SYNOPSIS:
The power of music continues to explode in this spectacular,
show-stopping, two-disc REMIX EDITION of the Emmy(R) Award-winning
HIGH SCHOOL MUSCIAL! The smash-hit Disney Channel Original
Movie everyone is talking about now features hours of awesome
new bonus features that will rock your world. Take a front-row
seat on the red carpet for the star-studded Hollywood premiere,
and join the High School Reunion, where the cast reunites
in an exclusive interview where they talk about how their
lives have changed dramatically since being a part of this
movie phenomenon. Plus, stand up and experience the Dance
Along (as seen on Disney Channel), where Troy, Gabriella,
Sharpay, and Ryan give step-by-step instructions to popular
dance sequences "Get'cha Head In The Game" and "We're
All In This Together." Hear two exclusive remix versions
of your favorite songs and watch three new music videos. HIGH
SCHOOL MUSICAL REMIX EDITION is everything you've been looking
for -- and more!
MOVIE
REVIEW
In
Disney Pixar’s Oscar-winning Finding Nemo (2003), Marlin
the clownfish says: “I’m feeling happy, and that’s
a big deal… for me.” This is indeed the same sentiment
for this reviewer after watching this Disney Channel Original
Movie.
The wildly
successful television movie premiered in the United States
in January 2006, and its popularity spread like wildfire across
the world. Looks like happiness is contagious, and that’s
a good thing in our opinion.
The movie
tells the story of a boy and a girl who meet at a karaoke
contest and discover their love for music, and for each other.
Throw in some side plots like opposing parents, green-eyed
classmates and an upcoming school musical performance, and
you’d have one great teen drama that reminds you of
those good old days you had.
In great
Disney tradition, director Kenny Ortega (also the choreographer!)
has the 98-minute movie playing out with catchy and preppy
tunes that will have you humming happily, energetic and well-choreographed
dance sequences that will have you tapping your feet happily,
and most importantly, a wholesome and hearty story that will
have you smiling ear to ear happily.
It’s
like Grease for today’s generation.
The
earnest performances by teen stars Zac Efron (he had to change
his mobile phone number after fans repeatedly harassing him!),
Vanessa Anne Hudgens (she has released her solo album in September
2006!) and Ashley Tisdale (she has her own Youtube Channel!)
will win your hearts in the most charming ways.
Sure,
the plot (like we don’t already have enough movies telling
us to be true to ourselves already) is predictable, the songs
(The titles of “Breaking Free” and “We’re
All In This Together” tell it all) are cheesy and over-pleasing,
the lines (“Do you remember in kindergarten, how you'd
meet a kid, and know nothing about them, then 10 seconds later
you'd be playing like you were best friends”) are conventionally
feel-good – but there is an endearing and captivating
formula to this movie that works.
Why else
would it have garnered a handful of accolades including Emmys
and Teen Choice Awards? Why else would the movie soundtrack
climb to the top spot on the Billboard album chart twice in
March 2006, and be 4x Platinum?
Oh,
and there’s a reason why there are not one, but two
upcoming sequels for this phenomenal picture. The movie makes
people happy, that’s why. And that’s a really
big deal in cynical times like this.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
We are talking about the fastest-selling television
movie DVD here, and after releasing a single-disc edition
in May 2006, the producers must have realized what a money-milking
cow this is. So here it is: a two-disc edition with more special
features, a prettier cover and an overall packaging that makes
you feel happier. That’s one good deal.
Music
Videos – Fans of the movie would have grown
tired of the “Breakking Free” music videos which
received lots of airtime on Disney Channel, so this disc would
be a godsend, with all-new videos of “I Can’t
Take My Eyes Off You”, “We’re All In This
Together”, funky remixes of “Breaking Free”
and “We’re All In This Together” (they are
targeting party-going teens here) and a Spanish version of
“What I’ve Been Looking For” entitled “Eres
Tu” (It’s a worldwide phenomenon, remember?).
Bring It All Together: The Making of “High School
Musical” – This 9-minute featurette
has the young actors of the movie talking singing praises
about their director, who has brought them an incredible of
fame (and probably fortune) with his movie. They also talk
about dancing and singing on set, which looks really tiring
to us.
Learning
the Moves – In this 4-minute segment, director
Ortega presents how the song segment “Bop To The Top”
was rehearsed. Together with his associate choreographers,
you can choose to watch this clip in different angles, and
finally enjoy it as the final version in the movie. Nope,
we didn’t try dancing along.
Hollywood
Premiere – The young stars of the movie look
really happy in this 3-minute featurette which sees them attending
their movie premiere in Hollywood (complete with red carpet,
eager press and screaming fans). You also see how smart the
producers are when they sneakily include interviews of stars
from other Disney Channel shows like Cheetah Girls 2 and Hannah
Montana.
A
High School Reunion – The stars look really
happy and enthusiastic in this 6-minute clip where they talk
about where the successful movie has brought them. Each of
them tells us what they were doing before the movie, and their
upcoming projects. Footages of their Australia and London
promotional tours are also included. Really, we feel happy
for them too.
High
School Musical Dance-Along – This has to be
the most amazing featurette on this DVD. The16-minute featurette
which was previously shown on Disney Channel teaches us how
to dance along to the tunes of “Get’cha Head In
The Game” and “We’re All In This Together”.
The stars take turn to slowly demonstrate the steps, and then
putting it together in half speed, and eventually full speed.
They are really nice, repeatedly telling us not to worry if
we do not get it right the first time (not everyone has good
motor-coordination skills you know). Did this reviewer manage
to master the energetic dance steps? Check back in half a
year, perhaps.
Trailers
– Included on the disc are DVD trailers for
Disney productions like Cars, The Wild, Snow Dogs and Stick
It.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The visual transfer on this Code 3 disc showcases the vibrant
colours of all the dance sequences, making it a very good
visual treat. Other then English/Spanish/Portuguese language
options, you can watch the movie in its original version (with
or without subtitles) or its “Sing Along” version
where lyrics will pop up whenever a tune is being warbled.
Yes, go ahead, you know you want to sing along at home!
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
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