About.com Rating



TV Rating: TV-G
Genre: Drama/Musical
Runtime: approx. 98 minutes
Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Oleysa Rulin and Alyson Reed.

High School Musical - Guide Review

A Disney Channel original movie, High School Musical is a true teenage love story. Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) meet on a karaoke stage one night while on vacation.

Despite the magical song they sang together, they would probably have never seen each other again. Gabriella’s mom gets transferred, however, and she coincidentally ends up going to the same high school as Troy.

While the two are happy to see each other again, things are a lot different when they are confined by the rigid social structure of high school. Gabriella, known in her last school as a “math geek,” does not seem to fit into Troy’s world of jocks and cheerleaders. The two really cause an upheaval though, when they act on their secret desire to try out for the lead parts in the high school musical. Although many students resent the threat posed to the status quo, Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

With a very talented cast and a great love story, High School Musical is a huge hit with kids and tweens (ages 9-14). But the movie also succeeds in another way – High School Musical presents the social concerns kids face in a non-threatening, win-win way.

Instead of following the usual tactic of the genre and allowing the underdog to prevail over the evil popular crowd, High School Musical brings students together and recognizes each person’s talent and contribution.

High School Musical - Note to Parents

High School Musical presents a great movie with a strong and uplifting moral. Other than having your girls go gaga over lead star Zac Efron, the only potential concern parents might have is one of the outfits worn by Gabriella. For the most part, kids in the movie are dressed appropriately. In one scene, though, Gabriella sings a solo song and she is wearing obscenely low-cut jeans. By today’s standard, the outfit is very normal, and it is really the only thing of note as far as possibly offensive material.

High School Musical - DVD Special Features

• “Learning The Moves” with Director/Choreographer Kenny Ortega
• Never-Before-Seen Music Video “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”
• Music Video “We’re All In This Together”
• Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
• Two versions of the film – Original and Sing Along

High School Musical Remix - DVD Special Features

The High School Musical Remix edition contains everything the original DVD has plus additional bonus features and footage including the following:

• Dance Alongs
• "Breaking Free Remix" Music Video
• "We're All In This Together Remix" Music Video
• "Eres Tu" Music Video
• "I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Music Video
• High School Reunion: Exclusive Interviews With The Cast
• Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Hollywood Premiere Event
• Behind-The-Scenes Featurette

High School Musical Remix is available on Blu-ray

Or on DVD