HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2
US, 2007, 104 minutes, Colour.
Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgins, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Colman, Mark L. Taylor.
Directed by Kenny Ortega.
Encore.
This film reruns High School Musical which was an extraordinary success for the Disney Channel in 2006. The ratings were very high. Stage productions were mounted and there were tours over the United States and in other countries around the world. This sequel gathers together the same characters and puts them in a holiday situation rather than term time. The plot is much the same. High School Musical 3 was slated for release in 2008.
1.The popularity of the original film? The young people, singing and dancing? The traditional musical?
2.The repetition? The high school, the vacation, the resort?
3.The musical score, the range of songs, for Troy and for Gabriella? The ensemble songs? For Sharpay, for Ryan?
4.Troy, family background, Gabriella? His friendship with Chad? Sharpay and her aiming at him? His work, the group going to the resort? The plans for putting on the show? His being feted, Sharpay arranging things, his being on the golf course, in the restaurant? The possibility of the scholarship, his father’s support? The Evans family and their support? His having meals, playing golf, his clothes, Italian shoes, the golf buggy? His being above himself, the treatment of his friends? The others challenging him, Gabriella, Chad? Talking with his father, playing basketball, coming to his senses, his songs? Reunited with Gabriella? Sharpay being outwitted? The happy ending?
5.Gabriella, a more minor role, at work, in the swimming pool, her being sacked? Hurt by Troy, the confrontation, singing with him at the end?
6.Sharpay, always scheming, self-confident, her treatment of her brother? Manipulating Mr Fulton, her father? Wanting Troy to sing with her? Putting on the show? Her reliance on Ryan – then insulting him, alienating him? The final song, her humiliation?
7.Ryan, stupid in the first film, supporting Sharpay, her telling him off, his going over to the other side, the choreographer? The song with the contrast between dancing and baseball – and the baseballers all joining in, the choreography, the parallels with dancing and baseball movements? His final triumph at the end?
8.Chad, at work, friends with Troy, feeling put off, challenging him?
9.The other members of the group, Taylor McKessie? and her spying, reporting?
10.Mr Fulton, manipulated by Sharpay, his hard lines on the workers?
11.Mr Evans, his support, Mrs Evans, believing Sharpay?
12.The popular ingredients – song and dance, sympathetic hero and heroine, the self-confident villain, the hero having to question his own identity. Popular themes for a teenage audience?
