Music to your ears

Almost like denial, Walt Disney's frothy campus franchise has never been really concerned with teenage issues or insecurities. Instead, a spectacular chronicle of song and dance with fizzy faces to match, the High School Musical package has the heart of Grease and the depth of Archie Andrews.

And so, the Wildcat is back, third time in a row. (Unlike the previous two made-for-Disney channel flicks, this one hits the big screens.) Predictably enough, he's confused as ever. If you've followed the first two in the series, you'll know how decision-making has never been easy for Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), the gorgeous lead of the HSM brat pack.

This time, around, it's Senior Year and Troy finds himself torn between the three loves of his life -- basketball, music and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens). Truth be told, there's not much plot to speak of. Nor is the on-going conflict in Troy's head distinctly conveyed, except for the outburst-filled track, Scream, you never get a whiff of his frustration.

Then again that's High School Musical 3: Senior Year -- take it or leave it -- where previously too high-energy choreography, not script, is the real showstopper.

Its target young audience will not find any reason to grumble, though.

East High (Troy and Gabriella's alma mater), you see, is nothing like a standard school. Be it the ambience or attitude, it rolls like a fantasy. Kids can hang out on the terrace, more like a mini-nursery of plants, any time of the day they like. There's no homework or test to worry about. Game nights and prom-dance is all that matters. There's just a new-age drama teacher (Alyson Reed clad in an inspired version of the Indian salwar kameez) and burly coach (Bart Johnson, you'll never catch him without a ball) in the name of staff. The cafeteria, New York Deli, serves more confectionaries than the boulangerie closest to you.  All you need is a pair of happy feet and a melodious voice to go.

If academic decadence wasn't enough, there's Efron with his Luke Skywalker mop and Grecian deity charisma that simply won't expect anything less that 'Omigod, he's so-cute' for a reaction. The man, you got to admit, is indeed endowed with exceptional beauty, graceful movement and extraordinary screen presence. And you can't wait for him to get over this HSM deal and sign up for parts that would not just capitalise on his inherent charisma but challenge it too.  His leading lady in real and reel life, Vanessa Hudgens doesn't quite conjure the freshness of her first appearance or the layers of the second but coos mellifluously enough to not let that come in the way.

Other supporting characters like the quintessential best buddy (Corbin Bleu, adorable as ever but sadly doesn't get much footage), geeky girl-friends (tee-hee personified Monique Coleman and Olesya Rulin), fashionably quirky, mixed-up choreographer, (Lucas Grabeel keeps it short and sweet this time) and Paris Hilton-inspired mean girl (Ashley Tisdale, her claws are down, relatively -- boo hoo, but she's looking like a million bucks) show up, every now and then, to infuse colours and characteristics in HSM's multi-hued pattern.

You can feel it in the songs. You can enjoy it in its steps. There's a lingering sweetness to Right here right now, a cascading rhythm to Can I have this dance and palpable energy in the rocking sentimentality of The boys are back.  

Although, I still maintain High School Musical, the first one was most pleasant of the three, director Kenny Ortega masterfully heightens the chemistry of the first, lessens the disappointment of the second to go all out with a mini-Broadway-style extravaganza.

In the last three years of HSM's existence, it has created an overwhelming fan base for itself manifesting in DVDs, CDs, video games, books and other merchandise. In fact, there's already a fourth sequel in the works.

 While I am totally digging the boogie and swinging to Troy and Gabriella's sound of sensation, I am not really up for a fourth. Perhaps it's time for this bunch of high-schoolers to grow up? But for now, three cheers for the third in line.

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