USAToday
Claudia Puig
It's not much of a surprise that the massively popular High School Musical teens have sung and danced their way onto the big screen. A change of venue was an obvious no-brainer for Disney execs, who know a cash cow when they see and hear one.
The masses of children, tweens and early teens who loved the first two Disney Channel installments will surely enjoy seeing the attractive cast again in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. They probably won't mind that the story is thin and that a bigger budget doesn't necessarily mean better. In this instance, bigger is pretty much the same. But why fix a formula that works for its target audience, and is anything but broken?
That's not to say the extravagantly choreographed musical numbers are not exuberant. They are. But the plot is almost incidental, and characters never go beyond one-dimensional. There's the requisite teen romance, the bratty girl who seeks to thwart things, the eccentric but supportive teacher and a bit of bland conflict.
What grabs and keeps our attention are the pretty faces, infectious songs and eye-popping dance moves. The style of the songs (which are catchy, then quickly forgettable) varies between rock-lite, hip-hop-lite and generic pop ballads.
Troy (Zac Efron) leads East High School's basketball team to a championship victory, as he and his teammates sing, dance and shoot hoops.
But it's a bittersweet time.
High school days are coming to a close and college is looming. But first, of course, the kids have to put on a show! The drama teacher (Alyson Reed) has invited recruiters from Juilliard, who will attend the senior musical and award one scholarship.
The ever-scheming Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) is hoping for the starring role, as well as a place at Juilliard. Also vying for the single spot is her more talented and likable twin brother, Ryan (Lucas Grabeel). A forced conflict is cooked up involving Troy and his brainy beloved, Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens).
Lest it seem the franchise might come to an end, rest assured that younger students are being groomed to take over for their senior counterparts. English transfer student Tiara (Jemma McKenzie-Brown) will probably assume the attention-seeking Sharpay mantle, and a pair of goofy new basketball players will presumably try to fill the shoes of upcoming graduates Troy and Chad (Corbin Bleu).
This threequel is a major showcase for the charisma and talent of heartthrob Efron. The movie's highlight is The Boys Are Back, a rousing number that features Efron and Bleu and some great choreography in a junkyard full of inventive props.
Director Kenny Ortega (Newsies) gets props for ensuring a place for musical theater in the hearts of a new generation.
And with the latest plethora of gross-out bathroom humor in movies aimed at a young audience, High School Musical 3 really does emerge like a breath of fresh air. Even if the refreshing gust doesn't stay with you long, it's fun while it lasts.
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