subject: High School Musical 3: It's All In The Dancing [print this page] It's time for a return to the glossy tale told by a fool, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. It's time for Troy and Gabriella and Chad and Taylor and Kelsi. It's time to watch our beloved high school students making plans for the four-year musical: college. It's time for re-screening High School Musical 3: Extended Edition.
Of course everyone's come back for the choreography and nifty musical numbers. Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanesa Hudgens), Chad (Corbin Bleu), Taylor (Monique Coleman), and Kelsi (Olesya Rulin) are now in their last year of high school at good old East High. They're wrapping up their time in rock and roll high school and looking to get into great universities -- all while planning the prom. Oh, the life a modern teen.
One silly misunderstanding after another drives what passes for a plot. These are the garden-variety misunderstandings that are framed by characters inexplicably turning away and storming off. It's one of those plots that falls apart if any one character bothered to stop, ask for an explanation and listened. You know the kind of romantic comedy farce, and you love it -- that why you stomach this jazz-hands take on high school byzantine relationships.
Of course, it all falls apart when it's revealed to us that there is only one spot left at Julliard. Preposterous, yes, but oh so dramatic. So, Sharpay, Ryan, Kelsi, and Troy begin their dance combat. Meanwhile, Gabriella is chosen for an advanced study program at Stanford. Egad, this means she will miss the prom! The conflicts are farcical and the action musical -- remember, this is Disney goodness, after all.
So, we've established the conceit of the plot, long may it live. Say what you will of it, the pay-off is in the dancing. While the songs are nothing to write home about, the choreography is impressive enough to crack a smile at. The routines have a fresh feeling, especially given the high-energy acting from the likes of Efron and the bunch. So, as you labor through the transition and exposition scenes, you'll find yourself aching for the next dance number. Brilliant.
