High School Musical

Pros: Interesting concept, probably appealing to teens, catchy songs

Cons: Poor acting and lipsynching

The Bottom Line: Overall, I thought I would like this better.

Review: High School Musical has gotten quite a lot of buzz as made-for-television movies go. Originally aired on the Disney Channel, it now dominates the shelves of Best Buy and currently ranks #27 in DVD sales at Amazon. A couple of friends...

Pros: great family fun, nice Disney musical, interesting storylines about high school

Cons: none really

The Bottom Line: A film where two students must decide what is most important to them, it is fun to watch, and an interesting look at high school cliques.

Review: Due to a chance meeting at a karaoke contest, two high school students cross paths for the first time. Troy Bolton has been the high-school sweetheart for some time, sitting at the top of the popularity "game", and also being captain of the...

Pros: Fun songs in a good story

Cons: I rented it instead of just buying it.

The Bottom Line: This is a fun musical aimed at kids. Adults will be able to enjoy it, too.

Review: This was just supposed to be a cheap TV movie made for The Disney Channel. Instead, it has become a huge hit in the pre-teen crowd with a top selling soundtrack, a concert tour happening during the 2006 holiday season, and two DVD releases...

Pros: beloved by pre-teens, inoffensive, nice message

Cons: extremely over-the-top, corny dialogue, unnatural musical numbers

The Bottom Line: It's not as bad as From Justin to Kelly. But it's close...

Review: Recently, a high school in my area launched a production of High School Musical based on the popular made-for-TV Disney movie. Mom and I had both heard of the film before, but reading the article about the play was enough to compel us to...

Pros: A light-hearted and cute film, catchy songs, fun for teens and adults...

Cons: ...plot is TOO simple, the acting isn't the best.

The Bottom Line: High School Musical is a great gift for your teenage niece, but if you're bored one afternoon, it's a decent enough film to hold an adult's interest as well.

Review: The Disney Channel has released a plethora of made-for-TV movies, but most recently High School Musical has made way as one of the most popular. Though the movie originally aired in January of 2006, it was later released on DVD in May,...

Pros: fun, catchy songs, fine for kids under 10

Cons: cheesy for adults, predictable- oh well.

The Bottom Line: works for me.

Review: I must admit when it comes to films for my kids, I tend to be pretty particular. I had avoided High School Musical for years thinking it was for kids maybe in 4th grade and up, but over Thanksgiving weekend my crew and I watched the first film- just...

Pros: Well, Zac Efron did go on to do a real musical called Hairspray

Cons: Remember when The Brady Bunch did bubblegum pop? Compared to this, the Bradys were cutting-edge

The Bottom Line: Not even bad enough to be campy fun. Give your child enough credit to not feed this sludge to his/her brain

Review: (DISCLAIMER: Even though I'd despised High School Musical, I acknowledge in the following review that millions of American viewers love it. Don't bother writing me hate mail about what non-taste I have. As I also wrote in the...

Pros: Good acting, fun danceable soundtrack; kids want to sing along. Little moral lesson thrown in.

Cons: A little syrupy sweet at times, some unrealistic plot elements, but fun nonetheless.

The Bottom Line: A fun family story you can enjoy with your tweens. While some of it is predictable, as the end nears you wonder how they'll work it all out!

Review: Most parents of tweens know that "High School Musical" was THE big Disney hit of 2006. Due to high demand by viewers, Disney channel replayed this one time and again, before releasing it to DVD, marketing soundtracks, and even incorporating it into...

Pros: Family film, audience involvement, catchy lyrics and music, high energy dancing.

Cons: Cheesy, overacting.

The Bottom Line: This film will keep your whole families attention while giving you the urge to get up and dance. The movie will leave you singing well after it has ended.

Review: I was first introduced to the movie High School Musical by my four young siblings, ranging from ages 5-9. They would dance around the house singing the lyrics to "Get Your Head In The Game" and "Its The Start of Something New", just a couple of the...

Pros: Available in a Remix version that is complete with song lyrics and choreography.

Cons: Cheesy, yes, but surely you expected that just a little bit.

The Bottom Line: It is a feel-good movie, the big group production scenes and the ending number are very fun and have a great lesson to teach. Just sit back and enjoy.

Review: Director and Choreographer: Kenny Ortega
Writer: Peter Barsocchini

Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) first meet when they are both pushed on a karaoke stage at a New Year s Eve party at a ski resort. They...