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Movies / On DVD / High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year

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High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)

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Reviews Counted:123

Fresh:82

Rotten:41

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: It won't win many converts, but High School Musical 3 is bright, energetic, and well-crafted.

Australian Rating: G

Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Australian Theatrical Release:
Dec 4, 2008 Wide

US Box Office: $90,535,406

Synopsis: The first HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL movie to be released straight to the silver screen, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 finds the cast of the beloved earlier installments, all students at East High, dealing with... The first HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL movie to be released straight to the silver screen, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 finds the cast of the beloved earlier installments, all students at East High, dealing with the ups and downs of senior year. While all the characters have their own dilemmas, the central issue, as in past films, is the relationship between sweethearts Troy (Zac Efron), the captain of East High's Wildcats basketball team, and the bookish Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), who face the possibility of imminent separation when Gabriella gets a chance to attend college early. With this third outing in the wildly popular Disney series, director Kenny Ortega takes full advantage of HSM3's big-screen leap, staging musical numbers that go far beyond the scope of the movie's predecessors (see the lavish "I Want It All" by resident East High diva Sharpay, played by Ashley Tisdale). While the series regulars are in fine form and a few new characters are introduced, the film really belongs to Efron, who gets the most screen time and is clearly on a trajectory for stardom beyond HSM. Rather than hold back their budding leading man, the creators and producers of HSM3 let Efron take the spotlight, much to the movie's advantage. Designed to welcome the few viewers who might be unfamiliar with HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, SENIOR YEAR certainly offers plenty of valedictory excitement, and will leave fans giddy with delight. [More]

Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel

Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed, Olesya Rulin, Chris Warren, Ryne Sanborn, Kaycee Stroh, Matt Prokop, Justin Martin, Jemma McKenzie-Brown

Director: Kenny Ortega

Director: Kenny Ortega
Screenwriter: Peter Barsocchini
Producer: William R. Borden, Barry Rosenbush
Composer: David Lawrence
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

[See More Credits]

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    The High School Musical Phenomenon
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    "Now Or Never" Music Video
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    5 Faves with Zac and Corbin
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  • Invitation
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    I Want It All
    >
    Rocketman
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    Sharp Haaaay
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  • The Boys Are Back
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    The Night of Nights
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    Interview: Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens
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    Interview: Monique Coleman and Olesya Rulin
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  • UK Video Interviews
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    Review Revue - 10/23/08
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    RT Review Revue - High School Musical 3, Pride and Glory, Saw V
    >
    Waltzing
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  • Zac Learns to Use the Camera
    >
1 - 4 of 17

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Reviews for High School Musical 3: Senior Year

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

High School Musical 3 overstays its welcome, stretching out about 20 minutes longer than it needs to, thanks chiefly to a final celebratory reel that simply refuses to end.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
12/10/08
Jim Schembri
Jim Schembri
The Age (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A real, honest-to-goodness teen musical throwback, as if Andy Hardy had never died and James Dean had never lived.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
12/08/08
Paul Byrnes
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is good, clean G-rated escapism delivered by fresh, talented young performers.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) | comment Comment
12/04/08
Vicky Roach
Vicky Roach
Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Trumping the first sequel, and approaching the quality of the original, High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a truly winning reprise.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
12/03/08
Julian Shaw
Julian Shaw
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's a likeable freshness about the entire production%u2026 I felt quite energised after watching this contagious, colourful and uplifting musical that merges fantasy and reality together with such zest that we suddenly feel the sky is the limit %u201

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
11/29/08
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Carly Carioli
Carly Carioli
Boston Phoenix

...suffers from precisely the same sort of problems that plagued its two underwhelming predecessors...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
02/20/09
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Like the burnouts who stick longer than their leather jackets warrant, the shtick has gotten stale.

Full Review Source: Movie Views | comment Comment
02/17/09
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

Will certainly resonate with its targeted preteen demographic, as its principal cast has returned for a sequel appropriately enhanced for the big screen.

Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
02/15/09
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
NewsBlaze

A generous, upbeat film that provides lively, unthreatening entertainment for young viewers...

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
02/13/09
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

I'm glad I didn't pay full price to see this, but it is not a bad way to pass some time in a bargain theater or a cheap movie rental.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
01/20/09
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Mostly harmless.

Full Review Source: The Cinema Source | comment Comment
01/06/09
Michael Dance
Michael Dance
The Cinema Source

Regardless of whether Disney's G-rated phenomenon is your cup of tea, you have to admire this films boundless will to create fun, inspiring entertainment on a level second to none.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
12/15/08
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

So sweet you'll leave the cinema with diabetes.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment Comment
12/05/08
Ruth Hessey
Ruth Hessey
MovieTime, ABC Radio National
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[A] moviegoing public that made "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" #1 at the box office two weeks in a row demands more, dammit.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
11/08/08
Pete Vonder Haar
Pete Vonder Haar
Film Threat

The third installment in Disney's cash-cow musical series is a colorful and enthusiastic %u2013 if not especially intelligent %u2013 film that makes a successful transition to the big screen thanks to some terrific production numbers and the irresistible

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
11/07/08
Todd Gilchrist
Todd Gilchrist
IGN Movies

Much of the credit for the movie's winsome genuineness should go to the charismatic Efron, who has filled-out nicely in the years since the franchise began.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment 1 Comment
11/02/08
John P. McCarthy
John P. McCarthy
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

No Disney movie has made me re-evaluate my life like this since D2: The Mighty Ducks. Perhaps HSM 3 is the perfect bookend to my teenage teamwork movie. At least this time I can look back and realize I have made the right choices.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment 2 Comments
11/02/08
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

That clicking sound in the background might have been my arthritic knees banging together in harmony to the songs.

Full Review Source: Houston Community Newspapers | comment Comment
11/01/08
Gary Brown
Gary Brown
Houston Community Newspapers

The popular Disney Channel series moves to the big screen for a full-fledged movie musical.

Full Review Source: Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) | comment Comment
10/31/08
John Wirt
John Wirt
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
all

Latest News for High School Musical 3: Senior Year

March 04, 2009: Disney Sets Fourth High School Musical for 2010 Opens in new window
Disney's "High School Musical" will continue -- on television, and with "a new generation of East High School students," in 2010. More...

February 16, 2009: RT on DVD: High School Musical 3 or Midnight Meat Train?
It's a good week for mediocre films (Body of Lies, Changeling, Quarantine and Flash of Genius, which all walk a fine line between Fresh and Rotten) and an even better one if... More...

February 15, 2009: A review-proof, kiddie franchise certain to thrive regardless of what any snooty critics have to say about this installment which seizes on any excuse to have its ensemble break out into a song and dance ala a big Bollywood finale. Opens in new window
More...

December 17, 2008: Academy Names 49 Eligible Oscar Songs Opens in new window
The 49 songs in the running for Oscar nominations have been announced, including 11 tunes from the "High School Musical 3" soundtrack. More...

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