After having enormous success on the Disney Channel, the High School Musical franchise finally made its debut on the big screen with High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The film follows the Wildcats in their senior year as they deal with moving on from East High and going to college and leaving behind all of the memories that they have made over the past couple of years. The six main actors from the first two films also return along with director and choreographer Kenny Ortega. So, what’s different about this version of High School Musical, besides the fact that it was the first film released on the big screen? Well, it’s bigger, better, and features even more energy and life than the previous two films.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year opens up at half time of the Wildcats’ championship game against The West High Knights. The Wildcats are trailing with only sixteen minutes left in the game and they need a miracle in order to pull off a victory. They are led by Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu). The team also features a young player by the name of Rocket Man, played by Matt Prokop. Troy also has the support of his girlfriend Gabriella, played by the lovely Vanessa Hudgens. Will the Wildcats be able to pull off the victory and cement their legacy as champions once again?
Come on, people, this is High School Musical we’re talking about here. I’m just glad that the film doesn’t end with a big basketball game and the big shot. Then we would really be following the movie clichés.
After the big game, Gabriella and Troy are trying to figure out what to do after high school ends and how it’s going to affect their relationship. They are so used to being with each other that they’re basically codependent. As of right now, though, they’re trying to get things to slow down and just relax and enjoy each and every moment with each other.
As far as Sharpay Evans, played by Ashley Tisdale, she’s looking for a personal assistant and ends up hiring a British exchange student named Tiara Gold (Jemma Mckenzie-Brown). She’s also looking to get her big break in the spring musical, which is led by Ms. Darbus and Kelsi. The musical is about their final days at East High and it deals with their insecurities, fears, and worries about the future. Also, Ms. Darbus announces that Troy, Kelsi, Ryan, and Sharpay are all being considered for a scholarship to Julliard.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year also deals with the almighty prom. Yes, the senior prom, one of the most sacred and cherished events of the high school experience. Speaking of prom, Chad better hurry up and ask out Taylor (Monique Coleman) to prom before it’s too late and she finds another date. Ryan and Kelsi are also spending a lot of time together because of their passion for music.
Yes, it’s a busy senior year at East High and it’s only going to get busier as the year progresses.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is the best High School Musical film because at this stage all of the actors are completely comfortable with these characters and they know them like the back of their hand. Now that they understand their characters so well, they’re able to just relax and focus on the performance aspect of the film. The relationships and friendships look effortless on camera, especially the relationship between Vanessa and Zac. It probably helps that they’re dating in real life.
The film is also interesting because not only are the characters graduating in the film; the actors are also graduating from this franchise. They will have to venture outside of their comfort zone and stay relevant and interesting in today’s entertainment world. Out of the six lead actors, I see Ashley Tisdale having the brightest future because of her versatility. As far as Vanessa Hudgens, I’d like to see her do something a little edgier in the future. We know she can play the sweet and innocent role, but I’d like to see her do something that surprises people.
Zac Efron looks like he’s ready to move on from the franchise and do something different. That’s not to say that he doesn’t give it his all in this film. He still gives it one hundred and ten percent, but he also looks like he’s sort of tapped out. The relationship between Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman was also a bright spot in the film, and I liked how their romance was portrayed in an innocent and sweet way. Even though they are full of confidence, they’re still nervous about asking each other out.
The soundtrack for the film is also off the hook. Yes, I said off the hook. The opening track in the film, Now or Never, is an upbeat tune that properly establishes the drama of the big basketball game. The love songs are also memorable, including Right Here, Right Now, Can I Have This Dance, and Just Wanna Be With You. Each song describes what Gabriella and Troy are dealing with in a way that is heartfelt but also catchy.
The best song in the film, without a doubt, is I Want It All, performed by Ashley Tisdale. It’s a big song and Tisdale nails it. It’s also a big dance number that Kenny Ortega hits out of the park with plenty of flare and charm. Corbin Bleu and Zac Efron also have fun with the nostalgic tune, The Boys Are Back. Efron channels Kevin Bacon in Footloose with the rock song, Scream, while Vanessa Hudgens shows off her angelic voice in the tune Just Walk Away. Finally, the film ends on an upbeat note with the song, High School Musical, which features lyrics such as, “High School Musical, It's the best part we've ever known.”
This is true.
In terms of this website, I’m probably alone in my admiration for High School Musical. But that’s OK. The other day, someone described it to me as our generation’s Grease, and I couldn’t agree more. So, what’s changed since then? Well, in my opinion, we’ve gotten a lot more cynical since Grease and we have a hard time watching a film that’s harmless fun without any violence, sex, or swearing.
Yes, High School Musical is not going to win any Oscars and it’s never going to be on the IMDB Top 250. Yes, you’re probably annoyed by all of the High School Musical merchandise that floods your local Walmart. Yes, it’s aimed at a particular demographic. Yes, it’s silly and over the top.
That being said, when I walk into a film called High School Musical, I expect two things. First and foremost, I expect a film that tackles different high school problems, such as relationships, moving on after high school, friendship, college decisions, etc. High School Musical 3: Senior Year deals with all of that and more. I also expect some good music and the music in High School Musical 3: Senior Year is really, really good and really, really catchy.
So, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Video:
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is presented in anamorphic widescreen. (1.85:1 aspect ratio) The DVD transfer is extremely colorful and full of life, just like the film itself.
Audio:
The audio is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital and all of your favorite songs from the movie can be heard loud and clear.
Special Features:
This is the extended version of the film and it features an extra scene that helps showcase more of the drama of senior year.
We are treated to eight deleted scenes that total six minutes in running time. Most of the scenes are really quick and add nothing new to the story. One interesting scene, though, fleshes out the “relationship” between Kelsi and Ryan.
Two minutes of bloopers are also featured on this DVD.
Night of Nights: This is a prom featurette that includes interviews with the cast, as they offer their insights on the prom experience. The guys are supposed to hate it, but once they see the girl of their dreams all dressed up, that hatred goes out the window. Oh, girls also take forever to get ready. What else is new? This feature runs at seven minutes.
It’s All in the Dress: This is a two minute featurette that explains the prom dresses for each female character in the film. This feature runs at two minutes.
Cast Goodbyes: This is a five-minute featurette that includes lots of crying and lots of reminiscing from the cast, as they say goodbye to this very popular franchise.. Even Efron cries!
Sing Along with the Movie: See if you’re as good as Zac Efron or Vanessa Hudgens, as you get a chance to sing along to all of the songs in the movie.
You also get a digital copy of the film with this DVD.
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