High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008) User Reviews

Oh, god, I can't believe I'm saying this... I actually had fun... did I just really write that? Maybe I should make a doctor's appointment

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 6/10 · 12 November 2008]

OK, I work at a movie theater and the main thing we've been waiting for is High School Musical 3: Senior Year, we knew it was going to be big, so a few co-workers and I got together for the matinée before all the kids rushed in, it was still packed surprisingly. But I've seen both previous films because my little cousin is just in love with all that pre-teen hoop-la, it's all good, every generation has something so lovey-dovey-cutesee-wootsee type of thing. But one of the things that made this film enjoyable was to see all the kids who were just participating with this film, I mean, I felt like I was in a concert, the kids were clapping with the songs, screaming for their idols, and just having fun, it was cool to see their reactions, to remember a more innocent time of being in love that much with something. But I felt like this was just a cute movie that is getting too much criticism just because it is High School Musical, give it a break and take it for what it is.

The gang is back for their senior year and everything is just perfect, they came up with a great idea for a musical to represent all that they're going through in this exciting year. But there is also a lot of pressure: Zack is facing a tough decision of which college to go to while Gabriella is planning on going to Yale University so far away from him, Sharpay and her brother, Ryan, are competing for a scholarship to Juliard, and Chad and Taylor are learning what to do with the rest of their lives while loosing their best friends to different schools.

Granted High School Musical is never Oscar material, in fact, it's downright like having a soda after school with the hot quarterback or sexy cheerleader, but like I said, it's for the kids. Seeing their reactions to this reminded me and my co-workers of a more innocent time, when I had the same excitement to see Spice World when I was 12 years old. We all had these silly things we loved at a young age and for some reason we become more cynical as we get older criticizing everything that the new generation has, so I'm cutting this movie some slack. It had fun songs, cute characters, silly situations, but great dance numbers and is just over all a nice film for the family. I do recommend it just for the fun of being with the fans and just having a good time, no matter how cheesy it is.

6/10

A Nutshell Review: High School Musical 3

[DICK STEEL · 6/10 · 2 November 2008]

My only exposure to High School Musical was from a chalet gathering last Christmas where a friend who was a fan brought his DVD and shared with us what's there to like from this highly popular franchise. The DVD has countless of versions released to milk its fan base, that I've really lost count just how many variations (Encore? Extended Dance?) there are out there in the market. Even then I didn't really watch High School Musical 2 completely, only zooming into the catchy song and dance numbers, and as for the first movie, I was only familiar with one or two songs that became like anthems for working together?

Anyway I'm not a fan, and the reason why I would have watched this is because Disney decided it was good enough for the big screen. Either that, or they actually did their sums and realize that the huge fanbase would turn up in droves to support it in the cinemas. And I guess they were right, looking at how it opened at #1 at the US Box Office. Is it any good then? For the uninitiated like me, the story's nothing spectacular, as it deals with growing pains of students and decisions that come with the end of high school, having choices presented on where you would want to go next for further studies. This would naturally mean a split amongst established friends as you'll be geographically separated, and temporarily close a chapter in your life.

Central to the story would be the possible insecurities and impending (long term?) split between lovebirds Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vannessa Hudgens) due to the latter's brainier character being accepted by Stanford. In fact just watching this movie alone, I thought Gabriella was the psychologically tougher of the two, with Troy being your typical indecisive jock who's a bit wishy-washy about his own development path ahead. The other subplot would be the usual resident evil Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) and her antics in wanting the limelight all for herself, this time though with her personal assistant thrown into the mix, and having the audience judge who's the biggest bitch out there.

But of course this is Disney, so don't expect too deep a theme to be dwelled upon. It's still fairly light stuff that is meant for enjoyment by kids, and supposedly with wholesome values thrown in too that would meet parental approval. It's fairy tale stuff that would seem like a cop out with its perfectly ideal ending, though some may find such saccharine positivity a refreshing change for once.

The song and dance numbers are wonderfully choreographed, though one can cringe at some of the lyrics for the slower numbers. A pity of course that we don't get to see the centerpiece of the show within the show, and only bits and pieces of the graduation play that the characters designed as something to commemorate their time at East High by. But of course I suspect that this is probably reserved in advance for the DVD release, where you can sit through the entire thing in one sitting.

