Believe it or not, even though I’m the world’s most avid fan of movie musicals, I’ve actually disliked a few of them -- but definitely NOT High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Such energy ! So many terrific musical numbers! This third HSM outing sang and danced its way onto my list of favorites. And I’m not alone. Viewers, both adults and youngsters, at the screening I attended applauded enthusiastically as the end credits rolled. 

While enjoying the first TV HSM production, I found the second one substandard and lacking in excitement. Happily, director Kenny Ortega managed to get everything back on track with this sensational  third film, the first HSM made for the big screen.  And Ortega, who also did the choreography, takes advantage of the larger venue by filling the screen with eye-popping colors and highly entertaining dance routines.

Perhaps the story comes across as a bit too schmaltzy here, but so did the plots of those beloved Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney musicals.  In fact, HSM 3 borrows the “Let’s put on a show!” theme from Judy and Mickey. It’s senior year at East High School, and the students decide to put on a production celebrating their last year together. Then, like Judy and Mickey, they must overcome obstacles to the show’s success. In HSM 3, these problems include competition for a Juilliard scholarship and decisions about the future which might impact present plans.    

HSM 3 showcases the talents of teen faves Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, and Corbin Bleu. The comedy standouts are Tisdale and Grabeel as siblings “Sharpay and Ryan” who plan to make it big in showbiz. Their “I Want It All” number is a real show stopper. Efron and Hudgens display a special chemistry as sweethearts “Troy” and “Gabriella” who face the possibility of parting after graduation. Bleu’s basketball star “Chad” dances up a storm -- and I look forward to seeing more of him in upcoming movies.

Among the supporting cast members, Olesya Rulin and Jemma McKenzie-Brown deserve special recognition. Rulin shines as the group’s level-headed pianist/composer, and McKenzie-Brown makes the most of her amusing homage to All about Eve.      

Costumes, sets, make-up, cinematography, editing and original music are also first-rate in HSM 3. But what I admire most about this film involves its emphasis on breaking through stereotypes and working together, the same values introduced in the original High School Musical. And -- okay -- I’ll admit it: I loved being reminded about how much fun it is to work with others in putting on a show.

(Released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and rated “G” for general audiences.)

For more information about this movie, please go to the Internet Movie Data Base or Rotten Tomatoes website.