Genre: Drama/Musical
Runtime: Approx. 120 minutes including commercials
Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman
Network: Disney Channel
High School Musical 2 - Plot Summary
School is out for the summer, and the Wildcats are looking forward to some fun in the sun. Sharpay sets her sights on Troy and cooks up a scheme to get him a summer job at daddy's country club in Lava Springs. When Troy gets all his friends, including girlfriend Gabriella, a job there too, Sharpay is incensed. The Wildcats vow to make it the summer of their lives, but spoiled Sharpay vows to catch Troy and get the rest of her classmates fired.
At Lava Springs, Troy and Gabriella are interrupted at every turn by Sharpay's evil tactics. She then uses her father's clout to lure Troy in with promises of meeting important people and possible college scholarships. While Troy gets caught up in all of his new opportunities, his friends get left behind. The final blow comes when Sharpay dumps her brother as her singing partner for the country club's summer talent show and ropes Troy into singing with her instead of Gabriella. She even manges to thwart the Wildcats when they befriend her brother and work on an act of their own.
Oblivious to what she is doing to those around her, Sharpay couldn't be happier about her summer. Troy, on the other hand, realizes that he has some choices to make. Is he really doing what's right for his future, or is the cost he will pay in the present too high?
High School Musical 2 - Guide Review for Parents
It is often said that a sequel can never surpass the original movie, but High School Musical 2 comes pretty close. The movie is fun, the music is great, and like the original High School Musical, it even has a great moral for kids. Sure, we've seen it all before - the characters are pretty much the same and the romantic struggle is similar - but with a fresh new location and an upbeat summer musical score, kids are loving number two as much as the first movie - maybe even more.
Parents seem to be as happy as kids about the High School Musical phenomenon. The movies send a positive message and encourage kids to develop their talents and be themselves. All that, and the content is virtually trash free.
High School Musical 2 - Content Overview
High School Musical 2 is a summertime flick, so there are lots of bathing suits and sleeveless/strapless outfits. Some girls in the movie wear outfits that show cleavage, but nothing trashy or really distasteful. Also, the movie centers around summer romance, and a boy and girl kiss toward the end.
As is expected, main antagonist Sharpay behaves selfishly and uses devious means to get her way. She is spoiled and rich, and she looks down on those who do not have the social status that she enjoys. By the end though, she learns her lesson - again.
Other content that could be of concern to parents centers around Troy and Gabriella, who knowingly break a couple of country club rules. For example, they go swimming in the country club pool at night, even though they know that staff members are prohibited from using the pool. In another scene, they have a picnic on the golf course, realizing they will probably get in trouble if they are caught.
Like the original, High School Musical 2 can be characterized as a musical teen romance with a moral or two. Through the storyline and characters, the movie emphasizes the importance of loyal friendship and encourages kids to value other people and their individual talents.
High School Musical 2 - Topics to Talk About
- What is the meaning of integrity, and how do the characters show this quality, or a lack of it, in the movie?
- In the movie, the other kids easily forgive Sharpay. Would it be hard to forgive such a person in real life? How could people benefit from such an attitude of forgiveness and acceptance?
- Some people may exhibit selfish behavior and put others down like Sharpay does in the movie. Why do people behave like this? What are some good ways to respond to such behavior?
High School Musical 2 - DVD Bonus Features
- Never-Before-Seen Music Scene: Troy and Sharpy practice "Humuhumunukunukua'pua'a" together. The scene is integrated into the movie.
- Sing Along: On screen lyrics for all the songs from the movie
- High School Musical Karaoke: Anyone can be a star with this interactive, highly entertaining bonus feature.
- Rehearsal Cam: Watch rehearsal footage in sync with the movie
- Bloopers: Watch the movie's stars try to cover their hilarious missteps
- Music Videos: Including a performance by popular Canadian artist Nikki Yanovsky singing "Gotta Go My Own Way" in French and English