Really starts to drag.

[nyulacrosse · 4/10 · 27 October 2008]

Wow, this series has worn out its welcome. The first two installments were modest, harmless TV movies with fast-moving stories and some catchy songs. The third time was not the charm.

I must say, either my tastes have gotten much more discriminating or this cast is getting worse with each picture. I find Ashley Tisdale about as screechy and annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard, and she was worse than ever in HSM3. Ditto Corbin Bleu, so cheerful and peppy that it gets a little sickening. All of the "actors" come off like over-eager stage-children, but those two are probably the worst offenders. None of the case- and I mean none- are believable as real, human high school students.

An entertaining film with many flaws but many of them come with the territory and shouldn't be met with too much surprise

[bob the moo · 13 July 2009]

The low score on IMDb is representative of the majority opinion of those that are not really within the target audience of this film, however it is also the opinion of those who have never watched any of the High School Musical films for themselves. Rather than accepting that the film is not for them they also feel the need to deride it as worthless when really they mean that nothing about it holds any value for them. This is not the same as the HSM films being brilliant though – just I think that they come in for some overly harsh criticism by those that seem surprised that they do exactly what they propose to do. In a way it is like complaining that Star Wars is an awful film because it is a sci-fi.

OK, there is plenty wrong with HSM3. The plot is obvious but yet full of sanitised relationships and situations, cloying moral messages and forced sentiment and certainly if you are watching it as a film then yes there is plenty that is clunky. However it is probably not fair to pick holes in all of the obvious stuff while ignoring that it does actually do a good job as a musical. Have you been to a musical? It tends to bring cheesy overacting, big smiles, easy sentiment, big musical numbers and not a lot of room for gritty reality of teenage life and the messy business of teenage relationships – that HSM3 has all these faults is not really something that I'm going to kick it about. It is a bit overlong though and, at almost two hours it does have sections that appear to have little forward motion and perhaps lack pace or a sense of fun that it does when it is in good form. It could and should have lost at least 20 minutes in there somewhere and would have been better for it – although I know that Disney see it as a flagship product recently so want to do more with it. It must also be said that several of the musical numbers are not as fun as they should have been. Some don't inspire in terms of choreography and several of the songs come over as rather bland and samey.

The cast do well, although I understand why some viewers do not like the performances. Efron may not have a great range to expand out of this but he is a great presence in the film – he does singing and dancing really well and has a light touch that makes him easy to like. Likewise Hudgens, for all her photographic "scandals" delivers a wonderfully light turn that is nothing but sweetness. OK neither of them come over as real people but they are sweet and enjoyable couple at the heart of the film. As before Tisdale is fun and bitchy without being unlikeable and she works well with Grabeel. Bleu has less to do than before and I didn't think he was used that well – likewise Coleman.

Overall HSM3 is far from a great film. It is clunky and obvious, overlong, cheesy and is not the sort of thing that will win over viewers who do not like cheesy musicals – but it is a bit harsh to blame that on the film when it is pretty clear from the start that this is what it is setting out to be. It should not be given total forgiveness for its flaws and of course the casual viewer may be left a bit cold by aspects of it but if you are happy to meet it on its terms then it is a reasonably good (if sanitised and soullessly packaged) product.

The stuff anorexia and high school massacres are made of.

[laupedersen85 · 2/10 · 9 November 2008]

I haven't seen the first nor the second film, but with films like Dirty Dancing, Footloose, even Grease in the back of my mind, it makes High School Musical 3 look like a propaganda film made by reactionary parents and the U.S. Department of Education. The film has been clinically cleansed of losers or people who are a bit unusual; and it's a great example of a pedagogical motivation-form based on fear. Fear of defeat; fear of inadequacy; fear of humiliation. There is no room for mediocrity or small ambitions; so straighten up while you are young and go to school, and "allow yourself to be great" as it says in the film This is the stuff anorexia and high-school massacres are made of. High School Musical makes me think of what one of the creators of South Park, Matt Stone, said about the American school system: "They scare you into conforming. If you're a loser now, you're gonna be a loser forever." High School Musical preaches that every moment is crucial for the rest of your life. And this is a 'wonderful' achievement pressure to put on children and adolescents. Let's take a few quotes to understand the rhetoric. In the changing room the coach says: "Make this moment last". Prom night is "A night to live forever", so one must hope one has a date that night. "This is our last chance to get it right", "This is our last chance to make our mark", "History will know who we are," etc.. This is the pupils last chance to write themselves into history; and they are just 17 years old.

