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High School Musical 2 (TV)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray A - America - Buena Vista Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Pat Pilon (16th January 2008). |
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The Film
 I remember the 2006 Christmas shopping season. I was working a second job at a music store to earn extra money to pay some bills. One day my girlfriend (at the time) came in to pay me a visit. I walked with her as we made our way over to the DVD's. She told me about movies she liked, and I was thinking of what to surprise her with for Christmas. When we got to the showcase section where the Disney films are kept, she saw a copy of "High School Musical" (2006) and started talking about it. I was 36 years old, and she was only 11 months younger than me. Still, she had seen "High School Musical" and was telling me about it. She was really into these Disney made-for-cable movies. Right then, I had decided to get it for her for Christmas. The only difference was that she didn't end up with the copy she had found. I ended up finding out that there was a Special Edition forthcoming and got her that instead. Then I found out later that "High School Musical 2" (2007) was going to be released on DVD. My girlfriend and I have since parted ways, but I was paying attention just the same. I also knew that people were probably wasting their time getting this DVD, because I had a gut feeling, Disney had double-dipped for the first "High School Musical" so what was to say that they wouldn't do it for the sequel? "High School Musical 2" (1:50:58) is re-presented in an Extended Edition, which puts ten minutes of additional footage back into the movie. Having never seen any version of "High School Musical", I have no clue as to what those scenes are. The story here takes place one year later from the original "High School Musical", which starts out with the students about ready to end the school year at East Side High. No sooner does this happen, the entire student body breaks out into the first musical number, when this is done, the East Side Wildcats, Troy Bolton (Zac Elfon), Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu) and Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman) talk about plans for the summer. Many of them realize that they have to get summer jobs to help with their upcoming college expenses. The Wildcats, led by Troy, end up getting those summer jobs at the Lava Spring Country Club after he gets an unexpected call. He is still with his girlfriend and fellow Wildcat, Gabriella, from the original movie. Little do the Wildcats realize that their summer jobs were arranged by club owner Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) who wants Troy at the club by any means necessary. Unfortunately, she has to put up with the rest of the Wildcats since Troy won't come without them. At the club, there is a talent competition. At first, Troy doesn't want any part of it. But when Gabriella starts a musical number it's only natural that Troy joins in. He then agrees to do the talent competition only if the other Wildcats are in on it too. From there, Sharpay is out to make sure that things go her way, with the help of her brother Ryan (Lucas Gabreel). This means winning the talent competition and winning Troy from Gabriella. One of the things that I liked about "High School Musical 2" was the way that almost every scene gives you the feeling that you're watching it on the stage. The choreography for the musical numbers were well rehearsed, which tells me that a lot of time and dedication went into each performance. Another thing I liked was that you didn't need to watch the first "High School Musical" in order to see the sequel; it pretty much stands on its own. If you want to find out how it all started, then it would warrant a viewing. Also, you can tell it's a Disney-made movie, because there's always a story to be told with values and lessons to be learned. The only thing I've often wondered is why neither "High School Musical" nor its sequel where ever released theatrically, instead of as made-for-Disney Channel-movies? I've thought about it, and I've thought about it. I just can't come up with any reasons to dislike this movie. The story just keeps flowing and flowing. When you keep the viewers attention from the opening credits to the end of the film then that says something. Okay, if I HAVE to give a dislike, it was watching Troy being seduced by the luxuries of the club that Sharpay threw at him. But that's all part of being human. And as much as I hate to say it, I really LOVED this movie. I may have to rent the first "High School Musical" and fill in the blanks. This release of "High School Musical 2" is an Extended Version and features ten more minutes not in the original cut that was broadcast. Since I haven't seen the original DVD release, I don't know what extras were included. Check out the features and extras listed below and decide if this is right for you. The extras are mostly karaoke numbers, music videos and behind-the-scenes choreography. The kids may enjoy these extras. If you're an adult, then it depends on your individual taste. I myself wasn't much into the extra features, but I'll give a fair grade just the same.
Video
1.78:1 widescreen. The production having the year it does, looks amazing. The colours pop out of the screen. The pink everything Sharpay are beyond vivid, yet the folds and pleats are all discernable. The contrast is very natural, giving the bright colours their best hues. Skin tones in a few scenes may seem a bit flat, but this is a small problem. The picture shows absolutely no print problems. So, no specks or blemishes, and the digital work also goes unseen. There's no edge enhancement and no noise at all. Grain is also non-existent. From start to finish, the movie looks great.
