Customer Reviews
CHEESY RUBBISH! - By: H. Crawford, 23 Mar 2008 
I don't see why this film is so popular, it's cheesy rubbish!
If Zac Efron weren't in it, I would maybe give it a go. No offence to him, but he's a total cheeseballl!
High School Musical 2 Rocks - By: K. Holland, 11 Mar 2008 
This is a Disney Muscial with good wholesome values/morals & messages but the surprising thing is that the majority of the songs are good & the performances entertaining. As Grease was for the previous generation so High School Musical will be for this growing generation.
There are some good scenes especiallly when Sharpey sings Fabulous & the disasterous song she sings to Troy which she wants them to perform in the talent contest.
Good Fun & enjoyable.
Excellent, but not excellence...so how come 5 stars? - By: Gem, 24 Jan 2008 [Firstly, sorry, again I couldn't stop typing.]
So much has been said & written about this movie I wasn't going to even bother writing a review... but then I couldn't help myself.
I could describe the plot to you, but that has been done. I'm mainly I'm going to explain why I selected 5 stars, when in comparison to truly great movies it...well it would hardly share the same category. I'm a believer in judging a movie or TV show by its intentions & the success of carrying them through to the end result, not neccessarily by its place in the Cannon of film. HSM2, as with HSM intended to entertain with great acting, great dancing, a good plot & of course, the Disney morals. With this in mind, it succeeded.
Clearly, the brains behind the franchise realised that the target audience of the tweenies were not the only demographic drawn [almost unwillingly] to the first movie. The sequel certainly shows this realisation & also the growth of the actors & the gentle change in styles.
Loving musicals, but only expecting to get a little fix, I bought the first & was hooked, (though it kind of stands out next to Rent, Moulin Rouge, Chorus Line, Cabaret, etc.). When the sequel arrived, I bought it without a second thought. Surprise, surprise, I loved it. It certainly has a slightly more mature & complex style in the characters' behaviour/interactions with each other, (even their tone of voice) & dialogue. It has a much more complex structure within the music & even more so in the dance, without moving to far away from the established style.
The talents of the actors are shown more clearly with greater respect. Lucas Grabeel, (Ryan) is alllowed to shine through his voice & amazing dancing abilties, stepping out from Ashley Tisdale's, (Sharpay) shadow. Particularly in 'I Don't Dance' with Corbin Bleu (Chad) who also gets the same chance. This movie isn't purely the 'Troy & Gabrielle Show', which being amazed by Lucas's talents especiallly, was refreshing.
It's a musical, [obviously] & that genre can provide a realistic look at life. Although I don't honestly think HSM2 does this, I again go back to intent. This movie gives an impression of realism of American teenagers, close enough for the target audience to relate, but far enough away to escape & dream. As for anyone older watching this movie, I'm not so sure realism actuallly matters & perhaps its lack of total authenticity is what appeals to us; perhaps we only want the sunny, rosy escapism.
This movie is cheesy, yes. It doesn't stretch the imagination in it's plot or film making, (cinematography, set design, costuming, etc.) though Kenny Ortega's choreography is renowned outside his involvement in this movie & he never lets you down. It is not a work of excellence, in cinematic terms, but there is just something about this movie that has the world in a craze. Perhaps it is simply because the talent is so blatently thrown in front of you on screen. That is something I don't know how anyone can doubt. Dislike the film, fine. Hate the film, ok. But why doubt the talent or the intentions; or the successful executions of them?
This is one of those movies that 'is what it is'. Once you get that, the reason for its seemingly surprising broad appeal is not so hard to understand. It does what it does & it does it with flare.
(Though I'm still kinda embarrassed that I like it so much...or at alll.)
Better than High School Musical 1! - By: Stevo, 15 Jan 2008 High School Musical 2 is fantastic in my opinion & exceeds the first High School Musical 1. The songs in this film seem to come thick & fast & are so infectiously catchy.
The East High Wildcats are gearing up for big fun as they land the coolest summer jobs imaginable. Troy, Gabriella, Chad & Taylor are working at the Lava Springs Country Club founded by Ryan & Sharpay's family!
And with the club's annual talent show just around the corner, Sharpay's competitive instincts are sizzling. She dumps Ryan as her singing partner & starts wooing Troy to join her onstage instead. Gabriella is less than thrilled that Troy has agreed to sing with Sharpay.
Things are heating up on the lawns of high society. Will Troy & Gabriella realize that they're meant to be? Or is it already too late for them to sing one last song together? I seriously recommend this film, if you're a fan of High School Musical or if you've got the first film it's perfect for adding to your collection! Buy it now!
FABULOUS!!!! - By: Chick Flick Princess, 11 Jan 2008 I'm sure you alll know the story by now so I'll keep it short - this movie ROCKS!!!
If you liked HSM you'll LOVE this - it's so lovely & summery & happy, & just makes you wanna get up & dance & sing! The soundtrack is reallly good - full of bright happy tunes, & the dancing & script are reallly fun to watch too. Plus Zac Efron is HOTT!! haha
So if you like a good, happy, cheesy musical to cheer you up every once in a while (...or everyday in my case!!) then buy this DVD!!!!
Enjoy :) xxx
