This is part of a series of No Shame Movie Reviews. For reasons I won’t speculate and rant about now, we have been told that only some movies are worth enjoying. Only artsy movies with a meaningful and/or ambiguous message, perhaps. To that, I say phooey. I say that you should be able to watch and enjoy any movie you want – from low-budget children’s movies to dramas about the hopelessly romantic. If you enjoy them, then why the heck should you not be able to watch them without shame?
High School Musical is one of those movies that has become a touchstone for our generation. I mean, I quoted it in my speech at high school graduation for crying out loud. Its soundtrack was the number one selling album in 2006. More than 225 MILLION people around the world have High School Musical. For a TV movie made by a kids’ channel, that’s pretty darn impressive.
Everyone loves High School Musical, even (especially?) if they deny liking it.
The tenth anniversary happened just a week or so ago, and, of course, my friends and I decided to celebrate. We ordered pizza and watched the movie in our dorm lounge. We all knew every word, and to be honest most of the dances too. We were able to just let loose and remember how fun it was to be ten years old and watch this movie for the very first time. We didn’t have to think about our homework or stress or anything like that. We could just sit back, sing along, and watch Troy and Gabriella fall in love all over again.
High School Musical is all about trying something new, about not being pigeon-holed into whatever other people expect you to be. It’s about supporting your friends in whatever they want to do, even if you’re a little wary. It’s about taking chances and not ignoring something that could be wonderful just because it’s kind of scary too.
I’m sure you’ve already seen High School Musical (but if you haven’t, go watch it immediately), so you don’t really need me going on and on about how fantastic and wonderful a movie it is. You already know that.
I guess what I’m really here to do is to remind you about it, and about all those other Disney Channel movies and shows that we watched in middle school. I’m here to tell you that sometimes it’s just great to watch something fun for fun’s sake. To remember what it was like to be a kid again. To not be afraid to still love the movies that you loved when you were ten years old. Because, after all these years, they’re still worth watching.
That’s why I’m writing these movie reviews every week – because I’m not going to lie about the movies I like just because they’re not foreign, or award-winning, or whatever. I enjoy the movies I enjoy, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
What was your favorite Disney Channel Original Movie? If you have an idea for a DCOM, or any other adorable/cheesy/romantic/kids/underrated/silly/just plain wonderful movie for me to review, make sure and let me know!
Photos: Amazon, E! Online, ChartRigger.blogspot