We're All In This Together

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 their theme parks. Soon you'll be able to catch a brief performance in the daily MGM Studios parade.

This is the story of your typical American high school. While a little sugary and unrealistic in some parts of the story (but that's what movie magic is for, right), these teenagers will take you back to the peer pressure you and I faced when we went through high school. At first, being "different" or showing who you really are is considered taboo by the students, but Troy, the basketball team captain, and Gabriella, a math whiz, help their classmates see it's ok to be yourself. Your real friends should stand up with you when you follow your dreams.

As the title implies, the plot and characters revolve around the East High School's Winter Musicale. (An eccentric drama teacher adds comedy to the film.) Troy and Gabriella meet at a holiday party on vacation and find out they sing well together. Back at school though, Troy the jock is afraid to let his teammates see him try out for the show, while Gabriella is eager to get out of the rut of being considered the "math genius" of the school. Their friends try to interfere when they figure out what's happending, and a little chaos and confusion ensues. But it wouldn't be a Disney movie if it didn't all turn out right in the end.

High school may not have been a fun, musical ride, but this film manages to present a winning soundtrack that our kids really got excited about, while teaching the valuable lesson of being yourself and not giving in to pressure. Corbin Bleu (of "Catch That Kid", etc.) gives a good performance as Troy's best friend, Chad Davenport. Ashley Tisdale plays "Sharpei", an over-the-top girl who wants the lead in the musical more than anything.

Break out the popcorn and have some fun watching this with the kids!