Directed by Kenny Ortega; Starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman; Gen cert, gen release, 112 min ***
This clean-cut, charming musical is a throwback to early Hollywood, writes Michael Dwyer
THE title star of Babewill be flying in formation over the Hollywood sign if Peter Barsocchini's screenplay for High School Musical 3: Senior Yearsecures an Oscar nomination next January.
And in the highly unlikely event that it does, in which category should it figure? Technically, it qualifies for Best Original Screenplay, but Best Screenplay Adaptation might be more appropriate for a film following in a long line of similar scenarios dating back to the charming "Let's put on a show" musicals that starred Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
In keeping with that venerable tradition, Barsocchini's screenplay is a frame on which to string together the many exuberant song-and-dance numbers. They are the movie's raison d'etre, and the spirited young actors perform them with boundless energy.
The movie is unique among second sequels in that it's the first in the series to go on cinema release. That must have been irresistible, given the vast international tween audience reached with the two earlier films, which were produced for the Disney Channel, and through spin-off DVDs and CDs.
The series presents an idealised view of life at East High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where all the students are attractive, talented and well-dressed. They happily co-exist in racial harmony and live in large, comfortable homes with caring, supportive parents. It's the polar opposite of Gus Van Sant's picture of the US high school experience in Elephant, following two students on a homicidal massacre. When the East High classmates have a party, it's in sharp contrast to Leaving Cert results night in Ireland, without a trace of drugs or alcohol.
As graduation day looms for the East High regulars, basketball- playing student Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is faced with a difficult decision - pursue sport or theatre? - and with the prospect of being parted from his teen sweetheart, Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), who's going to university more than 1,000 miles away.
First there is the essential matter of rehearsing for the end-of-term concert. It certainly helps that East High happens to be a hotbed of talent, awash with gifted students to perform as singers, dancers and musicians with the flair of Broadway veterans. They get plenty of practice, bursting into song at every opportunity, as Troy does on the basketball court, in a junkyard, and in a backyard treehouse where he duets with Gabriella. And there's a nod to Busby Berkeley's dazzling musical classics in a dance sequence where impeccably choreographed tableaux are shot from overhead.
The movie is rare among post- MTV musicals in that it resists rapid-fire editing during the musical routines. Refreshingly, director Kenny Ortega allows his camera to observe and admire the elaborate, meticulously performed dance movements in full flight, which is not so surprising given that Ortega doubles as choreographer on the movie.
In the central role, Efron radiates natural star quality and an agreeable lightness of touch, and the chemistry between him and Hudgens is appealing.
Lucas Grabeel is irrepressible in the best sense, stealing several scenes as Ryan Evans, the concert's adventurous student choreographer who fancies himself the heir to Bob Fosse. And Ashley Tisdale plays his ambitious but less talented sister, the scheming Sharpay, with ample layers of dizziness.
Sharpay is one of just two even vaguely nasty characters in a sweet-natured escapist entertainment that's less risque than a 1960s Doris Day comedy. The grand finale, which lasts half an hour, is the full-on staging of the school concert. The cast exults in the joy of performance with infectious enthusiasm.
Child's eye: 'The songs and choreography are better than in the last two movies'
Twelve-year-old Orla Faheygives her view of High School Musical 3: Senior Year
The movie begins at the Wildcats' last match of the season. At East High the senior-year students are all thinking about college, prom night and graduation. All get roped into doing the school musical, which is based on their last year at the school. Troy and Gabriella, of course, get the lead roles. Sharpay is up to her usual tricks by trying to get Gabrielle out to the way so she can star opposite Troy.
As usual, Sharpay gets her way when Gabriella is offered a place at Stanford University in California and has to leave early to take up her place. Broken- hearted Troy drives all the way to get her to come back for prom night and graduation. When they both come back for the show, Troy has made up his mind where he's going to college, and so have all the other students.
There seem to be fewer songs in this Hight School Musical movie than the others. The songs and lyrics and choreography are much better than in the last two movies.
There was more of a storyline in the other two movies, but this was well put together and I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it, but I think it is most suitable for kids aged 7-plus.
