High School Musical Sample!

[RoninFox]

Were these movies ever in theaters, or were they direct to TV?

According to Wikipedia the third one was a theatrical release, but not the first two.

More proof that everything about this series is wrong.  You're supposed to start in theaters and as things get worse and extra lame end up going direct to video.

[PlayMSTie]

That looks hilarious, but I'm a bit disappointed that Disembaudio isn't singing along with all the songs. I had such hopes.

[Edward J Grug III]

That looks hilarious, but I'm a bit disappointed that Disembaudio isn't singing along with all the songs. I had such hopes.

Dis not singing along with all of the songs is my favourite thing about the sample.

[Darth Geek]

I'm sure they'll have Dis singing at some point, since it's become like a running gag. But to do it for long stretches of time throughout the movie would just be way too much.

[Scribblesense]

Were these movies ever in theaters, or were they direct to TV?

According to Wikipedia the third one was a theatrical release, but not the first two.

More proof that everything about this series is wrong.  You're supposed to start in theaters and as things get worse and extra lame end up going direct to video.

Not if you're Disney and have eighty different TV channels to hawk your factory-produced pop stars on.

Seriously, they come up with new "Disney Channel Original Movies" about every month. And pretty much every commercial is just a promotion for whatever Disney movie they're coming up with next.

[Plastic Self-Cleaning Duck]

Were these movies ever in theaters, or were they direct to TV?

According to Wikipedia the third one was a theatrical release, but not the first two.

More proof that everything about this series is wrong.  You're supposed to start in theaters and as things get worse and extra lame end up going direct to video.

Not if you're Disney and have eighty different TV channels to hawk your factory-produced pop stars on.

Seriously, they come up with new "Disney Channel Original Movies" about every month. And pretty much every commercial is just a promotion for whatever Disney movie they're coming up with next.

Think it shows that even Disney didn't think this pablum was going to get as popular as it became.  Must have thought it was good enough to take up some time on their channel but not worth the cost of producing prints and promoting it....

That looks.....so......terminally bland.

[Darth Geek]

I can only imagine that it gets even worse in the sequels, once there is the sense that it is "like, the best thing since EVER". 

[doctorhu]

Oh, Netflix recommendations.

"Due to your interest in Crossroads and High School Musical we think you'll enjoy removing yourself from the gene pool."

(Okay, it didn't actually say that, but that's what the recommendations feel like)

[Kete]

Oh, Netflix recommendations.

"Due to your interest in Crossroads and High School Musical we think you'll enjoy removing yourself from the gene pool."

(Okay, it didn't actually say that, but that's what the recommendations feel like)

[PlayMSTie]

Oh, Netflix recommendations.

"Due to your interest in Crossroads and High School Musical we think you'll enjoy removing yourself from the gene pool."

(Okay, it didn't actually say that, but that's what the recommendations feel like)

[Scribblesense]

I can only imagine that it gets even worse in the sequels, once there is the sense that it is "like, the best thing since EVER". 

Well, the production values go up steadily. They're able to afford more elaborate sets and develop more elaborate song/dance numbers as it became more popular (somewhat apparent in the second film and since the third is a theatrical release the budget probably skyrocketed).

The director, Kenny Ortega, isn't bad at what he does, either. I feel he was responsible for the film's success (so yeah, he's the one to blame) in that he has some talent but it could be put to better use. He also directed This Is It (the Michael Jackson documentary that went from direct-to-DVD to Theaters after his death) which I've never actually seen but have heard is passable (despite its overplayed subject matter).

But honestly, no amount of money and not the greatest director in the world can make up for the fact that it's a musical about High School. About shallow and spoiled High School kids with limited acting experience (Zac Efron once played young Simon Tam in Firefly! But that doesn't count for much).

And they're singing. About. Every. Thing. And they won't. Shut. Up.

So, yeah, unless you're into that sort of thing, it isn't enjoyable.

[Darth Geek]

Ortega directed this?!

[mattwnelson]

Oh, Netflix recommendations.

"Due to your interest in Crossroads and High School Musical we think you'll enjoy removing yourself from the gene pool."

(Okay, it didn't actually say that, but that's what the recommendations feel like)

DOUBLE   

[Moca Java]

I feel so unclean just watching that sample. I don't know if I can make it through the entire movie but damn it,  I will try! 

[RVR II]

I had this POS reauthored by 4pm EST today ready to watch but I still haven't brought myself to be able to watch it yet; not even the sample