Children and adolescents may be what they want to be, as long as the result of their efforts is, in one form or another, of absolute greatness; so the film tells us.

Rolecomposition is cleverly put together, so that the largest minorities with the highest purchasing power are represented: Blacks and Hispanics. It is, so to speak, uncontroversial and thoroughly tested minorities. Chinese and Indians are there however non of; those 'strange' minorities who uses ginger in their cooking.

You can of course choose to shrug your shoulders over a film such as High School Musical and think: "Oh, how kitsch and fun in a 'Beverly Hills 90210'-kind of way", but I don't think it's unimportant what we teach our children. I am not so concerned about the Danish children exposed to High School Musical. We have a strong Danish television and children's films tradition to counterbalance and tell the children that it is totally okay to fail. But I am nervous on behalf of American children. Because if this is an expression of a dominant American pedagogy, it is not the last time they will see a pupil formulate his or hers feelings of defeat with an automatic riffle. One can write oneself into history in several ways.

High School Musical gets 1 of 6 stars for trace amounts of enthusiasm in dance scenes and for references to better films.

:::This was a transcript written down and translated by me, Lau Pedersen, of Mikkel Munch-Fals, DR2, PREMIERE. I have their written consent to post this. DR2 is not affiliated with this post.:::

An illusional world created for those who are far away from reality

[Iman_is3 · 2/10 · 26 October 2008]

Once again thousands of people from all over the world ( mostly teenagers ) are going to watch this movie which lacks deeply in acting, writing and directing. This is a movie that uses colors, "songs", perfect conditions of living, schooling, clothing and illusional relationships that are so IMAGINARY to attract audiences as much as possible . Moreover, there is no school, no condition of life like this. Gettign everything you want and do whatever you wanna do. For me as a teenager is so sad and devastating to witness that the characters of this movie have become the role models of open minded individuals as teenagers, and starting to close their perspective of seeing life with delusions. Once again thanks to Disney cooperation for what it has done it to make money from fooling people by pretty and fancy deceptions.

No--it's not great but it is full of energy and life

[preppy-3 · 7/10 · 10 November 2008]

Sequel to the TV movies "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2" (neither of which I saw). A bunch of friends are getting ready to graduate from high school. There's Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) the school basketball champ who secretly wants to sing and dance. There's his girlfriend--sweet, squeaky clean Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) who is going to a college that is far away from Troy. Then there's Troy's best bud Chad (Corbin Bleu) who doesn't want high school to end. Then there's the evil Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) who wants Gabriella's part in the school play.

The script is horrendous. I laughed out loud at a few of the dumber lines and was constantly either rolling my eyes or smirking at the plot developments. However, I'm not the target audience for this--I'm a 46 year old guy. I saw it cause I love musicals and this has gotten raves from the critics. It's pretty obvious they're not cheering on the ridiculous plot but the musical numbers. They come out of nowhere but they're full of energy and life. They're also beautifully choreographed and some are really eye-popping. The whole cast can sing and dance and give their all to every single song. "The Boys Are Back" number between Chad and Troy is a true show-stopper. None of these songs will become classics but they're good enough. This is a musical aimed squarely at teenagers and pre-teens. The language is very clean (the G rating should tell you that), all the teens look clean and fresh, all the plots are predictable and family friendly and the whole cast goes at this full blast. This is truly a movie that the whole family can watch. A lot of people are jeering at this movie (notice the poor rating it has) but why? It's just an update of those stupid Beach Party movies of the 1960s. It's no masterpiece musical but it's fun, friendly and full of energy. I give it a 7.

