A preteen I was watching for her parents brought this film over. I admit up front that Zac Efron is my guilty pleasure. He reminds me of Tyrone Power (what did David Denby say? "This Jewish hoofer looks like Tyrone Power"). I had never seen any of the High School Musicals. I'm forced to say that for what it was, aimed at kids, I enjoyed it.
"High School Musical 3" is a variation on the "hey, kids, let's put on a show" films done by Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in my mother's day, and I guess in my generation, it would have been the Frankie and Annette type of films. Mickey and Judy, of course, performed classic songs, however, and I'm not implying that anyone can be put up against Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
But like those films, "High School Musical 3" is a total fantasy, filled with big musical numbers, romance, lots of energy, cute kids, good-looking parents, and a high school like none that ever existed. One thing - I was glad to see girls of varying body types and sizes in the film.
Why the story is set in Albuquerque is beyond me; it looked about as much like Albuquerque as Manhattan does.
For me, films like this have to be judged on what they are, not compared with Godfather II. On that basis, I found this a fun film and an entertaining one for teens.
"High School Musical 3" is a variation on the "hey, kids, let's put on a show" films done by Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in my mother's day, and I guess in my generation, it would have been the Frankie and Annette type of films. Mickey and Judy, of course, performed classic songs, however, and I'm not implying that anyone can be put up against Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
But like those films, "High School Musical 3" is a total fantasy, filled with big musical numbers, romance, lots of energy, cute kids, good-looking parents, and a high school like none that ever existed. One thing - I was glad to see girls of varying body types and sizes in the film.
Why the story is set in Albuquerque is beyond me; it looked about as much like Albuquerque as Manhattan does.
For me, films like this have to be judged on what they are, not compared with Godfather II. On that basis, I found this a fun film and an entertaining one for teens.