With High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on the horizon, I’m feeling all nostalgic about the original films.
With pitched-up vocals and extreme saturation, High School Musical 2’s journey to Palm Springs for the school holidays was the most captivating thing a pre-teen could have ever been exposed to. Here’s why it’s the best High School Musical film out of the trilogy:
Fans Helped Design The Film
This was innovation at its finest. High School Musical fans got to throw their hand in the ring when it came to choosing crucial plot elements, by logging on and voting.
If you voted, you were part of the lucky crew that got to decide what kind of sandwich Troy makes for Gabriella on the golf course, what was written on Mrs. Darbus’ chalkboard and most importantly, what cool sayings were on Chad’s t-shirts. Go us!
Miley Cyrus Was In It
Yes, before ‘Wrecking Ball’ and all that Liam Hemsworth drama, Miley Cyrus starred in High School Musical 2…for about two seconds.
Fans were able to vote for which Hannah Montana star they wanted to see in the film (as if there was any chance we’d pick Emily Osment, no shade). Even though Miley won the vote and made a cameo in HSM 2, she still had no idea who was in the cast.
This Is One For The Gays
While Sharpay Evans could be considered a gay icon now, the films indulgence into queerness is best illuminated through Chad & Ryan’s “I Don’t Dance”.
This flirty banger of a number is packed to the brim with queer metaphors. As Ryan bats for the other team (wink wink), he does so whilst breaking down Chad’s negative ill-advised, preconceived thoughts on dancing. By the end of the song, the two of them have swapped outfits and the metaphor for sexual fluidity is complete. Disney Channel in 2007 was wild; if only we could’ve seen them get to first base.
Inner Turmoil Never Sounded This Good
It’s hard to shake off an existential crisis, but Troy Bolton seems to have it all figured out in High School Musical 2. For this angsty teen, it seems the best way of engaging in personal reflection is through cartwheels, spins and staring at your own reflection in a puddle of water.
“Bet On It” was the expression of anger that all of us theatre kids needed when the rest of you lot were listening to My Chemical Romance.
Zac Efron Actually Sings
With undeniable chemistry, Zanessa were destined to play the roles of Troy and Gabriella together. But, with an inability to sing at a high register, Disney were are a crossroads with what to do with Zac Efron.
They had two options, either: get Zac to lip-sync someone else’s vocals or pitch the songs down a key. For the first movie, they went with the former, with Drew Seeley taking the high notes and getting 15 minutes of HSM fame in the process.
But, for the second movie, Disney went with the latter, giving us more bangers with a more authentic Wildcats sound. And let’s be real, the sequel’s songs are so much better.
I rest my case. High School Music 2 is iconic.