DCOM Flashback Fridays: Ray J's Review - "High School Musical 2"

🎶WHAT TIME IS IT?🎶 Well, unfortunately it's time for the final DCOM Flashback Friday review until next year, but maybe, just maybe I saved the best for last🤔 This week I am revisiting the second entry of Disney Channel's most popular, and iconic film franchise, "High School Musical 2"😄🎶🎬 This time around, school's out for summer!

HSM 2 follows Troy (played by Zac Efron), Gabriella (played by Vanessa Hudgens), Sharpay (played fabulously by Ashley Tisdale), Ryan (played by Lucas Grabeel), Chad (played by Corbin (Bleu), Taylor (played by Monique Coleman), Kelsi (played by Olesya Rulin), and the rest of the wildcats as they burst out the doors of East High into a summer they will never forget (for better or for worse). With the wildcats all searching for summer jobs, Sharpay cooks up a plan to get closer to Troy by having him secretly hired to work for her family's stunning, (albeit) super snooty country club, "Lava Springs". Appreciative of the opportunity, although not realizing that Sharpay is behind the plotting of his hiring, Troy convinces the club's manager Mr. Fulton (played by Mark L. Taylor) to let more of his school mates come work at the country club, but most importantly Gabriella. Sharpay, unaware of the situation, fantasizes about the most "Fabulous" summer that is to come, until that fantasy becomes a nightmare when she see's Troy strut in with Chad, Kelsi, Taylor, Martha (played by Kaycee Stroh...ya know the nerdy girl from the first movie who confessed she loves to "breakdance") and dozes more of her class mates from East High...even being as extra to fall into the pool when she realizes Gabriella is the new lifeguard😂 Not happy about the situation, Sharpay takes her frustration to Mr. Fulton, who then makes it his duty to be overly strict with the wildcats (except Troy is to receive special treatment - per orders from Shapray). Troy, being the leader that he is, gives everyone a pep talk (of course in the form of song), letting them know that everything will be okay if they can just 🎶Work This Out🎶. Mostly everyone is hating their jobs (besides Troy) but all having their own reasons for wanting to keep them, the wildcats try to find the bright side in the situation🙂 Then comes to light the news of an employee talent show (which Sharpay, who's not an employee, has won every year😒). Kelsi has prepared a lovely new duet for Troy and Gabriella, who agree to join in on the fun, until Sharpay finds out and begins to pull Troy away from his friends, and Gabriella, every chance she can get. Sharpay then introduces Troy to her parents, bragging on him and his basketball accomplishments. Eventually (being the big deals that they are) Mr. and Mrs. Evans have Troy connecting with the University of Albuquerque senior basketball team, and begin talks about a possible scholarship. While Troy is appreciative of the Evan's family, he can feel himself becoming a different person that he doesn't want to be, which makes Gabriella, Chad, and the rest of the wildcats feel like maybe they aren't all in the together anymore😕🎶🎤

Director Kenny Ortega takes the wildcats out of East High for summer time perfectly in this superior, visually appealing, more grounded sequel! While the first film will always be the most iconic, "High School Musical 2" amps up the fun, while still maintaining the wholesome heart of the original, and featuring just as memorable songs!

This time around Ashley Tisdale (as Sharpay Evans) really gets to shine, and is in my opinion the stand out character of this sequel! The "Fabulous" scene is probably the best and most creative musical performance here (unless you count the extended version of the movie which is the version I watched - it's on Disney + - then "HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A" is hilariously iconic as well😂🐠)

My personal favorite musical moments of "High School Musical 2" are the opening number "What Time Is It" which see's the wildcats counting down the seconds until summertime is finally here, "Fabulous" a.k.a Sharpay's theme, Work This Out (a peppy musical number in the country club's kitchen), "I Don't Dance", a surprising duet between Chad & Ryan during a the country club employee baseball game, "You Are The Music In Me" (Sharpay & Troy Version) not gonna lie this version is a bop and far superior to the Troy/Gabriella duet version, and "Bet On It" (a super cheesy moment in the film as Troy contemplates the decisions he's made, but the song is a BOP and a half).

Consensus: "High School Musical 2" is honestly better than the original😄🎶🎵💚 The music is poppier and catchy (not as broadway sounding), the scenic cinematography is delightful, and Ashley Tisdale shines extra fabulous as Sharpay Evans this time around.

P.S - Someday soon I will review "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (my favorite of the franchise)

😄🔮🎶🎵

The Ray J's Reviews rating is

5 out of 5 Bursts of DCOM Wand ID Magic

💚✨💚✨💚