High School Musical

‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Is Way Better Than It Should Be

by Josh JacksonDecember 20, 2019

Full disclosure: I’m a huge High School Musical fan. I even wrote a list ranking the songs for its 10th anniversary and consider holding the world record for the highest score singing I Don’t Dance in High School Musical 3: Sing It. Just like most fans, I was eagerly awaiting news on the troubled fourth film, but with every delay, rewrite and empty promise, it seemed like we were being forced to abandon the Disney Channel phenomenon faster than you can say Ted Bundy.

Then one day, when creating my account for The Mandalorian App, I saw a peculiar banner for an original show that didn’t take place in a far away galaxy. Titled High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, the absurd name caught my attention while the teenagers with attitude greeting me from the ad made me approach with caution. A whole show based around the admittedly cheesy films that faded close to a decade ago that’s now far outside of my age range? With a new cast and a teen sitcom vibe with none of the original crew on board? Surely this would be terrible. So like any highly skeptical viewer would do, I dove in with an open mind, but with tepid expectations that would surely become something to hate watch. The first episode came and went… and I liked it? Forgoing the lighthearted, over the top vibe of the films in favor of a more grounded, realistic cast of characters made this feel less like a revival and more of an homage, becoming the start of something new while using the familiarity of the films as a backdrop for these new characters.

When it comes to HSMTMTS, think a strange teen smoothie blending High School Musical, Glee and The Office, following a new drama teacher and her students at the “real” East High in Salt Lake City, where the most iconic trilogy in theater was filmed. Using a mockumentary style presentation, the show follows the class as they put together the “first ever” production of HSM at the school where it originated. At the center of this developing musical is Nini, an acting up-and-comer who manages to land the lead roll of Gabriella, Ricky, her skater ex-boyfriend who somehow is cast as Troy while attempting to get his girlfriend back despite having no interest in theater, EJ, Nini’s new boyfriend and all-around all-star who becomes Ricky’s understudy, (much to his detriment), and Gina, the “triple-threat” who doesn’t take the idea of being Nini’s understudy lightly. This creates a situation that’s clearly ripe for drama between the cast, and that’s aside from the Robotics teacher, Mr. Mazzara, having it out for the Glee Clu… I mean the drama department after Ms. Jenn’s production threatens to take away funding and students from his program.

The will they / won’t they dynamic between Nini and Ricky is a central conflict.

Admittedly, the show doesn’t do a whole lot that I’d call unique. As I joked about above, it takes many of its beats from the shows that came before it, with all the teen conflict you’d expect from a high school love triangle. But what makes it stand out above its premise, (and the original films in some ways), is how multi-dimensional it makes its characters. While the characters in Glee or HSM rarely rose above the stereotypical archetypes they were based around. With the show being up to episode 7 as of this writing, every character is vastly different from who they were in episode 1, with reasonable motivations explaining why the characters act the way they do and logical change that stems from their experiences from week to week. The cast constantly has lapses in logic, emotional outburts and moments of clarity, all of which feel not only earned, but more human than we’d expect from a show of this kind. What we’re left with is a show that’s easy to go along for the ride with instead of disliking any direction each student or teacher is going through. Because even at their best (and worst), we know why they’re at the positions we find them, making it easy to root for everyone involved.

Naturally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the music, which shines brighter than I expected. Sure, it has its rough moments, (I’m looking at you, A Billion Sorrys), but the original music in particular shows how effortlessly talented this new cast is. Much of the singing on the show is performed live and written by the actors themselves, which would be impressive enough without them constantly blowing the vocals away. Fun anthems like Born to be Brave steal the show while Wondering will surely make you jealous over Olivia Rodrigo and Julia Lester’s excess talent. Naturally, old songs return with new twists, with each version putting its own spin on the classics that are sprinkled throughout each episode. Sometimes the hardest part about waiting each week is wondering how the new songs will turn out.

The cast is exceedingly talented, the nostalgic soundtrack surprisingly is taking a backseat to some excellent original compositions and the show has enough twists and turns that not only keep me in anticipation from week to week, but has me declaring that each episode is my new favorite like clockwork every Friday. With a season 2 already green lit and the end of season 1 on the horizon, let’s hope that this new class of Wildcats continues to surprise us.

