High School Musical 2
I know, I can't believe it either... it's taken me a full summer in quarantine before this rewatch took place. Right here, right now, I'm ready to get my head in the game and work this out because it's now or never and we're all in this together!! If you didn't understand the myriad of references I just packed into that grammatically questionable sentence, then you're also due for a HSM rewatch!
We're back at East High (but not for long), as we slowly revisit all the iconic scenes from the first movie. What will we do without the gym? The cafeteria? The auditorium?
It shouldn't be lost on audience members that Zeek is literally wearing a dunce cap right now.
Do we know why Zac Efron has this shorter, darker hair cut? Anyone? Out of all his HSM looks, this is the worst one.
I'm not sure if you were tracking the behind-the-scenes of High School Musical 2 as closely as I was when this movie came out in 2007, but I distinctly remember reading many articles about Zac Efron's singing voice ACTUALLY being used in the second movie. In the first movie, he doesn't do most of his own songs, which led to me having to defend his talent to my brother who mocked Zac Efron constantly. As you can see from the first few lines of What Time is It?, Zac has a lovely voice!! Disney was trying to pull a Little Mermaid and steal it.
This song should be played constantly in the summer months. It is full of joy.
Corbin Bleu giving us a sneak peek at the dance moves that will take him to Broadway in a few years...
I'm sorry but WHO told Zac Efron to slide on the floor at the end of that song like a damn seal?
"My parents are going to match whatever I make this summer." OKAY WHAT. That is a sweet deal.
Marissa should stop complaining about babysitting -- it's a surefire way to make more money than all of her friends and you don't have to worry about taxes. These teens don't know how hard it is in the real world!!!
Troy's summer plans: "We can go to the movies. Download music. And I'm definitely teaching you a twisted flip on the skateboard." Snooze... Gabriela, run!!!
I feel like all of this dialogue at the school was created because the actors came in with these big ideas about "their characters" and the screenwriters had to appease them... because it's not great.
Do Sharpay and Ryan's parents OWN the country club or are they just members? Why do they have free reign? Why is their family portrait in the lobby? The Evans family is like a watered down version of the Rose family before they move to Schitt's Creek.
Ashley Tisdale just eats this role up. Sharpay is delightfully over-the-top and Fabulous is a great showcase.
Okay I guess her parents do own the country club? That makes slightly more sense. And why are these students so shocked that they actually have job responsibilities? These are perfectly tailored to their talents and they're all upset. Kelsey, you have to play the piano. Taylor, you have to organize things. Zeek is still excited because his parents are doubling his $$$.
Ah yes, the long delayed Troy/Gabriela kiss.. FOILED AGAIN. Looks like we'll have to wait until the literally end of the movie because Disney is trying to pretend like their teenage characters are more chaste than cartoon characters, who always manage to kiss by the end of the movie.
I'm a sucker for a Troy/Gabriella duet, and You are the Music in Me is one of my favorites.
Golden Throat and Jazz Square are some A+ codenames for Sharpay and Ryan.
It's honestly a shame they couldn't stunt cast Sharpay/Ryan's parents. This helicopter reveal of their father would have hit better.
Sharpay is literally wearing a tiara in this golfing scene.
Okay, everyone needs to give Troy a break. He didn't forget about his dinner date; he was dragged against his will to this other dinner. This is like the Devil Wears Prada when all of Andy's friends get mad at her for doing her job.
It's important to note that the Disney+ version of HSM2 includes the deleted song, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, which was deleted because it makes ZERO sense. This is hard to watch. Ryan/Sharpay have taste... they wouldn't think this is a good talent show performance. I skipped the final 45 seconds of the song, because I couldn't take it anymore.
Troy's dad ALWAYS gives bad advice and doesn't actually listen to his son.
Troy is just SO MUCH SHORTER than these college basketball players that it's honestly laughable.
Alright, Troy asking Chad to change the cheese on his burger... unacceptable. A step too far!! He's changed!! Andy never did that in Prada.
I actually really love this angle of Ryan becoming friends with everyone else after Sharpay screws him over. It's a fun way to change up the cast pairings for the sequel.
A Chad/Ryan romance -- the unexplored road HSM could have taken if Disney had let them... the sexual tension during I Don't Dance. The fact that they literally SWITCH OUTFITS afterwards. GIVE IT TO US.
Ryan is out of his mind for playing on this baseball field in an all-white ensemble.
Ryan and Chad hooked up after that game, and you cannot tell me otherwise. And the fact that they try and pretend there is something going on with Gabriela and Ryan... please.
This Sharpay version of You are the Music in Me is a BOP.
Oh no... when Troy isn't true to himself, he can't make a basket. The tragic trope continues.
There are so many health code violations going on with all these 16 year olds running this kitchen.
The Troy/Chad, Sharpay/Ryan, Gabriela/Sharpay and Gabriela/Troy confrontations in this movie are A+. One of the reasons this sequel isn't a complete joke is because it balances out all the random kookiness with real substance. And Zac Efron really acts the hell out of it.
I remember being CRUSHED when Gabriela gives Troy her necklace. And it still destroys me. The real-life chemistry between Vanessa and Zac really hits and helps sell these moments. They both look truly heartbroken. Also her mom coming to pick her up... a nice, realistic touch.
Alright, here comes Troy's dad to try and walk back his bad advice. What does Troy's mom have to say? We'll never know -- she's capped at one line per movie.
Ugh, Bet on It is a bad song. And this dreadful choreography is just laughable. It doesn't hold a candle to Troy's angry song in HSM3, Scream. I'm fast-forwarding, sorry readers.
I do not believe that Sharpay would be sad about having to do a solo performance. Sharpay, this is your time to shine!!! Own it!
"Guys, I messed up your show and I'm sorry." "Yeah, cause show business is our entire lives..." Zeek has some great lines this go-around.
Please, someone, what is the back story behind this sock puppet woman. What did Sharpay do to her?
Can Troy sight-read music? A legitimate question. Because he shouldn't be able to but he constantly does. Sharpay and Ryan obviously can. Kelsey is the composer. Gabriela is a little genius so sure. But Troy??
The cloud background and wind machine is so extra -- but Everyday is a solid performance number when the full cast joins in.
AWWWWW Ryan winning the Star Dazzle award -- much deserved.
Well well well ... now all of a sudden they're pretending like Sharpay and Zeek have even spoken in months. Missed opportunities.
I remember watching this behind the scenes video about Monique Coleman being scared of water, and she's crying and has to build up all of this courage to jump in for this pool scene. AND THEY CUT THE SCENE OUT. If anyone ever doubted how cold Disney can be, there you go.
Did everyone quit their jobs? Is that why the "real summer has just begun"? Or is it just because everyone has stopped fighting and is friends with Sharpay now? The lyrics don't add up but everyone is happy!!
That's a wrap on HSM 2!!!! Go listen to some the soundtrack while it's seasonally appropriate!
