venues, with 3 different characters. the people who see the show are usually no older than 12. they wanna see troy and sharpay. the 7 year olds are not interested how well written it is.