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In 2006, “High School Musical” made its debut on the Disney Channel, found its way into the hearts of tweens and became the focal point of slumber parties everywhere. Following the success of “HSM,” Disney launched a sequel in 2007, reaping the same rewards. Disney then opted to release “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” exclusively in cinemas.
The movie opens in the last 16 minutes of the state championship basketball game, which the East High Wildcats are losing. After a quick pep talk from team captains Troy (Zac Efron) and Chad (Corbin Bleu), the boys turn the game around and win.
With the state championship settled, the seniors can focus on their last high school musical. As usual, Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) wants to be the center of attention, but theatrical director Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed) quickly turns Sharpay down and says the students will write a show about themselves: “We’ll call it ‘Senior Year.’”
The characters deal with being seniors and finishing high school, choosing colleges, figuring out what to do with their lives, going to prom, graduating and saying goodbye – all of which are featured in the school’s musical.
The movie’s $13 million budget is evident right from the movie’s opening moments. The costumes are flashier and higher quality, the sets include rotating stages and flashy lights, and the sound quality is improved. Some of the song and dance numbers, like Sharpay and Ryan’s (Lucas Grabeel) Broadway number, are over the top with many scene and costume changes. Because of the Hollywood budget, the simplicity and sweetness of the first two films are lost.
The audio here is better than the previous films and the tunes are catchy, but the excess use of computer-generated music overpowers the vocals. The songs in “HSM” and “HSM 2″ are more memorable and easier to sing along to because the lyrics are easier to hear.
“Senior Year” lives up to the expectations of the fans of the series. Fans are sure to leave the theater wishing their lives could feel like a high school musical.
Grade: B+
