I will admit right off the bat that I love Disney films. I love the old ones every bit as much as the newer ones. But for some reason, I just can’t get into a lot of the programming, especially the movies, that are made for the Disney Channel. Too often I find the plots cloying, the acting pedestrian and the overall quality… just a little too clean. And I don’t mean clean as in 'family friendly', I love that, but more so clean I terms of the look of the sets and the colors. If you've ever watched the Disney Channel original programming, I think you know what I mean. So when I heard I was going to review High School Musical, I was less than thrilled. I expected the usual gaggle of talent-less teenagers dancing and singing to vapid songs. Visions of many of the videos that have been included on a lot of Disney's DVD releases that feature their 'circle of young talent' singing horrible renditions of beloved Disney classics came to mind.

To make matters even worse… High School Musical boasted record ratings and a bestselling soundtrack, sure-fire proof that (based on the average 'tweens taste) it had to be bad.

However, even I… can be wrong. If anything, over the years I should have learned by now to never judge a book by its cover, or a made for TV Disney film by its… well… made for TV Disney film-ness. I sat down the other day to watch High School Musical, and found myself tapping my toes along with the music and (don't laugh) turning on the DVD's karaoke feature so I could… uhhh… sing along.

High School Musical is a story about cliques, and those who choose to go against them. I especially enjoyed this theme because when I was in High School I was vehemently opposed to the clique system and refused to pigeonhole myself into any one particular group. Most of my friends appreciated my attitude, but there were a few (who were obviously NOT my real friends) who just couldn't believe I didn't want to be a part of their little group. I just had this thing about being so narrow-minded as to live the life of any kind of stereotype, which I strictly adhere to even now.

In this film, we are introduced to Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), who meet by chance at a New Year's Eve party. During the party, they end up singing karaoke together. They end up enjoying it so much that when they meet up again at school, they strongly consider auditioning for the school musical. Unfortunately, Troy is the school's star basketball player and Gabriella is on her way to becoming a part of the Scholastic Decathlon. As you might imagine, the very thought of wither of them trying to be in a school musical warrants the 'kiss of death' from their 'friends.' Not too mention they are ostracized by some of the school's theatre group (another clique to be sure).

I had a similar situation (without the singing and dancing in the school halls… at least that I'd admit to) when I was in High School. I wasn't the star of any sports team or necessarily a brain, but my family experienced a huge tragedy at the time that caught the attention of the entire school. When I returned I was spurned by just about everyone except my closest friends. I had always loved the theatre, so I tried to immerse myself in the drama department. It was a hard beginning, with everyone staring at me for reasons other than my being on stage, but my teacher told me something after my first few months back that was very telling. We were at a drama competition and some guys from another school made some snide comments about my family's tragedy. One of my classmates put them in their place. Later, my teacher told me that when I first joined the drama department, most of the other students had their reservations about my being there. But she said that all changed pretty quickly and that there wasn't a single person in the drama department that wouldn't stick up for me.

Sorry, I got a little off the subject… well, not really. What I'm trying to say, and part of what the movie is trying to teach, is to not be afraid to go for what you want out of life, even if it is something as fleeting as being in a high school production. Don't be afraid to face your demons, whether they wear the face of your own paranoia or the faces of your peers. Peer pressure means nothing and anyone who tells you otherwise is not your real friends. Be who YOU are, not who other try to make you be.

In some ways, High School Musical is a little bit like most Disney made for TV movies, but for the most part, it is a darn sight better. The young actors are extremely talented, not just painted up dolls. They can really sing and dance, and do both very well. The songs are extremely catchy, even the handful that are a little too much on the 'pop' side.

The DVD includes the opportunity to sing along (which as I mentioned… I kind of took advantage of… in secret) as well as a bit of a 'behind the scenes' featurette. There is also an additional featurette in which director/choreographer Kenny Ortega teaches some of the movies dance moves. You'll also find two music videos.

High School Musical is not by any stretch of the imagination a big Academy Award winning production, and you shouldn't expect it to be so. But it does offer a really fun song and dance extravaganza that you can enjoy with the kids, and probably as much as they do.

Directed by: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hugdens, Ashley Tisdale
Extras: Includes original & sing along versions, "Learning the Moves" featurette led by director/choreographer Kenny Ortega, "Bringing It All Together: The Making of High School Musical", Never-before-seen music video: "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You", "We're All in This Together" music video
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Disney
Release Date: 5/23/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG Website

We'll give High School Musical a B.