High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
October 26, 2008 by Anand Pandey
Filed under Review
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Story
What story? Does it really matter? Basically, the Wildcats have graduated to the big screen for their senior year with the daunting task of — guess what? — putting on a big show. In addition to performance anxiety, the singing and dancing kids must also figure out what to wear and who to bring to the prom. Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), in particular, have to figure out what is to become of their romance when Gaby goes to Stanford, while Troy stays in Arizona. Adding to the drama is the fact representatives from Julliard will be in attendance at the show and their approval could be just the showbiz break these young talents are looking for. All of this interstitial storytelling is just an excuse to launch into one of the 10 big musical numbers written for this theatrical continuation of the enormously successful Emmy-winning Disney Channel TV films, and although the songs seem to have come out of the same cookie cutter mold, the production values make this HSM an eye-popping celebration of song and dance that’s pure entertainment from start to finish.
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Acting
This attractive and energetic young cast have used the two previous films to grow into their roles and win instant audience recognition. It’s in the expanded and more demanding musical numbers that everyone really gets their turn in the sun, and no one disappoints. Zac Efron channels Justin Timberlake with his athletic and singular “Scream,” a breakdance against the walls of the school’s hallway that’s pretty damn thrilling to watch. It’s the hip-hop equivalent of Fred Astaire’s classic dance on the ceiling in 1950’s Royal Wedding. Equally effective is his intense auto junkyard number with Corbin Bleu (returning as Chad), “The Boys Are Back,” is a lively paean to Michael Jackson’s ‘80s videos like Beat It. Hudgens does nicely with the largely forgettable ballads “Walk Away” and “Right Here Right Now” (with Efron). Lucas Grabeel, back as Ryan, goes all top hat and tails on us in the Broadway inspired “I Want It All” — opposite diva-like Sharpay, played with conniving authority once again by Ashley Tisdale. Monique Coleman as Taylor is right at home here as well along with the other veteran of the earlier films Olesya Rulin as Kelsi. Assuming the series goes on after graduation, a new generation of HSM performers will be required and that is the apparent reason for the generous screen time given to younger, newer cast members: Matt Prokop, Justin Martin and young British import Jemma McKenzie–Brown.
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Direction
With director/choreographer Kenny Ortega at the helm, the HSM concept has been opened up to fill the expanse of the big screen. At its core, the musical numbers are much, MUCH larger and grandiose than they ever were in the TV films. Ortega and his team have used bright vivid Technicolor images reminiscent of the heyday of ‘50s Hollywood musicals and married it to a contemporary approach. Still, he seems to be channeling in some ways the elaborate Busby Berkeley movie musicals of the ‘30s, particularly in Grabeel’s set pieces. Clearly, Ortega ‘gets it’ and knows what style and verve a musical like this needs — no matter how young the intended audience. Having the luxury of directing most of his primary cast in the two previous HSM TV outings, he takes that small-screen energy and lets it explode in all its widescreen glory.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
October 20, 2008 by Anand Pandey
Filed under Hollywood Movies, Musicals
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
Synopsis:
High school seniors Troy and Gabriella are facing the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.
Full Cast & Crew
Theatrical Release
10/24/2008
Studio Credit
Walt Disney Pictures Studio
Director Credit
Kenny Ortega Director
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Cast Credit
Zac Efron Troy Bolton
Ashley Tisdale Sharpay Evans
Vanessa Anne Hudgens Gabriella Montez
Lucas Grabeel Ryan Evans
Corbin Bleu Chad Danforth
Monique Coleman Taylor McKessie
Olesya Rulin Kelsi Nielson
Matt Prokop Jimmie ‘The Rocket’ Zara
Justin Martin Donny
Jemma McKenzie-Brown Tiara
Production Credits Credit
Bill Borden Producer
Don Schain Co-Producer
Barry Rosenbush Producer
Distribution Companies Credit
Buena Vista Sony Pictures Releasing (BVSPR) Foreign Distribution Rights
Writer Credit
Peter Barsocchini Screenplay
Peter Barsocchini Source Material
Art Department Credit
Mark Hoefling Production Designer
Richard T. Olson Art Department Coordinator
Ken Kirchner Set Decorator
Casting Credit
Tye Nelson Casting Assistant
Jason La Padura Casting Director
Melissa Moss Casting Associate
Film Camera Credit
Daniel Aranyo Director of Photography
Don Muirhead Steadicam Operator
Andrew Mitchell Camera Operator
Production Management Credit
Mark Hansson Assistant Director
Don Schain Unit Production Manager
Heather Toone Assistant Director
Wardrobe Hair Makeup Credit
Ric Spencer Assistant Costume Designer
Robin Patrick Makeup Artist
Lora Lang Hair Stylist
Caroline B Marx Costume Designer
