High School Musical 3: Senior Year

For countless ‘tweens, this effervescent three-quel won't just be a fun movie but something more akin to a religious experience (although adults won't necessarily have the same reaction). Teeming with what one critic called “weapons-grade wholesomeness,” Kenny Ortega's HSM 3 unfortunately doesn't match its made-for-TV predecessors in energy, humor, or inventiveness. The story launches with our favorite high-school kids mulling over their options for college. Good-girl Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens, cuter than ever) is accepted at Stanford, but boyfriend Troy (Zac Efron) is torn between applying to Juilliard or settling for a basketball scholarship to a less demanding school. Much of the film revolves around the school's big spring musical, in which every senior will play himself or herself—hoping to attract the attention of talent scouts from Juilliard in the audience. The customary HSM intrigue is once again supplied through the machinations of Gabriella's sworn enemy, the witchy Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), whose fashion-challenged brother Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) continues to sport a dazzling array of fedoras, argyle sweaters, and fluorescent-shade pants. While the writing lacks the freshness of the original, HSM 3 will surely appeal to its target audience. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Night of Nights” featurette on the prom (8 min.), deleted scenes (7 min.), “Cast Goodbyes” (6 min.), an “It's All In the Dress” costume featurette (3 min.), bloopers (3 min.), and a sing-along function. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are 14 minutes of new cast profiles, brief behind-the-scenes clips in “Senior Awards” (2 min.), the BD Live function, and trailers. The Blu-ray version also includes a bonus disc DVD version of the film and a digital copy. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a so-so big screen threequel.] (E. Hulse)