Roush on High School Musical 2, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
Question: I wanted to respond to your
High School Musical 2 comments. Unlike
Jena, I didn't mind the song-tastic start to the movie and, like you, I did mind the long songless middle. I felt that the middle was a whole lot of
Teen Beat cover boy
Zac Efron brooding and emoting, with not enough singing. It's when the movie finally takes an Efron break for the baseball diamond showdown between Ryan (
Lucas Grabeel) and Chad (
Corbin Bleu) that the movie actually gets its fun back. According to recent reports, the leads (Efron and his magazine-cover costar
Vanessa Hudgens) are apparently going for more cash to return for
HSM3. I know Efron and Hudgens sell magazines, but is their romance really (or does it
have to be) what advances the movies? For me,
HSM has always been about the peripherals, like hat-loving Ryan, food-cooking Zeke, piano-playing Kelsey and move-busting Martha. Considering the fact that youngsters will flock to Disney's mega-franchise no matter what, can't they make a third movie without a certain two cover kids?
— DJ
Matt Roush: The franchise probably could carry on without its marquee stars, and while I don't pretend to be keeping up with the latest rumors about these new media sensations, I certainly hope it doesn't come to that just yet. Several critics have likened the
HSM2 stars to a new-century version of
Frankie and
Annette (Avalon and Funicello, for those too young to remember the
Beach Party movies), and there's a reason. While you might be able to imagine the movies carrying on without them, and it's nice to be able to lean on a colorful supporting cast, there would be a big void to fill, especially where the romantic swoon factor is concerned. I just know I'd hate trying to explain to my goddaughter why Zac Efron isn't in the next
High School Musical. Disney, back up that Brinks truck right now!