Worst of the 3

[matthewssilverhammer · 3/10 · 10 June 2020]

Disney obviously spent a bit more money to make this fit on the big screen, but it doesn't matter. Devoid of purpose and lacking the bubbly choreography that the second entry brought in, the higher budget doesn't keep it from being the worst of the 3...and that's saying something.

awesome

[kingston-jack77 · 10/10 · 29 November 2008]

now i liked the first one disliked the second one and loved the third one. this was much better than the first two. the film was a real musical. the film had a amazing beginning sequence. the film was way more dramatic than the first two. the film was spectacular to see in theaters. it was a real treat. it had better music sequences and songs like: the boys are back, may i have this dance, right here right now, i want it all, high school musical,and a night to remember. the film had a really good moral and plot. i loved this film. the good bie song "high school musical," was a good song. the main word were "high school musical, who says we have to let it go. high school musical celebrate were we come from." the film deserved the 10 out of 10 i gave it. it is also completely kid appropriate.

One for the fans...ONLY!

[SophomoreSlump · 7/10 · 29 October 2008]

The thing about the High School Musical franchise is that you either love it or hate it. Ever since the first movie, it has always been like that. I, for one, will now be standing in the middle because I will review this film unbiasedly. I've to say, the movie was fun to watch. It has a very simple storyline, which was made complicated later on in the movie. The characters whom are now in their senior years has to choose where they have to go after they finished high school. This is the story about their hope and fears and choices they have to make. Simple enough...

What amazes me is the dance numbers which had me completely blown away. It was choreographed so sophisticatedly and so beautifully that it will leave the audience enthralled. From a simple waltz during the rooftop scene to a very complicated-sorta-breakdance in the junkyard scene. I give my applause to the choreographers and the dancers. Well done!

The songs, I've to say, are good and most are very catchy and fun to listen to. The lyrics have matured. They are mostly better than the songs from High School Musical and its sequel High School Musical 2. The lead singer of each songs sings the song greatly. My compliment to Efron for his rough and edgy voice and Grabeel for some nice and melodic pitch. Although I'm not quite fond with Hudgen's nasal high-pitch voice.

One thing that I'm not happy with this movie is the fact that most of the musical numbers and songs are performance scene. Whether they're rehearsing the play or the play itself. In a true musical the dancing and singing are the way the characters express their feeling or just a way they talk. It is apart of the story, the dialogue. But in HSM, some of it are performance scene. For example, the prom scene is actually the rehearsal of the actual play. This slightly takes away the musical feel to it.

A bit of a warning though. This movie is made FOR THE FANS ONLY. If you're not a fan, you might want to start with the first HSM and work it up or just stay away from the franchise. Because, if you're not a fan, you might find some of the scenes quite cheesy. From some of the dialogues, to the ending where the camera focuses on the characters' faces before the big red curtain closed, even the last song (entitled "High School Musical") during the graduation is slightly cheesy.

Other than that, I'd say it is a great movie for all ages, especially the young ones. And it is a great family movie if you want some times to relax from the rough actions and romance or even politics of Hollywood.

The songs and the dance moves will keep you glued to the screen.

Wonderful movie for children and their parents.

[soonersublime · 3/10 · 26 October 2008]

I haven't seen the first two movies, however I have been to the HSM on Ice w/ my children and enjoyed that. Today my wife and I decided to fulfill our promise to our daughter and take our children to the movies to see this wonderful movie. The status quo is truly destroyed in this movie. It is a wonderful movie for preteen kids to prepare them for the rigors of junior high through high school. It has an enchanting story that moves smoothly through to the end. It is a truly enjoyable movie for the kid in me and makes me wish I had the ability to grow up again. I recommend it to anyone of any age. It will leave you with a smile and maybe a tear.

Let Kids Be Kids!

[mamamia126 · 8/10 · 19 November 2008]

Okay, I am 100% completely for the High School Musical franchise! Have you noticed that the majority of people who have something derogatory to say about the series are 15+. Well, duh! You were young once too and no one constantly dissed the Lion King or Cinderella or Rugrats or whatever your "show" was as a naive, innocent kid. Lions don't talk or dance or sing, there are no such things as "fairy god mothers" and talking mice, and babies don't have imaginary worlds where they can talk in front of adults, yet no one hears them. What do you want Disney to do: turn High School Musical into a movie about kids who are sexually active backstage and smoke weed after rehearsals? There's nothing wrong with a nice, innocent, family movie, people! If Disney turned High School Musical into that, you'd be complaining WAY more, trust me! And yes, High School Musical may be like a fantasy high school world that we all WISH could exist, but it's not destroying the kids' brain cells or anything. Once they get to that certain age level, they'll realize that the "perfect, happy, HSM life" was all an illusional element created because it's Disney. So chill.