Celebrate 10 Years Of ‘High School Musical’ With The Top 10 Songs In The Series

by Josh JacksonJanuary 20, 2016

Ten years ago when High School Musical premiered, what should have been a throwaway made for TV Disney Channel movie ended up becoming a phenomenon among tweens and tweens at heart. As the latter, at the ripe old age of mid 20’s, a trip to Amoeba Music saw me walk out with a cheap Blu Ray copy of High School Musical 2 out of curiosity. From that point on, I was hooked, consuming everything I could as long as it had to do with the East High Wildcats. Because while the idea seems crazy now that we live in a world with such films as Big Hero 6, Wreck It Ralph and Frozen, there was a time when Disney was having a hard time recapturing the magic that many of us grew up with. For many of us however, HSM came the closest in years to replicate those whimsical musicals I grew up with, effectively becoming its own renaissance for a new generation. Without our obsession with East High, there might not have been a Glee, or this renewed interest in the arts in schools, which is an amazing achievement in itself.

This is huge praise, I know. But before you roll your eyes too hard, know that there’s a reason why the ten year anniversary of the first film is being lauded so much. As the franchise that launched the careers of superstars like Zac Efron, and… Zac Efron, these modest musicals have left an undeniable impact on those who fell in love with Troy, Gabriella, Chad, Taylor, Ryan and Sharpay so long ago, mostly thanks to the music featured in the films. To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of its debut, we compiled the top 10 songs from the franchise! But first…

Honorable Mentions:

Before we show 0ur East High pride with our main list, two songs that didn’t make the original cuts of the first two movies deserve a shout out. One for being one of the most vocally impressive songs on the entire soundtrack, and the other one for being completely embarrassing, which is quite a feat when you’re a grown man watching HSM.

I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You

This bonus track on the first movie’s soundtrack is one of my favorite songs in the entire series for the the fact that it really shows off how well Lucas Grabeel, (Ryan Evans,) can belt out a tune. Despite Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and the melded hybrid of Zac Efron and alternate Troy voice, Drew Seeley are typically the main focus, it was great to hear Lucas shine in this underrated track.

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a

The one song on the entire soundtrack that could simultaneously make you question your taste in entertainment while annoying the crap out of everyone around you. For this reason, Humuhumu is endearing in a strange way. It’s a dumb song, but try not to laugh at yourself while singing along with Sharpay as Ryan’s frustration continues to boil over. Seriously, try it!

Now, on to the celebration! After painstakingly drilling the soundtrack into my ears and pouring dozens of minutes into deep deliberation, here is the definitive High School Musical song list on Geekscape!

10. Stick To The Status Quo

As the song that sets the tone for the rest of the films going forward, Stick To The Status Quo gives the majority of the secondary cast their only time to show off their vocal prowess while making the main characters look REALLY judgemental. In addition to introducing us to Martha, the pop and locking nerd, and Zeke, the jock who loves to bake, it gave us the stoner kid playing the air cello! As one of the big mysteries surrounding HSM, he was never to be seen again. I guess we really aren’t all in this together, especially if you fail a drug test.

9. Now Or Never

One of HSM‘s trademarks is its awesome basketball themed musical numbers. Benefiting from the much higher production budget of the theatrically released High School Musical 3, Now Or Never is like Get Your Head In The Game on steroids. Serving as a high energy introduction leading to the final movie while showing off a badass Troy casually walking through a crowded court while no-look passing, the introduction of the ~~new main~~ character, Jimmy Zara, and Gabriella willing her man out of an asthma attack through the power of song, and you get one of the most memorable scenes in the franchise.

8. I Just Want To Be With You

Naturally, considering all three films are essentially love stories, you can expect duet after duet between the two leads. But while HSM 3 excelled with some incredible ballads between Troy and Gabriella with songs like Right Here, Right Now, and Can I Have This Dance, I Just Want To Be With You had the benefit of hitting an emotional high as the last time we saw the Romeo and Juliet of East High, (minus the suicide,) share a stage together. And did they sure make it count, with simple, yet strong choreography that made you feel like they only had eyes for each other. I mean, I’m sure the fact that Hudgens and Efron were dating at the time didn’t hurt.

7. What I’ve Been Looking For

An often overlooked track in the original film, this song was the how we were introduced to Sharpay and Ryan Evans, the mean girl, (and boy,) of East High. In this alternate universe where the theater majors were the most popular kids in the school, they immediately show why they’re at the top of the ladder with a fast paced, vocally strong track that’s over way too soon. Troy and Gabriella get their own rendition right after, but to anyone with ears, (which apparently excludes Ms. Darbus, the drama teacher,) the Evans kids blew them out of the water this time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q5B8FzRKYU&list=RD7Q5B8FzRKYU

6. Start Of Something New

As the most appropriately named song in the series, Start of Something New is what launched the phenomenon, when an innocent karaoke session turned into the love story of our time. With instant chemistry between Efron and Hudgens, it was impossible not to get sucked into this scene, ignoring certain peculiarities as to how Troy suddenly knew the lyrics half way through despite being glued to the lyrics screen at first, or how this teenage New Year’s party didn’t have a drop of alcohol in sight. Easily one of the most iconic moments across all three films, I can’t think of a better way to hook the audience in. Considering we’re still talking about the movies 10 years later, it did an amazing job, regardless of whether or not it was actually Zac singing.

