Took me a little while, but I did eventually manage to watch HSM3. I couldn't take notes during the movie in the theater, unfortunately, so my comments are from memory and I've certainly forgotten things, and may have some notes out of order. I've also included photos where available.
So we start the movie with a tight shot on Troy, with East High behind and in crisis. Okay, not quite what I expected, but it did lead to a good setup for "Now or Never"
The after party was kind of unexpected. I thought we might have a plot point involving a stolen or missing trophy, but nothing happened there. They where playing Aly & AJ's "Like Woah" when Troy and Chad got there, and they played a Jordan Pruitt song as well.
The tree house scene made me think of the tree house scene in Kim Possible: So the Drama. Not that there was much similarity at all, but that's where my mind went.
Sharpay sure knows how to make an entrance, even if it took two songs before we even see her. I loved how there where all the guys reacting to her hotness.
I like how, even with an expanded cast, everyone conveniently has the same homeroom. And it's always just long enough to go over what they have to discuss.
"I want it All" played out on screen a little differently than I had imagined. And Sharpay's outfit didn't seem nearly as scandalous on the big screen. And maid Gabriella? OMG so racist, but so much fun too.
I had read a review that was highly critical of the well manicured roof of East High. It was absolutely beautiful how they did that, and in my opinion of the best scenes in the entire film. Okay, it wasn't realistic, but it was a real treasure.
The Junkyard scene was a highlight. I'm no Troy or Chad fan, but it was quite a powerful performance. And the little Troy and Chad at ne point - that was unexpected. Troy's later solo song through the halls of East High was equally if not more powerful. Quite reminiscent of his solo in HSM2. I must give Zac Efron credit for that.
The part where Chad was trying to ask Taylor to the prom was like every guy's worst nightmare. She knows what he means so she should just say yes already. [/guy code]
Tiara really is a mini-Sharpay. Not only does she get the info on Gabriella's scholarship, she researches it online and gives it to Sharpay, who plants the seeds in Troy's head.
Gabriella just left? That's insane. Like, I know people who've done that and it drives me nuts.
So Sharpay got Gabriella's part. If feels like we've been down this road before...
Gabriella refuses to come back, so Troy goes to get her. Wonderful, exactly what I would have done, well, you know, if gas wasn't so expensive.
Sharpay's greenish dress was awesome. On the same level as the original blue one from Bob to the Top, IMO. But what was the "rocket man" wearing? My goodness, I felt bad for Sharpay. And then, if that wasn't enough, the Tiara stabs her in the back right after that? My goodness.
Ryan did "I want it all" in the musical within the musical. Seems kind of strange, but it does explain the girls in cat ears, sort of.
The on stage graduation type sequence was a little strange. If only because it included things like the Julliard results. I suppose talent scouts must make quick decisions. I'm not sure about the necessity of having Chad run off stage followed by Troy. At least Troy's dad realized they needed to get back to the show.
The finale & graduation number was high energy fun, like the other movie endings, but this one, and I don't know why lacked something.
I did like the curtain call, though. I agree with one review I had read that called it "long overdue."
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So with the details covered, it's clear that overarching theme for the film is a sort of self discovery, what do I do next? sort of thing. For Sharpay that means getting the Julliard scholarship. And yet... she doesn't actually do anything to the three people she's actually competing with. All she did was once again try to bump of Gabriella. For Gabriella, it's more of an issue of how she's going to leave, not where she's going. And for Troy, well, he's the one who really wants it all. And in the end, he pulled a rabbit out of a hat that let him keep Basketball, the theater, and the girl. Seems like a bit of a cop out.
At first, I was disappointed with how they where underusing Ashley Tisdale, but they made up for in in the second half. The two new Wildcats where forgettable. Even if they had one half naked scene. Tiara Gold will be interesting to see again, but she's not a very likable bad girl. Not in the way that Sharpay was likable. I did find it somewhat interesting how Sharpay offered to help run the drama department after graduation, might they bring Sharpay back for HSM4?
Overall rating, four out of five. I will have to get the DVD when they release it.