Audio
An English PCM 5.1 (6.9 mbps) track is provided, as are three Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in English, French and Spanish (640 kbps each). It doesn't take very long for the music to start and when it starts, the PCM track starts to shine. The music is very loud and clear. The bass has a nice presence, but never overextends itself to annoyance. The 5.1 speakers are used in full in the musical scenes, enveloping you in their nice, sweet pop-flavoured sweetness. Other scenes have some soft rustling of kitchen or nature sounds, to add a little bit of natural ambiance. The movie, though, isn't about subtlety, and track follows suit : it's overall very robust and should satisfy anybody listening to it. English (HoH), French and Spanish subtitles are provided.
Extras
Buena Vista Home Entertainment has released this film with extras that include a music only track, bloopers, an exclusive scene, music videos, a sing-a-long section, rehearsal cam footage, a sneak peek and some bonus trailers. Below is a closer look at these supplements. There is a fourth audio track presented in which only the sounds, this music only track is for the numbers (no voices) and the soundtrack music (voices presented). This is audio track 4 and is also in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. Next up is a bloopers reel, this option gives you 4 minutes 11 seconds of footage. "Music & More" is a sub-section that offers you these choices: - "Humuhumunukunukuapua's" an exclusive scene which runs for 5 minutes 12 seconds, this musical number didn't appear in the original cut of film featuring Sharpay making another attempt to work her charms on Troy. English subtitles and Karaoke subtitles are available. 4 music videos are next (not subtitled): - "You Are the Music In Me" (USA) which runs for 3 minutes 30 seconds. - "You Are the Music In Me" (Mexico) which runs for 3 minutes 41 seconds. - "Gotta Go My Own Way)" (Canada-French) which runs for 3 minutes 46 seconds. - "Gotta Go My Own Way)" (Canada-English) which runs for 3 minutes 46 seconds. Sing-along with the movie" gives you these 12 musical numbers. These include English subtitles and Karaoke subtitles, the scenes from the film include: - "What Time Is It?" which runs for 3 minutes 38 seconds. - "What Time Is It? Pt.2" which runs for 38 seconds. - "Fabulous" which runs for 3 minutes 20 seconds. - "Work This Out" which runs for 3 minutes 10 seconds. - "You Are the Music In Me" which runs for 3 minutes 27 seconds. - "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a" which runs for 3 minutes 30 seconds. - " I Don't Dance" which runs for 4 minutes. - "You Are the Music In Me" (Sharpay Version) which runs for 2 minutes 33 seconds. - "Gotta Go My Own Way" which runs for 3 minutes 33 seconds. - "Bet On It" which runs for 3 minutes 19 seconds. - "Everyday" which runs for 4 minutes 39 seconds. - "All For One" which runs for 4 minutes 18 seconds. "Backstage Disney" is the next sub-section and this option gives you these choices: Rehearsal cam segments gives you the rehearsal footage for these numbers. If you select the "Bounce To the Movie" option, you will see the rehearsal footage first and then be taken to the part of the movie to see the finished scene. When you select the "Play All" option, you will see a 1 minute 8 seconds introduction by director/choreographer Kenny Ortega. The segments include: - "What Time Is It?" which runs for 5 minutes. - "Fabulous" which runs for 3 minutes 36 seconds. - "Work This Out" which runs for 3 minutes 41 seconds. - "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a" which runs for 3 minutes 5 seconds. - "I Don't Dance" which runs for 2 minutes 58 seconds. - "You Are the Music In Me" (Reprise) which runs for 5 minutes 15 seconds. - "Bet On It" which runs for 3 minutes 52 seconds. - "Everyday" which runs for 2 minutes 57 seconds. - "All For One" which runs for 4 minutes 15 seconds. "Phineas and Ferb" is a sneak peak and runs for 2 minutes 1 seconds, this Disney Channel preview features "High School Musical 2" star Ashley Tisdale, who will be voicing one of the characters. Rounding out the extras are some bonus trailers for: - "101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition" (1:21) - "Twitches Too" (0:56) - "Underdog" (2:05) - "Cinderella 2: Dreams Come True: Special Edition" (1:02) - "Tinker Bell" (0:47) - "Snow Buddies" (2:15) - "Hannah Montana: Life's What You Make It" (1:23) - "The Aristocats: Special Edition" (1:10) - "Disney" spot (0:52) - "Disney Blu-Ray" spot (2:29) - "Disney Movie Rewards" (0:33)
Overall
Film and extra reviewed by Rob Fields, technical specs reviewed by Pat Pilon.
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