Elementary School Heaven

The hype leading up to this movie was unbelievable. My girls, 5 and 8 before this pemiered on the Disney Channel, knew the songs, dances, and characters by the day it debuted. If Disney knows anything, it's how to market. Thankfully, this was a movie I didn't mind watching 2 million times, or listening to the soundtrack every time we got in the car.

The story is simple- a childish version of Romeo and Juliet, a would-be couple that can't be together because of their stations, not in life, but in high school. Troy Bolton, played by the then new-comer Zack Ephron, is a jock, comes from an unbroken, financially set home, with a high-pressure basket ball coach for a father. Gabriella Montez, played by Vanessa Hudgens, with the looks and shape of a teenage model, is nevertheless a Mathlete, but with a secret desire to sing. Her only problem is that she's scared to sing in public.

Troy and Gabriella meet during winter break, unexpectedly find themselves performing karaoke together, and the sparks fly. Somehow, Troy helps Gabriella calm down enough to sing in public. Then they part, with no idea they will meet again when school resumes, ala Grease, as Gabriella's single mother is coincidentally transferred to Troy's school district. The teens are happy to be reunited, but Sharpay Evans, played by Ashley Tisdale and who wants Troy for herself, and their friends, have other ideas.

Of course, being a Disney movie, after several misunderstandings, trials and tribulations, and, of course, many entertaining songs and dances, Troy and Gabriella become a couple, and all of the other main characters pair off for a truly happily ever after ending.

As an adult, this movie is formulaic and predictable. But this movie wasn't produced for the soccer mom set. Both of my girls were spellbound by the songs and dances, to the point where they felt compelled to learn them all and constantly perform them. While I'm not entirely sure high school age children will actually enjoy this, this movie was THE biggest hit among the Pre-K through 5th grade, taking even the teachers by surprise with its broad level of popularity.

The dancing is pretty unique, director Kenny Ortega incorporating dance moves with basketballs in Get Your Head in the Game, and I really liked the fact that one of the main girls in the chorus of dancers and singers was a large chubby girl. While perhaps some of the lip synching was off, and some of the acting was not Actor's Workshop quality, my kids didn't notice. They were enthralled with the story, already romantics at a young age, and were outraged at Sharpay's behavior, particularly since they both kept insisting she was so nice as Maddie on Zack and Cody.

While I can criticize aspects of this movie as an adult, I am not the intended viewer. The movie is for the younger set, who judge the value of entertainment differently than adults, and who could do a lot worse for what is probably their first musical. All in all, a good movie for its target audience.