If you went in with that perspective, you'd see that High School Musical 3 was pretty enjoyable and that HSM actually has underlying themes that good do the kids some good! The songs were actually cool and different and were fun to sing along to. It's also sad watching the Wildcats grow up if you're really a fan---they're hearts can't seem to tear away from East High. Oh, and Zac Efron isn't too hard to look at either! Take your kids and have a NICE, innocent, enjoyable, afternoon at the movies to see this!

Take it for what it is

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 10 July 2010]

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.

Let's see...terrible acting, bad plot, and no storyline at all? It's another musical alright!

[Blaise_Tearson · 1/10 · 27 October 2008]

Right, one thing to say out of the starting gate that's going to prepare those who are going to dig through this article and wonder why I gave it such a low score with all the dancing and the singing and the so on: I hate musicals. There have been 3 that I can recall at this moment that have proved otherwise, those being The Producers, My Fair Lady (Yes, My Fair Lady), and Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog.

The problem with most musicals is that, while you can say what ever about how great or amazing the dance numbers are, the acting is atrocious, and so is the plot, the dialogue, and the delivery is awful.

"But...", you might be thinking to yourself, "You don't go to see a musical for any of that! You go for the dancing and the music!" And that's where your mouth is overflowing with so much lie, you could vomit out soap. If I wanted good dancing and music, I'd go to a dance hall. Or watch a dancing competition. I got to the movies to see...oh, wait it's slipped my mind-no, wait! That's right! A movie! I go to be entertained and see a riveting plot, witty and rightly paced dialogue, believable characters, and an all around good show.

"But..." again you retort, finding some vast flaw in my argument, "What about action movies or comedies that also lack the same substance?" They too are terrible. A good movie, no matter its genre, must be adequately stocked in all areas so when consumers come asking to be fed, they don't wind up with only bread, lettuce, and condiments because the stupid tart who runs the place forgot the MEAT for the delicious burger that is a good movie.

So, to wrap this up: If you will willingly swallow anything because it has music and good looking white kids (the black kids in this movie act whiter than me, and I drink earl grey tea and think golf is the bee's knees) dancing like monkeys on crack, then you'll gobble it down quicker than a fat man will a hoagie. If you're looking for a good MOVIE, give this a skip.

The tween cheese-fest returns for a threequel ... cause Disney want more money.

[fantasyescapist · 23 October 2008]

It's funny to think that this time two years ago, I had no idea what HSM was, but now it's everywhere - it's marketed to death with pretty much every possible item you could want bearing the toothy grins of the cast jumping in the air. Main reason I watched the first and second on the telly over Christmas and Easter respectively? Go and ask my nine soon-to-be ten family friend's daughter, who always asks if I've seen it. Yep, you guessed it, she's a big fan.

So, since the first was such a success thanks to those under 12(who probably in secret, rule the world), Disney milk the cash cow for the last few drops and bring out another one.

Possibly, the only one in the cast that can act with a shred of conviction, given the superficiality of the material is Efron. And no, I don't harbour a fancying towards him, it just seems the other cast members are either too OTT and annoying(Sharpay, Tiara the new London schoolgirl transfer, Jimmy etc) or come across as unconvincingly with their 'cute' personals (Hudgens especially).

And I can't nor do I even imagine I can speak for everyone, but there were too many 'pass me the bucket, I'm going to throw up' romantic moments with Troy and Gabriella that were so saccharine they could cause diabetes(and they get most of the songs). The first one had less of these moments and was better for it(although I'm not claiming any one of these films is very good, as I don't think they are).

The cinematography has such bright, bold colours with the trademark red and white that near the end I was hoping maybe the sunny attitude the clothing has would be turned down a notch. The Barbie pink wardrobe adorned by Sharpay may suit the character, but still looks ridiculous - I hope no ones getting ideas to copy this look in their hoards ....

