Okay, we need to talk
Seriously, we need to talk. I'm about to reveal something about myself that may cost me some friendships. You may never look at me the same way again.
When the first High School Musical movie came out I watched it, really more as a joke than anything, and because I was kinda curious to see what all the buzz was about. I was living with Brett at the time, and so we had it Tivo'ed of course (sorry Brett, had to call you out). So one afternoon out of boredom, I watched it. And admittedly, in a secret place I don't like to talk about, I loved it. Sure it was pure cheese. But I think secretly we ALL love cheese, whether we admit it or not.
HSM1 made a huge splash, and all the stars were Tiger Beat fodder for the next SEVERAL months. We all learned that Zac and Vanessa were an item off screen just as Troy and Gabrielle were onscreen. Twelve year olds everywhere squealed with delight. And secretly so did I. Sure there was that little snafu with Vanessa sending nudie pictures to Zac and having them accidentally intercepted and splashed all over the internet, but honestly, who hasn't had that happen to them? Troy and Gabrielle remained innocent and virginal in my HSM fantasy world.
When the second HSM movie came out it was a huge media blitz. Disney obviously promoted the hell out of it and the world premiere was a big event. Lydia and I didn't own a television, so we made plans to go watch it at Brett's. I'm not lying when I say I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. There were all my Eastside High friends again, ready for a summer full of shenanigans. What?! They all improbably find summer employment at the same country club...owned by Ryan and Sharpay's parents!? (a la the summer episodes of Saved By the Bell). What kind of hilarity will ensue?!? Oh no! Troy and Gabriella are having problems! Troy becomes a jerk and dresses in black. He does everything but slick his hair back, a la Emilio Estevez in the second Mighty Ducks movie. Will he ever see the error of his ways?! Wait...of course he will, right before the next-to-last song and dance number! Damn you Kenny Ortega! You've stolen my heart again.
So when I found out that HSM3 would be a feature film actually released in theatres, I didn't know quite what to think. I didn't see it opening night, because I'm cheap and I only go to dollar movies. But as soon as it came to the dollar theatre I immediately made plans to see it. Last night I finally did, and it did NOT dissappoint. This one was cheesier and more contrived than anything ever put on screen...AND I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF IT! I was with them every step of the way. I felt every emotion, gasped at every plot twist, was wistful and dreamy at Troy and Gabriella's love scenes and yes...I may have cried a little at graduation. I just didn't wanna see these characters go. I've had so many adventures with them! Remember when Troy was just a jock? Remember when he opened up his heart to the music...and the dancing...and to Gabriella? And who DOESN'T want to live in a world where people break out into giant-scale song and dance numbers to punctuate various points in a story arc? I think I'm jealous of the HSM kids. I wish that I went to Eastside High. People there are so pretty, and care about each other, and are so coordinated. I want my life to look more like a Disney musical. And I'm glad that musicals in general have made their way back into the popular culture. Sweeny Todd, HSM 1,2,3, Moulin Rouge, Mama Mia, Dr. Horrible, etc. Some things are just best said in song.
Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
When the first High School Musical movie came out I watched it, really more as a joke than anything, and because I was kinda curious to see what all the buzz was about. I was living with Brett at the time, and so we had it Tivo'ed of course (sorry Brett, had to call you out). So one afternoon out of boredom, I watched it. And admittedly, in a secret place I don't like to talk about, I loved it. Sure it was pure cheese. But I think secretly we ALL love cheese, whether we admit it or not.
HSM1 made a huge splash, and all the stars were Tiger Beat fodder for the next SEVERAL months. We all learned that Zac and Vanessa were an item off screen just as Troy and Gabrielle were onscreen. Twelve year olds everywhere squealed with delight. And secretly so did I. Sure there was that little snafu with Vanessa sending nudie pictures to Zac and having them accidentally intercepted and splashed all over the internet, but honestly, who hasn't had that happen to them? Troy and Gabrielle remained innocent and virginal in my HSM fantasy world.
When the second HSM movie came out it was a huge media blitz. Disney obviously promoted the hell out of it and the world premiere was a big event. Lydia and I didn't own a television, so we made plans to go watch it at Brett's. I'm not lying when I say I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. There were all my Eastside High friends again, ready for a summer full of shenanigans. What?! They all improbably find summer employment at the same country club...owned by Ryan and Sharpay's parents!? (a la the summer episodes of Saved By the Bell). What kind of hilarity will ensue?!? Oh no! Troy and Gabriella are having problems! Troy becomes a jerk and dresses in black. He does everything but slick his hair back, a la Emilio Estevez in the second Mighty Ducks movie. Will he ever see the error of his ways?! Wait...of course he will, right before the next-to-last song and dance number! Damn you Kenny Ortega! You've stolen my heart again.
So when I found out that HSM3 would be a feature film actually released in theatres, I didn't know quite what to think. I didn't see it opening night, because I'm cheap and I only go to dollar movies. But as soon as it came to the dollar theatre I immediately made plans to see it. Last night I finally did, and it did NOT dissappoint. This one was cheesier and more contrived than anything ever put on screen...AND I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF IT! I was with them every step of the way. I felt every emotion, gasped at every plot twist, was wistful and dreamy at Troy and Gabriella's love scenes and yes...I may have cried a little at graduation. I just didn't wanna see these characters go. I've had so many adventures with them! Remember when Troy was just a jock? Remember when he opened up his heart to the music...and the dancing...and to Gabriella? And who DOESN'T want to live in a world where people break out into giant-scale song and dance numbers to punctuate various points in a story arc? I think I'm jealous of the HSM kids. I wish that I went to Eastside High. People there are so pretty, and care about each other, and are so coordinated. I want my life to look more like a Disney musical. And I'm glad that musicals in general have made their way back into the popular culture. Sweeny Todd, HSM 1,2,3, Moulin Rouge, Mama Mia, Dr. Horrible, etc. Some things are just best said in song.
Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.