Guest Review: High School Musical 3

High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Directed by Kenny Ortega
Released October 24, 2008

As a fan of the first two “High School Musical” installments, I went to see “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” with high expectations. And the movie certainly fulfilled those expectations. The choreography by Kenny Ortega has reached a new peak and the musical performances are certainly above those of the previous two films. Still, many fans and newcomers may be left disappointed. The plot lacks anything unexpected and, at its core, the movie is really just a series of outstanding music videos strung together. However, Zac Efron and Corbin Bleu display unforgettable performances that won't disappoint. In terms of the music, the soundtrack is very different in comparison to the previous films. The new songs really have a more theatrical vibe and are missing the basic sing-along qualities that made the first two soundtracks so wonderful. Notable tracks include “Can I Have This Dance,” “Just Wanna Be With You,” and the aptly named, “High School Musical.” “Senior Year” is a movie that builds excitement immediately and doesn't lose your attention throughout the movie. It's certainly an entertaining movie and one that I would enjoy seeing again but, if you didn't like either of the first two movies, you might want to consider passing on this one.

B

-Josh Blum