The High School Musical Phenomenon

Disney just released High School Musical 2. If you are like me and have school age children, this was an event rivaled only by Christmas!

If you have not seen it, let me get you up to speed. The story essentially revolves around two attractive teenagers and their attractive friends. Troy and Gabriella are the leads (played by Zach Efron and Vanessa Hudgens) and are constantly in conflict with Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and twin brother Ryan Evans (Lucas Grabeel). Troy and Gabriella are nice kids who sing unbelievably well together (yes, their actual voices) and are trying to find their niche in their school.

Many of the kids who watch these movies have no idea what the following reference is, but it reminds me very much of the excitement that surrounded the movie Grease with a young John Travolta and Olivia Newton John as the attractive young couple. There are many similarities. Obviously, both heavily rely on music to shape the story. Both involve kids who come from different backgrounds to find each other. I found there to be many other similarities as I watched High School Musical.

Disney is one of those things where there is no middle ground. You either drink the Disney punch, or you don't! Personally, I think the productions they put out are great for young kids. Almost all of their Disney orignal television programs and movies have some kind of a moral lesson in them. This would be in stark contrast to some channels for kids which teach violence and rude behavior.

It is also a neat experience for the kids because we live in a time that is run by the internet. There are places on the Disney Web page where you can find out more about the stars and the kids can go to these sites and play games and create yearbooks and the like.

Now I know some of you are saying, "Hey, weren't Justin and Brittany mouse club members when they were little. Man, look how they turned out! Yes, it is true these are not necessarily the people I want my kids to emulate themselves after, but that is my job as a parent. To me, if a kid is having a good time and is not doing something wrong, mean or rude I am pretty much ok with that.