Now or Never is my fave song (can't get it out of my head, just like how We're All in This Together(which gets a slower arrangement for the colourful graduation in this film) and What Time is It? were my faves of the first and second films respectively. As mentioned before, I'm not keen on the ballads shared by Troy and Gabriella. Another song I liked was the I Want it All and the dream stage scenes with the song, I laughed at the boyband pop-video wannabe that was Boys Are Back. Anytime a song begins to play and the cast start to sing, I can help but laugh unintentionally - it's obviously, all very cheesy.

Overall: It's not everyday you see a group of young kids under seven all dancing around near the big screen itself near the front in the cinema when the film ends or slapping their hands on their thighs in time with the music for one of the last songs, High School Musical. I even saw some jumping around, pretending to do the moves show in some of the musical numbers!

It's squeaky clean and about as deep as a puddle, yet who am I to cast the first stone for something harmless children enjoy, as I had my moments aged 8-10 when I loved something equally as cheesy - Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers anyone? The plot hardly has a chance to get into depth, even if it wanted to though with more than ten songs to squeeze in (and some references to other musicals with the big stage set pieces), so when it does start with the drama it all seems contrived and I wanted a catchy song to bop my head to.

Yes, it's a guilty pleasure of mine, and yes, the opening is cringe-worthy with a close-up of a sweaty Efron in grimace playing basketball as are some other scenes, but in terms of feel good throwaway entertainment it works alright. Don't go in expecting hilarity as it only has a handful of mildly amusing and one laugh-out-loud funny moments with Jimmy near the end(not including my unintentional giggles). Oh and stay behind a few minutes for some few bloopers.

Nothing brilliant and this definitely doesn't top Grease which I think still portrays high school a bit more realistically (and with better songs to me), but I don't strongly dislike this nor would you catch any of the merchandise or even the DVDs in my room, never mind my home. It's a cheesy craze that's having it's time, so let the kids enjoy it for it's inoffensive happy persona. And ... Go wildcats! But please, let it end with the hats being thrown in the air - no more sequels Disney! Aren't the houses of your execs big enough?!

Why?

[flymikemalone · 1/10 · 19 November 2008]

Why does this movie exist? Why is there a series of High School Musical movies at all? They are nothing like real high school musical productions and in fact the way they present high school is nothing like high school is actually like at all! No sex, no swearing, no drugs, no alcohol, no real problems at all. Boo hoo these poor kids! What kind of ultra rich fantasy world is this where they can afford such high production values? The songs are all bland and awful. The performers are at least a little talented (most of them anyway) but nothing special and most are only in it obviously because they have a certain look or maybe know someone or maybe their parents do. The High School Musical movies are all bland and totally pointless.

2 Stars is a gift - please read on

[ihatecrust · 2/10 · 9 November 2008]

My first experience with High School Musical was in 7th grade. What I'd thought would be a cheesy, stupid, lackluster film ended up being a cheesy, stupid, funny, and ENJOYABLE film. The sequel was even BETTER, so when I heard there would be a 3rd one, I had hope.

Too bad it was the most awful piece of garbage I'd ever had to watch.

It seems like some of the most memorable characters (Chad, Ryan, Kelsi, even Sharpay) were forced to sit on the sidelines as the fans prepared for an all out Troy-and-Gabriella worship. The premise was utterly nauseating. Troy, not wanting to leave his adoring girlfriend, can't decide between playing basketball at U of A, or studying theater at Juillard. His fellow seniors decide to make a musical describing their perfect senior year, including a memorable scene about the perfect prom.

However, all girls who had hoped to see Gabriella's beautiful prom dress will be disappointed: Gabriella misses prom in order to spend a week at Stanford, so Troy flies 1000 miles to spend Prom Night with her. At the end, he forsakes both U of A and Juillard to go to Berklee to be close to Gabriella. That shows a lack of maturity and possibly a need to control everything. The music wasn't even that great; all the songs sort of ran together after a little while. The only songs I can even remember liking were "I Want It All" (which had a rather disturbing interlude that seemed a little inappropriate for a G-rated movie) and "The Boys Are Back" (an over-the-top, wanna-be macho performance).

