When choruses of “We’re All in This Together” and “Push it to the Limit” started to echo across the country, some joined the singing circus while others turned to gag. Since January of 2006, Neuqua Valley has had to share the Wildcat with Disney’s fake “East High.”
High School Musical Three: Senior Year has arrived, bringing with it what some consider to be poor acting and simple plots. The real teens of the world have publicly praised the movie, secretly enjoyed it, or whole-heartedly denounced it. Jack Turanchek, a junior claimed, “I’d rather watch the notebook, it’s that bad,” while other students, like junior Tevin Hunt consider it the “best movie that’s ever come out.”
Predictable plots seem to be the trilogy’s forte, but there still must be reasons for fans over the age of twelve flocking to the theater. Two sophomores disagree on the reason, Brigid Campbell says that “Zac Efron’s hot, but that’s it,” while Kelly Marsh claims that the songs are what keep her coming back. The simple conflicts presented at East High are always solved and leave the audience with a “feel good” ending. This sharply contrasts the hectic, complicated lives of actual teens in high school; HSM 3 offers an escape from the average chaotic teen life, while still remaining relatable. The simplicity of this movie may attract teens because it stands out from complicated, creepy, or gruesome entertainment that surrounds the young generation. Equally as luring for the teen generation, Hudgens and Efron have been dating in real life for some time, which offers relatable and social gossip to keep up on.
The messages offered by the three films are notoriously positive; Hudgens and Efron play the “good” couple, while Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabreel play the villainous pair. The four duke it out through each movie, but every problem is solved so that everyone is satisfied and some universal moral is learned. But the racy photos of Hudgens that reached the public sharply contrasted her innocent disposition and became the lone black mark on her record. Apparently, like Miley Cyrus, Hudgens has been forgiven by Disney, and her innocent role has been re-assumed in the third movie.
Whether it deserves the spotlight or not, High School Musical 3 has rocked its way into the lives of people of all ages.
By Kelly Klus, staff writer
