Rating: [rate 4.5]
As seniors in high school ,Troy and Gabriella struggle with the idea of being separated from one another as college approaches. Along with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.
It’s been so long since I last listened to any High School Musical songs. Ever since it became a household name and everyone was singing and making remakes of the songs and all that, I stopped being a big fan because…well, everyone else loved it and I didn’t really like going along with what everyone liked. But, being a Disney Channel lover and having watched the first two movies, I knew I’d watch this. I was kind of prepared for some cheesy songs and all that, but…I guess you can say that the third movie surprised me. In a good way.
I loved the first movie for the gripping and clean story. It’s the kind of movie that you’d watch because you want to know what happens to Troy and Gabriella, to know if they’d get together and if they’d get the main parts even with Sharpay and Ryan sabotaging them. The songs were easy to remember and fun to sing, and the lesson is easy to see. It’s something you wouldn’t mind watching over and over again (even if I admit, the lip syncing kind of annoys me) just to feel good. The second movie was okay, but I admit I didn’t like it as much as the first, probably because I found some of their songs too poppy or corny. Plus the fact that it’s only been the first twenty minutes and I’ve seen what, four song numbers already? I felt tired for the cast already.
The third one made me like the franchise again. HSM3: Senior Year deals with the cast’s senior year, as mentioned in the title. It dealt a lot with the changes that come with graduating, the choices and sacrifices that they have to make as they make their own way and…well, grow up. :) If this movie went out back in 2006 when I was about to graduate, I bet I would’ve cried like JM did, as I am a sap for things like this. But it did leave me with a bittersweet feeling, as in a way I can also relate with their growing up. It’s…life. :)
Oh, and the songs! One thing I didn’t like with the first two movies is that there’s always the “forgettable” solo in each movie — When There Was Me and You by Vanessa Hudgens in the first movie and Bet On It by Zac Efron in the second movie. It’s the solo numbers that I’d really rather not watch. But for this movie, all solos were lovable. From Vanessa’s Walk Away to Zac’s Scream — they weren’t corny, the acting wasn’t as OA as the ones in the first two movies, and the songs are way better. The fast songs make me want to dance, or at least, tap my foot with the beat (especially for The Boys are Back!) and the ballads are sweet and perfectly fits the mood. The waltz could’ve been done in a better way though, but it was still sweet, nonetheless. The dance numbers (one thing I really loved with all the movies because it makes it seem like such a fun movie) are great too — and did you see how thin Martha is now? I wonder if she used alli…or maybe it’s really with all the dancing. :)
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a nice feel-good movie, the one you should watch to relax and enjoy as you bop your heads to the music. :) The last part that showed the six main characters before their final bow was just awww. :) They’ve graduated — what’s next? :)