The "new" characters were even more annoying than their predecessors. Tiara, the British girl, came all the way from London to do this movie, but her mediocre singing voice didn't make it seem worth it. Jimmie Zara was mainly there for comic relief, but his infatuation with Troy grossed me out. The black kid (whose name no one can remember) had no more than 5 lines, so his presence didn't seem necessary.

Save your money. Go watch a different movie. HSM 3 is not worth your time.

Go Wildcats

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 31 October 2008]

Never let it be said at the Magic Kingdom that they miss an opportunity to make that extra buck. For the final version of High School Musical, the Disney crowd released it to the theater instead of television. The decision was a no-brainer, the various road company High School Musical performers have been doing great business wherever they appeared including my home city. And certainly the box office for High School Musical 3 has justified this decision.

But this is the end for this particular class, the six stars are already way too old for High School Musical 3, we've got to graduate them. In the cast are the new people getting ready to take over for Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Ashley Tisdale, and Lucas Grabeel.

They are going out with style however and the plot such as it is has the cool kids from East High competing for a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music. Two representatives from Julliard will be at the senior show to award a scholarship and you already know that scheming Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) is going to do whatever it takes to get that scholarship.

In fact Tisdale's quest for the scholarship sets her up with an All About Eve twist in this plot. Jemma McKenzie-Brown plays a new girl from London who attachs herself to Tisdale. Now if any of the teen crowd that likes the High School Musical reads this review and decides to check out All About Eve, I will have done my job.

In fact the eventual decision of the judges is quite a good one and to appreciate it you would have had to see all three films.

High School Musical 3 is an appealing film as the others are, but it creates an incredible fantasy world which I can tell you didn't exist when I went to high school lo these many years ago. And supposedly we're far more sophisticated now and like realism in our cinema.

But those who've followed the series, see the original Wildcats one more time.

hsm3

[SuperNoob3000 · 2/10 · 28 October 2008]

I am a 17 year old guy..and Im proud to say I loved the HSM series..

number 1 was good, and number 2 I have watched over 50 times, I can honestly say I am one of the biggest HSM fans out there...until I saw number 3.

Its not even the fact that the plot wasn't that great, and its not even the fact that the new actors could not act to save their lives.

For me, it was the fact that none of the songs were those fast, catchy songs we're used to seeing. OK maybe 2 were pretty ight, but other than that just a bunch of slow, depressing, and useless songs not worth the 13 bucks i paid at the door..I for one was not a big fan of this film...and i will surly not waste my time on number 4

so everyone, do yourself a favour and stop paying to support these movies, maybe they will stop making them

Perfect ending.

[pineapple_lollies · 9/10 · 30 January 2009]

The lights dimmed and the children became quiet. With a theatre packed with children aged under 10 years of age i could sense the excitement as the much long awaited High School Musical 3: Senior Year was about to come on screen.

The screen lit up and there it was. The face of Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) sweating from ear to ear. The movie had begun. I squealed like a two year old when i first saw his face. Believe it or not but i had been waiting several months for this movie to come out. The night before i had hardly slept as i was just too excited.

In all honesty, this movie blew me away. It really took my expectations out of the water. For a cinema release the actors had to step it up so much more from the first and second movies and they did exactly that.

Each dance number had amazing choreography and lots of glitz and glamour. The story was beautiful and in some parts it almost had me in tears.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year was nothing but an amazing entertaining and fun loving film for the children and even teenagers to love. It was not made to win any Oscars or make history, it was made to entertain and it just did that. I don't understand the people who criticize this movie. It may not be something you're going to enjoy but sure as hell the little one's are going to love it.

People say it's unrealistic, that no high school is this perfect. Which is true but why criticize this movie for stepping out of the boundaries and letting people's imaginations run wild for a couple of hours. The story was touching, the songs were beautiful and the actors really tried their hardest and as the words High School Musical came down and the six main characters jumped in the air for the last few seconds of the final song and movie i couldn't help but wipe a tear from my face.