5. Gotta Go My Own Way

I wasn’t a huge fan of Gabriella’s other solo songs, but MY GOD does this song send you into a downward spiral of sadness. Gotta Go My Own Way accomplishes two things; it further proves that Efron and Hudgens have amazing on screen chemistry through their singing, as well as their acting. I mean Zac alone has this way of showing 1000 different emotions with one longing stare, that’s enough to make our hearts melt when we’re not throwing our underwear at the screen. It’s kind of silly when you realize this song is really just Gabriella quitting her job and going home as opposed to an actual break up song, but that doesn’t make it any less sad when you watch it.

4. Work This Out

Easily my favorite ensemble track, Work This Out has an infectious type of energy that’s only matched by its addicting choreography. I know I can’t be the only one who memorized the steps to this work anthem, one which serves so many purposes. Need an awesome work out song? Bust out the moves at the squat rack and become the envy of the gym! Need a pick me up when life isn’t going your way? Let Troy and company convince you that you can push through it. Do you hate your job? Use Work This Out as a way to convince yourself to just deal with it, no matter how miserable you are! I mean, if the infinitely happy East High kids can get hate work and get through it, then what’s your excuse?

3. Bet On It

The song that made me consider paying for golf just to prance around on the greens, Bet On It gets credit for being awesome in spite of itself. Some of the most flamboyant dance moves you’ll ever see accompany over dramatic angst and awful special effects while exclaiming that Troy won’t lose himself in his pursuit of his basketball dreams. Yet, between every aggressive camera point and grain of sand thrown, it somehow manages to be amazing despite its cheesiness, with one of Efron’s most addicting performances to date. I mean, how can you hate a song that gave us this?

Or this?

How about this?

An unsubstantiated rumor says this scene took all day to shoot and ate up most of High School Musical 2‘s budget. I say it was money well spent.

2. Breaking Free

Out of the numerous duets throughout the films, Breaking Free is easily the standout between all of them. Foiling the plans of their rivals in the Evans twins and even their own friends who were selfishly trying to keep them away from singing to focus on basketball and math… stuff, Troy and Gabriella blow the songs up to that point out of the water with a breathtaking performance that includes such feats as Efron’s pants soaking moonwalk, or Gabriella’s mysteriously disappearing lab coat. I mean, even Troy’s hard ass dad can’t help but be impressed. If Start of Something New was what got our foot in the door, Breaking Free kicked it down, capturing the magic that helped the series become a phenomenon.

1. Scream

Yet, above all else, Scream captures everything there is to love about High School Musical. Effeminate dance moves, a rain storm of basketballs, Zac Efron with his shirt off… I mean, what isn’t there to like? If that wasn’t enough, spinning rooms, punching balls, banging on lockers, a sudden thunder storm and faster stair walking than I could ever hope to achieve help create the closest we ever got to an aggressive version of Troy. Thanks again to the expanded budget of a theatrical film, this High School Musical 3 standout resonated with me in a big way, as the East High star was forced to decide between his lifelong love of basketball and his newfound love of theater. Of course, with Gabriella moving away to college, this number would lead to Troy making his ultimate decision, one that would see these characters off into the sunset, as we would soon after say goodbye to these characters as they moved on to college without us.

https://youtu.be/UTSqRVIwjBs

So from the screams, to the status quo and everything in between, those are our top 10 High School Musical songs. Was there anything we missed, or something we were completely off base with? What are your favorite memories as a Wildcat? Share them with us in the comments, and make sure to tweet your thoughts @geekscapedotnet and @InuJoshua!

As always, what team!? Wildcats! Get your head in the game!

Geekscape Casts The Invincible Movie!

by Matt BlackwoodMarch 31, 2012

Between the increased interest in comic book adaptations and the success of AMC’s The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman is poised to become a real force in Hollywood. So it’s only a matter of time before we see a film version of Kirkman’s other hit comic Invincible.

With the right cast, it could be the next blockbuster franchise. So who would Geekscape like to see bring to life probably the coolest superhero comic book in the universe?

ZAC EFRON as INVINCIBLE

If only the goggles didn't hide those eyes...

Boyish good looks, perfect body, earnest eyes- has there ever been anyone more suited to play a superhero than Zac Efron? The High School Musical heartthrob has yet to find the role to propel him to super-stardom. Playing nascent hero Mark Grayson would require him to display both vulnerability and raw power.

