Kate Halliwell The Ringer Apr 25, 2023

School spirit is forever, though. May the legacy of the East High Wildcats never die.

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Kate Robertson The Post NZ Aug 10, 2021

If a pre-teen in your life hasn't seen this coming-of-age classic, it's time to sit down and educate them.

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Nick Levine Digital Spy Sep 10, 2019

High School Musical is kitsch, sexless and hopelessly clichéd, but it manages to offer a giddy sense of fun to a generation that's overdosing on seriousness.

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Liam Underwood Flickering Myth Sep 10, 2019 3/5

Sure, it has its flaws... but the film skilfully crafts an exuberant uplifting climax that results in a warm smile-inducing feeling that remains after the credits have rolled, and sometimes that's all a film needs to do.

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Laura Fries Variety Sep 10, 2019

Although the plot's not particularly novel, writer Peter Barsocchini's script maintains the fantasy elements while incorporating topical and relevant themes into the story.

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Screen It! staff Screen It! Sep 10, 2019 6.5/10

While [High School Musical] will inspire more than a few choice eye rolls from parents, its messages are far healthier for kids, particularly at the impressionable "tween" stage, than many of its competitors.

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Sloan Freer Radio Times Sep 10, 2019 3/5

Adults may be bewildered by the film's runaway success, however for youngsters the catchy songs, gentle humour and overall vibrancy are likely to prove an irresistible combination.

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Edward Perkis CinemaBlend Sep 10, 2019 2/5

Ok, they don't need to reinvent the wheel, but it is somewhat ironic that the main theme of the flick is not sticking to the status quo (there is even a whole song about it) while all you see are recycled ideas and stereotypical characters.

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Bullz-Eye Staff Bullz-Eye.com Sep 10, 2019 3/5

The film can seem a bit preachy at times, and because this is a Disney-produced feature, the cheese factor is turned way up. Still, the music isn't half bad considering most of the songs contain lyrics like "Everyone is special in their own way."

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Meredith Borders Birth.Movies.Death. Sep 10, 2019

The direction, by Footloose choreographer and Gilmore Girls director Kenny Ortega, has about as much depth as you'd expect from a Disney Channel original movie, but the film's energetic and lively.

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Michael Drucker IGN Sep 9, 2019

Unless you have a kid under the age of seven, you'll probably find High School Musical a little too cheesy for its own good.

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Anita Gates New York Times Sep 9, 2019

It would be unfair not to salute the movie's message about broadening one's horizons and not being limited by stereotypes or peer pressure. But when an admirable message is packaged in such treacle, it just makes the message seem treacly, too.

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Noel Murray AV Club Sep 9, 2019 B

Mostly, High School Musical makes an appealing case for an idealized vision of high school, where individuality is celebrated and even the mean kids know everyone's name.

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Lucy Maher Common Sense Media Sep 9, 2019 4/5

What infuses this movie with much of its spunk are [Zac] Efron's and [Vanessa Anne] Hudgens' lively performances; both come across as friendly, well-adjusted, and immensely likable.

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Ryan Cracknell Movie Views Feb 28, 2009

Pop fluff intended for kids stuck between Dora the Explorer and Gossip Girl. Consider it a bonus that it's tolerable, if not fun, for the rest of us as well.

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Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Feb 14, 2009 2.5/4

There's no denying the tween audience was hungering for this movie, without even knowing it. [Blu-ray]

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Felix Vasquez Jr. Film Threat Jul 10, 2007

[High School Musical] is a simplistic, and single minded teen romp filled with Disney channel regulars that disappears from your collective memory minutes after viewing it.

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Emma Cochrane Empire Magazine Dec 30, 2006 2/5

As a marketing phenomenon, this has exceeded all expectations for a TV movie. However as cinema... maybe you just really need to be a teen to get it.

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Scott Weinberg DVDTalk.com Dec 10, 2006 2.5/5

A schmaltzy little piece of obvious fluff that's directed in truly horrendous fashion and populated by cardboard characters who spit out simplistic platitudes and breathy pop tunes.

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David Cornelius DVDTalk.com May 28, 2006 3/5

For all its ungainliness, its cheesiness, its silliness, High School Musical is undoubtedly a great big heap of fun.

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