About High School Musical

Wikipedia has this to say about HSM1:

High School Musical is an Emmy Award-winning American television film, and the first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful movie that Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and the feature film High School Musical 3: Senior Year released theatrically in October 2008. It is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to have a theatrical sequel.

With a plot described by the author and numerous critics as a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, High School Musical is a story about two high school juniors from rival cliques � Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), a beautiful and shy transfer student who excels in math and science.[7] Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the school. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick to the status quo."

Why I love the movie

Most importantly, I'm a huge fan because the movie theme addresses an issue significant to many adolescents, but quite overlooked by adults: the desire to know oneself. What the movie endorses is that teenage identity is not equated to nor limited by reputation. Young people need to explore the many aspects of themselves and of the world, to learn new (good) things that spark the passion within them. I think that's the most important message, for teenagers to not be mindless drones boxed by what other people (their parents, friends, or even society) want them to be, but that they should be allowed to decide for themselves.

That's exactly what Troy, Gabriella, and the other characters (in the very amusing "Status Quo" dance number) did. Personally I think Troy is just fighting for Gabriella, period. :) Their love story is really what reeled me in. It's exactly like what Gabriella described their initial meeting: "like kindergarten." Their friendship is just so clean, without pretenses -- the root of their love is that they can just be each other when they are together, and that just speaks volumes as to what high school relationships should be founded on, instead of the usual reasons of lust and a good time. The fact that Troy and Gabriella found each other through music makes one the other's song, and it's impossible not to feel all warm and fuzzy when the friendship deepened into love.

Some would say the entire movie is quite juvenile, and it's a far cry from what high school REALLY is like, especially in America. But I argue that that is precisely what makes the film click. It does not represent a false reality; rather, it proposes an alternative universe that is entirely believable if everybody would just commit to positivity. (Of course, a little song and dance on the side couldn't hurt, either. :)