A HSM trilogy ramble

OKAY SO. This is my first like,,, actual post that isn't just a list. THIS IS NOT STRUCTURED AT ALL This is literally just a brain dump of an interest if mine that has been strong these past few months

The High School Musical trilogy. This is definitely a franchise I love mainly for the musical numbers and the characters (but mainly the musical numbers). I have mixed feelings about the characters of HSM. I think about them and am like oh yes these characters! I like them a lot! I love these characters!! but then I realize it's more on a surface level, because to be honest most of them pissed me off the entire time LMFAOO. Like Chad for example, I really like Chad when he ISN'T being annoying, but unfortunately he is annoying quite often. He redeems himself with "I don't dance" though, also by being played by Corbin Bleu. I think the only characters that genuinely never annoyed me were Troy (to an extent), Gabriella, and Ryan. Oh also Zeke. Dude was just baking sweets the entire time and I respect it. 

Ryan is my favorite character. I love Ryan so much. I think he is easily one of the most likable by a LONG shot, and I think he has the most character/depth out of the whole lineup. His character is so simple on paper (One half of a pair of twins that are rich and mean and always try and get the spotlight except one is actually NOT mean and the main characters find that out later in the franchise) but idc idc. Also I really love him and Gabriella's friendship I think they were so sweet. Also the guy is a great dancer. 

The plot and conflict of HSM is weak, specifically in the first movie. If it wasn't a musical, it really wouldn't have anything of note. It's not a BAD plot per say, it's just very, very simple, and very disney channel. Which it's supposed to be! That doesn't change the facts though. The first movie is a bit dull to me. The second and third movies are where its all at. The second movie is without a doubt the best in the franchise in terms of plot. It is actually pretty good in that department. This is most people's favorite, and It would easily also be my favorite if the third movie didn't pull the whole "look at us we now have a way higher budget and we get a theatrical release" thing. Like I am so sorry, I know the third one doesn't have the most solid plot and the new characters are extremely forgettable (the new basketball guys were fine, the british chick?? was so unnecessary though??) but I am NOT immune to the siren call of over the top musical numbers. 

Also, before I move on to the actual music, one more thing. Let me just say... lowkey, this franchise would be NOTHING without Sharpay and Ryan. Sharpay may be a b!tch but GOD is she iconic and one of the strongest parts of the series just in terms of presence alone.

Okay, MUSIC NUMBER TIME. FINALLY.

This is mostly going to be about the third movie, but let's give the second movie the flowers it VERY, VERY MUCH DESERVES. Most of the songs I just like a normal amount, but there are a handful that stand out. Fabulous is iconic. The song itself, the pink, the scene with the guy looking into his drink and then the camera cutting to Sharpay on the lime float in the pool with the ice cube floats around her like she's in the drink, Ryan wearing a pink and white tux sitting in the pool playing a pink piano, ITS ALL ICONIC. It would be great if it were just Sharpay singing, but Ryan's lines really wrap it all together for me.

I don't dance. I am normal about this one (lie). The song is so good for absolutely NO REASON. Like they put something in that song I stg. There are so many things in this song and scene that scratch my brain so good. I love the choreo. Then there's the whole subtext thing, which i'm actually NOT going to go fully into here because that's a whole other can of worms that would warrant like 2 full paragraphs. Long story short, song is between Chad, a jock, and Ryan, who is into music and drama and all that. The gang is having a fun little baseball game, and Ryan is trying to tell Chad that dancing takes just as much game as baseball. And chad is like lmao no I dont dance. So naturally everyone sings and dances about it because it's a muscial. The way it all goes down gives it a very obvious gay subtext, which is heightened by certain lyrics and also the fact that they switch clothes at the end (which the director said was a last minute thing, and is supposed to represent how they came to an agreement but oh my god. Putting that on top of everything else is so funny to me like really dude. You thought THAT is how people would take it). I'd argue it also is a commentary on masculinity to some degree. If you want to learn more about it (cuz like I said, I did not go fully into it at ALL), then there's no shortage of people talking about it online so you're in luck.

Also, anytime you talk about I don't dance you have to have an obligatory comment talking about how Chad does dance lmao. I would actually say he is one of the best dancers in the series.

Go my own way doesn't have a musical number but god I love that song.

