High School Musical Remix – DVD Review

Film, Reviews


Available at Amazon.com

Director

Kenny Ortega

Cast

Zac Efron”¦”¦”¦Troy Bolton
Vanessa Anne Hudgens”¦”¦”¦Gabriella Montez
Lucas Grabeel”¦”¦”¦Ryan Evans
Corbin Bleu”¦”¦”¦Chad Danforth
Ashley Tisdale”¦”¦”¦Sharpay Evans
Monique Coleman”¦”¦”¦Taylor McKessie

DVD Release Date: December 5, 2006
Rating: PG
Running Time: 98 Minutes On 2 Discs

The Movie

Remember back to the days when you were in high school and you finally caught the eye of that certain someone – and then you both broke out in song and choreographed dance? Me either, but the movies are a whole different world.

Troy is the popular kid in school who also happens to be the captain of the basketball team. He has lots of friends and is the type of person that all the kids wanted to be near. Then there’s Gabriella who is more of the studious type of person, who also happens to be the shy new kid in the school. The only thing is is that neither of them know each other’s identifiable traits; they meet at a New Yea’s party singing karaoke together. Both Troy and Gabriella learn of the othe’s love for music and their similarities, but then it becomes a mystery if they’ll ever see each other again.

That mystery is solved when they discover they now attend the same high school, but now the problem of conflicting social groups of sports and academics vie to keep them apart. Their feelings for each other keep drawing them back together as both Gabriella and Troy go out for the school musical, and knock the socks off the drama squad. Yet another problem develops as siblings Ryan and Sharpay, the leads for all school plays, allow jealousy to get the best of them and do whatever they can to vanquish the new couple’s shot at stardom.

In a nutshell, High School Musical is an attempt to reinvent Grease. Think about it for a minute. Girl and guy from different worlds meet and have to part. They find out they are in school together but in different cliques, so now other people are trying to keep them apart. So the only answer is for musical numbers and getting great numbers of other students to join them in dances everyone knows.

Thing is, while it is no Grease by a long shot, I found myself really enjoying Musical more then I should have. The story is clichéd, but it keeps it all interesting with the catchy songs and cute kids. Well, Sharpay is twenty-one so I’m not being gross. Honestly though, as it is made for and aimed at children to keep them entertained, which I know it does because my five year-old nephew is obsessed with the movie; it also will entertain any grown adult.

You are going to find yourself singing along with the songs and really hoping that things work out for Troy and Gabriella when fate is destined to bring them together at last. Some fantastic scenes, fun songs, and cool dance sequences are going to force you to enjoy this movie. And if you have kids, you’ll enjoy it on repeat.

The Video

The musical is shown in 1.33:1 Full Screen format and looks very good. I’m a bigger fan of the widescreen format, but for such a film, it’s not like there are a lot of wide open landscapes and such visible to need any more.

The Audio

The musical is heard in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and it’s definitely needed. I mean it’s a musical for God sakes, so the more impressive the sound”¦then the better the movie is going to be presented. It sounds really good so the music, singing, and conversational dialogue all comes through perfectly.

Special Features

Learning The Moves Led By Kenny Ortega – Ortega, the director and choreographer show with some other dances how they taught the kids the moves they know in the film. Then you get the chance to learn the moves yourself.

Sing Along With The Film – Consider it subtitles in song.

Sneak Peeks – Previews for upcoming Disney released on DVD and in theatres.

Music Video: “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”

Dance Alongs – The cast teaches some dance moves from songs “Get Your Head In The Game” and “We’re All In This Together.”

Music Video: “Breaking Free Remix”

Music Video: “Eres Tu”

A High School Reunion – The stars are together and discussing life before the movie, how big of a hit the movie has become, and how it feels to be celebrities.

Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Hollywood Premiere Event – The cast and crew at the premiere release of the DVD complete with red carpet, screaming fans, and Aunt Becky from “Full House.”

Music Video: “We’re All In This Together”

Bringing It All Together: The Making Of High School Musical – Cast and crew go through all it took to put the film together. Your basic “making of” featurette talking about the dancing, actors, direction, and everything.

Music Video: “We’re All In This Together — Remix”

The Inside Pulse

If you have children or not, you will find yourself enjoying this film. It’s just really put together well and the music combined with the story make for an enjoyable hour and a half. Not to mention that you get almost double the amount of extras that the original release of the DVD provided. Do yourself a favor and go geek for a little bit and check out High School Musical because if you don’t then you’re missing out on a good film that is already spawning a sequel.

The DVD Lounge’s Ratings for High School Musical Remix
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE MOVIE

8
THE VIDEO

7.5
THE AUDIO

8
THE EXTRAS

8
REPLAY VALUE

7.5
OVERALL
8
(NOT AN AVERAGE)