Aric Jenkins The Ringer Apr 25, 2023

The original High School Musical may have started it all, but its sequel is the movie that permanently etched those songs into the millennial consciousness.

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Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Jul 5, 2021

The music is catchy and the cast likable

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Gordon Farrer The Age (Australia) Sep 10, 2019

It's an irrepressibly colourful and upbeat effort and the result is Grease meets Fame meets Annette Funicello and Elvis Presley, for 8-to-12-year-olds.

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Tom Folley Radio Times Sep 10, 2019 3/5

The musical numbers are ready-made for single release, the performances, as before, are energetic, and the minor characters are given extra screen time, making the action more rounded. All in all, it's a squeaky-clean delight.

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OC Register Staff Orange County Register Sep 10, 2019

While it'll satisfy its target demographic to no end, there's something lacking, where, instead of a soul, there's nothing more than the contrived emotionless plastic of a well-oiled money-making machine.

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Gretchen McKay Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sep 10, 2019

Not quite as innocent as the first installment, [High School Musical 2] will appeal to a slightly older crowd. The conflicts are more realistic, and the stakes are higher, and there are even a few scenes dripping with teenage angst.

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Barry Garron The Hollywood Reporter Sep 10, 2019

High School Musical 2, like the original, does well by doing good. While Disney coffers swell, these movies inspire a new generation to think seriously about dance and about the impact of drama laced with music.

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Diane Werts Newsday Sep 10, 2019

[High School Musical 2] succeeds as what it's designed to be - a good-enough-for-the-kids, clean-enough-for-the-parents, profitable-enough-for-Disney product.

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Gloria Goodale Christian Science Monitor Sep 10, 2019 B

The kids are just as photogenic and the songs are just as hummable. It won't launch any more careers, but it's a good family film for a warm Friday night

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Bullz-Eye Staff Bullz-Eye.com Sep 10, 2019 1/5

If you loved the first one, you'll love [High School Musical 2] too, as it's filled with more of the same obnoxious songs and dance routines with nary a hint of entertaining "acting" to be seen.

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Belinda Acosta Austin Chronicle Sep 10, 2019

I could go into an analysis of why this musical makes me gag, but frankly, there are so many things I like about it. I like the fact that it has a diverse cast. The big production numbers are suitably toe-tapping and fun to watch.

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David Wiegand San Francisco Chronicle Sep 10, 2019

There are more than a few high notes in the sequel, but there are also some flat notes as well. But, again, no matter: Kids will gobble it up like last year's Halloween candy anyway. They could do a lot worse.

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Joanne Ostrow Denver Post Sep 10, 2019

Like the original, the sequel is about the tricky social order as established in high school, the renewable energy source that is the musical, and the power of a certain American entertainment empire. Not fabulous, but fun.

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Charlie McCollum San Jose Mercury News Sep 10, 2019

Overall, the sequel has such energy that it's hard not to get caught up in it.

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Gillian Flynn Entertainment Weekly Sep 10, 2019 C

I wanted to enjoy High School Musical 2 as much as I enjoyed High School MusicalWell, bummer for me! This inevitable sequel feels too simplistic, too low-bar.

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Richard Corliss TIME Magazine Sep 10, 2019

At best, it's an honorable sequel to the thing of last year -- but I'm pleased it exists, and more tickled that the franchise is so successful.

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Kelly West CinemaBlend Sep 10, 2019

All in all, for a sequel, I think Disney did a great job of bringing back the same energetic, squeaky-clean charm that drove the first High School Musical to its initial success.

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Michael Fairbanks The Young Folks Sep 10, 2019 7/10

High School Musical 2 is more confident in its absurd premise and as such, is a much more entertaining film than the first. It's a goofy summer romp that knows exactly what it is and relishes in that.

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Richard Smith Guardian Sep 10, 2019

[High School Musical 2] is a movie with a strong political message: the pursuit of happiness comes not through competition but through harmony and cooperation.

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Laura Fries Variety Feb 23, 2012

High School Musical 2 actually surpasses the first movie in sheer energy and verve.

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