High School Musical 2: 2-Disc Deluxe Dance Edition (Disney DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B+ Telefilm: C+
This is
the third release of the hit Disney Channel original musical High School Musical 2 (one previous DVD
and one previous Blu-ray release) and whereas the extras are pumped way up, in
the end it is certainly just a device to promote the third film arriving in
theaters in October of 2008. There is
not much to say about this sequel. Fans
of the first film will assuredly love the second as it has the same Wildcat
cast returning for another year at East High.
The songs are creative and catchy, the cast in young and charismatic,
and the same unbridled teen pop-fest bursts from the screen with each passing
moment.
With a
cast that was previously unknown and now is considered “star studded,” High School Musical 2 holds its ground
as a friendly family film with a light, airy musical backdrop to hold it
together. Zac Efron (Hairspray), Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley
Tisdale all play their teeny bopper parts obnoxiously well and should have most
viewers tapping their toe to at least a few of the songs. Is it Grease
or Phantom of the Opera? No.
But High School Musical 2 does
keep the tradition of Disney family fun and innovation alive and memorable.
The
technical features are the same as the previous DVD release (in fact Disc-1 is
exactly the same almost), but the true bread and butter for fans are the extras
found on Disc-2. The picture once again
is an adequate but not fantastic 1.33 X 1 full screen (ugh) and though it has
bright colors the image is still very soft.
The sound is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround that is nice, but
after hearing the Blu-ray (which was not perfect itself) it does not compare as
it does not have the same crispness or clarity.
As a side note, the Blu-ray was also presented as a Widescreen and this
film was framed for BOTH full and wide, so why it is not offered as Widescreen
here? The world may never know…nor
understand. Disc-1 still houses extras
such as Bloopers, “Music and More” music videos, a Sing-A-Long feature for each
song, a lackluster Karaoke feature that is similar to the Sing-A-Long but just
words and instrumentals (no picture), and finally a “Backstage Disney” feature
with a rehearsal cam.
Extras on
Disc-2 include High School Musical 3 Sneak Peek, Interactive Dance-Along,
Deleted Scenes, Music Video “All for One,” the Making of the Exclusive Music
Scene, Cast Favorites- Behind the Scenes Featurette, On-Location Shoot, In the
Kitchen – Set Tour, High School Confidential – Never Before Scene Scrap
Book. The extras are overflowing with High School Musical 2ed-ness (is that a
word?) and fans will have hours of fun sifting through the plethora of new
dance worthy features.
Though
this reviewer was never a fan of the High
School Musical films, he can definitely see their appeal. They are poppy, light hearted and filled to
the brim with teen heart throbs…what is there not to like. Whereas the musical is not the most
sophisticated or intelligent venture, it has its moments. Not as memorable as the first film, but on
the same level.
If you
bought the first DVD edition, maybe now is the time to upgrade for the extra
features. If you bought the Blu-ray,
don’t bother. The picture and sound on
the Blu-ray are worth far more than these extras.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
