 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
- Review Date: October 21, 2008
- G
- Genre: Musical
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Predictable but enjoyable musical is fine for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the first big-screen High School Musical movie has been feverishly anticipated by the series' tween and teen fans. And they won't be disappointed. It's sweet, age-appropriate fun with very little edge (save for a few scenes featuring a nearly too-vampy Sharpay). There's no swearing, violence, drinking, or smoking, and the teen sweethearts don't do more than hold hands and kiss. Although it presents a "Disneyfied" view of teen life, the movie's overall message is positive and affirming (and the music is really catchy!).
What's the story?
The kids are back in a big way in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3. It's senior year, and the Wildcats have played their last game. Up next: Prom, the big musical, and, yes, graduation. Troy (Zac Efron) seems headed for the University of Albuquerque -- until Juilliard suddenly becomes an option. Will it be basketball or theater? And will his choice alienate his best friend, Chad (Corbin Bleu)? Meanwhile, Troy's beloved Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) is bound for Stanford, but will that mean saying goodbye to Troy for good? Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) has her eye on Juilliard, too, but there's only one scholarship up for grabs, and her twin brother, Ryan (Lucas Grabeel), and their friend Kelsey, share the same dream. And then there's the gang's final stage production, a musical that's meant to be about them -- but it's hard to express who you are and what you want out of life when you don't quite know yet yourself.
Is it any good?
Earnest, schmaltzy, and wildly entertaining, High School Musical 3: Senior Year -- the first film in Disney's enormously popular HSM franchise to debut on the big screen -- proudly wears its heart on its sleeve. Yet it doesn't suffer from doing so, largely due to the obvious rapport of its talented cast, particularly Hudgens and Efron, who share an unmistakable chemistry (they're a couple in real life, too). And the music? It's as catchy as ever (standout tunes include the anthem-like "Now or Never," the sweet "Can I Have This Dance?" and a slowed-down, nostalgic "We're All in This Together"). The musical numbers are ambitious productions marked by exemplary choreography--the hallmark of a hit Disney feature. (We dare you not to tap your feet.)
Make no mistake: HSM 3 is cheesy. And the plot does have holes -- for starters, director Kenny Ortega's decision not to show prom at all, even though the ritual of asking dates is pumped up in the movie's first half. But it's a good kind of cheesy, the kind that gamely tugs at your heart and grows more adorable by the minute. HSM 3 proves that the franchise has the heft to make the leap from television to the big screen, and it does so with honors.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes high school graduation such an important rite of passage.
How are each of the characters approaching the end of an era?
What do
you think of Troy's decision in the end? How have he and the other
characters changed over the course of the three movies?Families can
also discuss how realistic the movie is when it comes to presenting
teen life. Kids: Does the movie at all reflect your own experiences?
How is it similar? Different?Do you think people generally get an
accurate or inaccurate view of teen life from the media?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I'll admit it...I like it too.
My daughter will love this over and over and over. It's her absolute favorite, and I don't mind watching along with her! Nor does her 3 year old brother - though he just watches the musical parts and tunes out the rest. The story is a little thin, but what do you really expect?! The music is, well, musical...it's fun, catchy. We get some pretty good conversations going about friendship and mean people (or people who do mean things, but aren't REALLY mean).
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Eh.
Real good for young kids but a snoozer for teens.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
bad bad bad bad bad!!!!!!!!!
This movie is the worst movie i have ever seen. It's so bad i barfed and i was not sick. Super bad movie!!!!!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
July 20, 2010
AGE
Bad movie. I say High School Musical 1 and High School Musical 3 are tied for the worst.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Too Over-Dramatic
Hey, I'm just glad its over! I think its silly how they make a basketball game look like a life or death situation and they sing so dramaticly... Its just silly. I guess some kids like it, thats ok, but I don't see how it made it to theaturs. The main characters know they're gorgious and just love to show it off. Gabrella is this so sappy, puppy dog face character that only personality is 'flirty and innocent'
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
SUKS!!!
My son's friend's came over and we put it on. AND IT SUCKED!!! My son even didn't want to watch it. But they were guests. My son is not a big Disney fan. Anyways, some kssing and flirting. There is a love story. Lots of HSM brand advertising. Some violence for a G movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
a little better than the rest but...
ok this one is just a pinch better than number 1 and 2 but it is still pritty bad.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Didn't Like This Movie
I saw this in theaters and got bored. I already knew what was going to happen because the comercials make it so obvious and it's mostly the same happy ending everytime!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | friendship, high school, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Kenny Ortega |
| Cast: | Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 23, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | February 17, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