A perfect ending to the High School Musical trilogy and i thank them for bringing something new in to the lives of younger children for the first time in a long time. High School Musical 3: Senior Year had me wishing that my life could feel just like a musical.

Good, but this series should be laid to rest now...

[A_Random_Guy_22 · 6/10 · 22 October 2008]

I was sorta/kinda excited for this. I thought the first two were pretty good for what they were. But since this was the first big screen outing, I saw it surrounded by tons of screaming girls. Every time Zac's face appeared, I covered my ears because I knew what was coming.

Moving on, the movie was pretty good. Probably on par with the original. The second beats both of them by a hair, though. Most of the songs were slow ballads sung by Troy and Gabriella. I didn't like that. I wanted to tap my foot to something! Thankfully, I was able to do that to Sharpay and Ryan's "I Want it All" which was in the same vein as "Fabulous" which I also loved.

Now, a little rant. I hated Tiara Gold. Her character was completely pointless as was Jimmie Zara's. They were both annoying and brought nothing to the story.

Overall, HSM3 was pretty decent for a threequel. But, I don't want another one. Disney's milking this thing too much now.

what a horribly cloying retread

[beckyqoc-2 · 1/10 · 28 October 2008]

i absolutely LOVED the first two HSM movies. this was absolutely atrocious and far below the bar they had set with the two previous made-for-TV flicks. ALL the songs sounded like songs from the previous two movies and many scenes felt like shot-for shot/line-for-line remakes. it was really, really awful. i was seriously tempted to ask for my money back, it was that bad...and i've never even considered asking for a refund at a movie before in my life. plus, it was practically an 'opera' in that there was almost no spoken dialogue. it was just musical number to musical number to musical number. a very sickening...and expensive...deja vu. avoid this as if it were the plague.

and, if the three new characters they debuted are what they're planning on hanging the future of the 'franchise' on, it's over. ick.

UNFAIR. This is a really good film for what it is. A MUSICAL!

[gabriellhtj · 10/10 · 21 December 2021]

Why in all the nine circles of hell is this rated 4.9? HOW? It's literally the best in the franchise and the other two are also great. So what if it's a bit cheesy? These are musicals, people. Musicals for teens in High School about teens in High School. What the hell do y'all expect? It's fun, it's light, it's heart-warming. If you're reading this and are having doubts about watching because of the low rating, please, try not to care about that. Just watch, sing along, dance around, root for Troy and Gabriella's love and you'll have a ball!

decent for what it is

[wabus44 · 7/10 · 3 December 2008]

OK, I am not a big High School Musical fan. When I first heard the songs my kids were playing the CD on a trip and I banned it after awhile. I sat through the first and second movies on Disney Channel, not exactly thrilled. My wife was to take the kids today, as it just opened here in New Zealand. At the last minute I got the honor of escort.

I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it is a silly plot, high school was never like this, and the characters are more archetypes then real. My response is...so what. Films should be judged from the context in which they are presented. This is presented as a song and dance musical that children can enjoy. From that context, the filmmakers did a good job. The transition to the big screen was well thought out and planned. My girls enjoyed it, and were singing the songs. To me, that says it all. I think people are way to cynical and polarized these days. There is no way that this film should receive so many one star votes if people were voting objectively. It seems that unless people are being trashed, or some kind of drugs, sex etc. is presented as the REAL high school experience, then the movie is worthless. It is a sad comment on society if good natured fun is considered a bad thing that should be derided. High School Musical is not my world, nor is it the world my children live in. It is, however,a place where those experiencing it can put aside their cynicism for a couple hours.

a quick review of hsm3

[millard_s · 1/10 · 26 October 2008]

well....what can i say. didn't expect much and didn't get much! my daughter who likes the first 2 movies, fidgeted all the way thru it. i drew the shortest straw with my wife when we decided who was going to take her. this movie is one of the worst i have ever sat thru....and I've seen showgirls! unbelievable plot strings, a school full of "the beautiful people"...just total dross. even my daughter said she didn't like it. lets hope Disney don't make another, but they probably will. as long as there are young kids willing to waste their money on this rubbish, they will keep churning them out. the songs, too, were instantly forgettable, i cant recall a line or melody from a single one of them! my new worst movie of all time!