High School Musical 3: Senior Year (U)
Carousel Film ReviewsPublished October 23, 2008 at 17:57 No Comments
Since the beginning, in 2006, Disney has had a cult goldmine on its hands with the all-singing, all-dancing High School Musical franchise.
After the first and second made-for-TV releases proved so popular with tweens, teens and big kids worldwide, the third instalment has reached box-office release and doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it out-sings and out-shines the previous two, offering a wonderful, light-hearted, mood-lifting, must-see movie.
The bigger box-office budget is evident with the more extravagant settings and even more fabulous costumes, but you can still expect the usual toe-tapping numbers and touching tales of friendships and romance from the East High students.
The tone of the story is more grown-up than the previous two, as we follow Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) and the gang, through their last few moments of High School, where they face tough decisions regarding their future, regarding what they want to do and who they want to be.
Kelsey signs up the whole gang for this year’s Spring Musical, entitled ‘Senior Year,’ detailing the lives of the characters themselves, with Miss Darbus believing, “playing a role is easy, but being yourself; that’s the challenge.” Rehearsals for the show ensue, where characters reveal their hopes and dreams, as well as their fears for the future.
Troy and Chad plan to continue playing ball at the University of Albuquerque, brainiacs Gabriella and Taylor fulfil their dreams, off to Stanford and Yale, whilst Sharpay and Ryan compete for a coveted scholarship at New York’s Juilliard School, a prestigious performing arts college, which Kelsey is also in contention for, as is an unwitting Troy.
As a Ryan and Sharpay devotee, even I found myself caught up in the romance of Troy and Gabriella, as they struggle to come to terms with the end of High School and facing a future where they are over 1,000 miles apart. When Gabriella has to leave for Stanford early, the school is at a loss; she can no longer star in the musical, a role which Sharpay is happy to step into; for Gabriella of course. But when Troy reveals his decision during the graduation scene; basketball or theatre? I found myself slightly tearful at his expression of love.
The development of the supporting cast members is wonderful as we see Kelsey, Martha and co with bigger roles than previously. But, as per usual, the only weak link in the movie is Troy’s solo song and dance number, which is a tad cringe-worthy as he details his struggles to take charge of his future.
Unfortunately, Senior Year is said to be the last film with the current cast; I guess you can’t do a High School Musical with characters that have graduated from High School. However, we are introduced to three new, equally fantastic characters; Donny Dion, basketball ace Jimmy “The Rocket” Zara and my personal favourite; Sharpay’s English assistant; Tiara Gold, who are all freshmen at East High and could prove to be the main Wild Cats if a fourth instalment were given the go-ahead.
If musicals are not your thing, then I would avoid this movie (the clue’s in the title) but if you’re a romantic at heart, a fan of happy endings and find singing and dancing irresistible, then this is unmissible. High School Musical 3: Senior Year offers a movie that will make you smile from start to finish; a film about friendship and love, alongside a great soundtrack; what’s not to enjoy? From start to finish, It’s absolutely fabulous!
