If I am being honest, it is pretty clear that Zac Efron has come a long way to his role as Kevin Vin Erich in The Iron Claw. He is a legitimate Oscar contender for that role, while he was, let’s say, less than that for High School Musical.

However, while he may not have been too deep here, he had some energy and he did have some chemistry with his co-stars, in particular with Vanessa Anne Hudgens, which helped to elevate this ridiculous high school film.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, “Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), the star athlete at a small-town high school, falls for nerdy beauty Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) at a holiday karaoke party. When they return to campus, Troy and Gabriella audition for the upcoming school musical. Meanwhile, the jealous Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) conspires to squelch their chances. The two must struggle to make it to auditions while also meeting their existing obligations to the basketball team and the academic decathlon.“

I mean… story-wise, this thing is terrible. The high school is pure fantasy, and things happen here that just never would happen in any high school in the world. And I am not just talking about the choreography. It is predictable and the characters are all weak.

However, the music is catchy and fun to listen to. I won’t be remembering it much or buying it on iTunes, but it was fun and enjoyable during the movie. The dancing was great, in particular the big lunch room number. 

It may be way too sugary and these kids would never exist anywhere, but it does have a positive message about doing what makes you happy and acceptance of it. That is an important message to the youth of the world.

I really thought that I would be rolling my eyes at this thing throughout, but it was more engaging than I thought it was going to be. I’m not saying that this was a good movie, but it was not a terrible one either. The weak parts and strong point kind of balance out here. I did not hate myself for watching it, and that is a bonus.