I actually don't have much to say about Bet on it because I don't have very strong feelings about it, which i'm sure is a cardinal sin to some people, but it's my truth. I really do think Scream from HSM 3 is better, but do not get me wrong I absolutely understand why Bet on it is more iconic to people. Zach Effron put his whole career into that scene.

OKAY HSM 3 TIME YIPPEE YIPPE YIPPEE

As I said before, I don't think this one has the strongest plot but MY GOD. THE MUSICAL NUMBERS ARE SO GOOD

Movie opens with Now or never, which is a BANGER in my opinion. I love the opening scene so much. There's so much energy and something about it just scratches my brain really good. I think the cheerleader's chants add so much to that song.

Next up is I want it all. Automatic points for being a Sharpay and Ryan song. THE SETS IN THIS ONE. ALL THE MOVING PIECES. THE COSTUMES. THE WAY THE OTHER CHARACTERS HAVE LITTLE PARTS THROUGH OUT THE NUMBER. OMFGGGGGGGG. I love Kelsi's cab driver makeup so much. THAT FINALE???? AND THE FACT ALL THE SETS ARE IN THE CAFETERIA IS SO COOL. UGH UGH UGH. UGHHHHHHHH. That scene is when I knew the music numbers in this movie were about to be a BLAST

A night to remember. THE CHOREO IN THIS ONE!!! I LOVE IT!!! UGHHH!!!! It's such a fun number and song. Again with the sets and moving pieces. Not as grand as I want it all, but still noteworthy. I love Sharpay and Ryan's extra little intro part. Also why did Zac Effron put so much into that "Too tight it makes me look weird" part. I think he shines in this one the most in terms of dancing. 

^^Sidenote, the way this movie tried to push Ryan x Kelsi into existence out of nowhere doesn't even bother me because that is literally the most gay character and the most lesbian character. They went to prom together as besties mlm wlw solidarity. Also Kelsi should have worn a suit or something to prom. I feel like in this movie they tried to make her a lot more like, feminine and outgoing and idk. Part of me is like,, I know firsthand that sometimes your taste just changes as you grow. Like I know for myself I kind of just?? randomly started enjoying more feminine things at like 18 for some reason than I had throughout my entire teen hood?? but at the same time I'm like. Yeah no Disney was not thinking about it that way LMFAOOO they probably just wanted her to be more girly. Whateverrrrrr. Movie is a decade and a half old no reason to think too hard on it. Also to that person on letterboxd who said she was the worst dressed character in the franchise: I have beef with you literally leave her alone.

Okay getting back on track, The boys are back (hey that rhymed). I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH UGHHH. The whole junkyard setting is so fun, the premise of the song is so feel good and wholesome, ugh. There's so many visual things in this one that I love. The car coming to life and them swinging the poles around like weapons. ITS JUST SUCH A GOOD TIME. I WAS GRINNING LIKE AN IDIOT THROUGH OUT THE WHOLE THING. Now, THE CHOREO????? PROBABLY MY FAV IN THE FRANCHISE OR AT LEAST UP THERE. SO MUCH ENERGY, SO FUN, SO SATISFYING TO WATCH. Zac and Corbin were SO GOOD together in this my god. I am saying this once again: It scratches my brain. SO. GOOD. ALSO, THE PART WITH THEM AS KIDS IS SO FREAKING CUTE. I just love the whole concept of this number so much.

Now, last, but CERTAINLY not least: Scream. Dude. THE WAY MY JAW DROPPED WITH THE SPINNING HALLWAY SEQUENCE. THE FACT IT WAS A PHYSICAL SET TOO IS SO COOL. THIS is my favorite out of the "Troy having a breakdown and dramatically running around and dancing" lineup. IT IS SO VISUALLY DRAMATIC AND I EAT. IT. UP. THE LIGHTNING, THE BASKET BALLS RAINING DOWN FROM THE CEILING, THAT DAMN SPINNING HALLWAY, TROY SLAMMING THE LOCKERS AND SLIDING AROUND THE HALLWAY AND RIPPING HIS BANNER OFF THE WALL. YES GIVE ME MORE I LOVE THIS. Troy is so dramatic and I LOVE him for it. I really think Zac was incredible in this movie specifically. Like he did so good in every number

Okay I just needed to dump this somewhere. This was originally going to be the hsm stuff AND me gushing about teen beach movie, but I realized how long it would be. Also Teen beach movie deserves it's own post