the movieGOOMBA

2.5 GOOMBAS

I liked High School Musical. What was I thinking? Was it really good? I can’t remember anymore - my memory of it is tainted by High School Musical 2.

Disney’s newest teen idols Zach Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are back for round two in this tween, cash cow, High School Musical 2. It’s the end of the school year and Troy and Gabrielle are hoping for the summer of their lives. Rivals, Sharpay and her flamboyant brother, Ryan, head to their parent owned, golf resort, home, and in an attempt to steal Troy for herself, Sharpay secretly offers him a job at the resort. Troy accepts the position with the original cast of high schoolers in tow.

Overall, this movie was cute and tolerable. The kids in this film are too good-looking for their own good, and many of the songs are good in that pop-y kind of way. Plus, we all have to keep in mind that this is a made-for-TV movie, so that automatically changes the scoring card. I'd love for my kids to turn on the TV and obsess about this movie instead of trying to keep up with the Britneys and Lindseys of the world. It's just good clean fun. It's also worth mentioning that the production of this movie far exceeds the expectations of any typical made-for-TV film. The wardrobe alone probably cost more than any Lifetime movie cost to make. However, compared to its earlier counterpart, High School Musical 2 doesn't have its 'head in the game.'

High School Musical 2 didn't have any unique creativity. It took the same formula and regurgitated it all over again, but with a less diverse song selection. The whole movie was Pop, with Zach Efron at center stage, his fists pounding the air and his face forming ridiculous, "passionate" contortions. Poor Miss Hudgens, who I think is adorable despite the naked picture scandal, takes a definite backseat; even Ashley Tisdale surpasses her. It just isn't anything special.

The verdict: every teenyboppers dream come true, but if you've already been through high school once, why do it again?