For those who have their doubts about Efron’s acting chops, check out his charming performance in the little-seen Me and Orson Welles.

LYNDSY FONSECA as ATOM EVE

Neither a female iteration of a male character nor a mere damsel in distress, Atom Eve has quickly become one of the strongest women in comics, and Lyndsy Fonseca is the perfect choice to convey that strength on film. Fonseca effortlessly lit up the screen as the girl next door in Kick-Ass, begging the question, “Wouldn’t it be more fun just to watch her kick ass?”

JON HAMM as OMNI-MAN

The moustache is fake. The rest is all Hamm.

Besides being the only man alive handsome enough to be credible as Zac Efron’s dad, Jon Hamm is also one of the finest actors working today. In the past few years, fans have suggested Hamm for the roles of both Superman and Captain America for the same reason he is perfect to play Nolan Grayson, the premier super hero of the world of Invincible: the steel authority he personifies in The Town and Mad Men.

BEBE NEUWIRTH as DEBORAH GRAYSON

Mom I'd Like to Film- wait, that still sounds bad.

Rounding out the best-looking family in movie history, Bebe Neuwirth is ideal to play Mark’s doting mother and Nolan’s long-suffering wife. The Emmy-winning actress is more than capable of portraying the pride and pain of the ultimate bystander.

PETER WELLER as CECIL STEADMAN

A former superhero himself, Weller has been alternating between good guy and sleazeball his entire career. The role of ruthless patriot Cecil Steadman would allow him to split the difference.

KANE HODDER as THE MAULER TWINS

Kane Hodder played Jason Voorhees, the ultimate grunt, in four Friday the 13th films. He would be both fun and intimidating in a Social Network-style dual role as the contrary clones.

ORLANDO JONES as ANGSTROM LEVY

Funnyman Jones is one of those actors whose chameleonic range has kept him from becoming a household name. Playing nice guy scientist-turned-mutated villain Levy would give him the chance to show both his affability and acting chops.

So what do you think? Are you a fan of Invincible? Let us know who YOU’D like to see in a movie version!

Guilty Pleasures: 17 Again

by SaintmortMarch 19, 2012

Every once and a while a movie gets a bad rep strictly do to an actor’s past career. I mean after Batman & Robin did anyone really trust George Clooney? Not really but his career since has been paved in great performances and memorable movies. Zac Efron at this point was only known as the kid from High School Musical. So before this film even came out, the demographic who’d probably laugh the hardest already had turned their back on this film. None of this actually mattered as the film grossed 136 million dollars and only cost 20 million to make.

Most of the movies I pick for Guilty Pleasures tend to have awful rotten tomatoes ratings, 17 Again rests at a 55%, not great but not terrible. The reason I’m defending this one is that as I already said most of the people who would laugh the hardest at this movie have already written it off.

The movie begins in 1989 (you know because they’re playing Bust a Move by Young MC) as Mike O’Donnell prepares for the big basketball game. Mike is the star player and there are some talent scouts in attendance. However when he finds out that his girlfriend Scarlett is pregnant he leaves the game in order to be with her. The movie begins like a typical 80’s comedy ends.

We just two twenty years later. Scarlett is preparing to divorce him and Mike is forced to live with his nerdy best friend Ned Gold. He then loses his job and the respect of his children Maggie and Alex. When he’s life seems at it’s worse a mysterious janitor turns him into his 17 year old self.

Mike takes advantage of this chance to restart his life and attends his kid’s high school under the alias Mark Gold (posing as Ned’s son). Mike befriends his kids in order to be near Scarlett. Maggie begins to fall in love with him which creates some of the strangest potential incest in recent history.

This all seems like cliche’ high school teen flick/fantasy, and for the most part it is. In fact the film should be mediocre at best, but it’s not and it’s not because of one man, Thomas Lennon. The former member of The State plays Ned Gold, Mike O’Donnell rich but nerdy best friend.

Thomas_Lennon_Landspeeder_17_Again — Thomas Lennon Sleeps in Style

His character is everything that we wish to be as nerds. A Landspeeder bed, every video game system and well… loaded. Any second he’s on film is absolutely hilarious and thankfully they packed the film with him. Unlike a show like Big Bang Theory there’s never a point where he feels like a mocking of geekdom, his character is smart and successful (though slightly socially awkward).

If you’ve been avoiding this movie assuming it’s High School Musical 4 then you’re wrong and need to give this movie a chance.

Tell use about your guilty pleasure in the official thread

When he’s not watching Zac Efron movies Matt Kelly is writing in his blog Pure Mattitude, Tweeting and hosting his podcast The Saint Mort Show.