| I am an adult; admittedly not a "teenager" or | | | | love story between two high school kids, had a |
| "tweener". Still it is hard to avoid all of the hype | | | | very important message which everyone can |
| concerning the debut of the new Disney movie | | | | relate to. This message was that if you have a |
| "High School Musical 2" this Friday on the Disney | | | | dream in life, do not allow anything to prevent |
| channel. When the original High School Musical | | | | you from striving to achieve those dreams. Zac |
| came out early last year, it became a hit movie | | | | Efron's character was a star basketball player for |
| within the industry. Not many people, beforehand, | | | | his school's team. His father was the team coach |
| could have predicted the influence that this movie | | | | and demanding of his son in his athletic pursuits. |
| had all across the United States. Unlike most | | | | But Efron's character also yearned to sing, and to |
| movies which when re-aired on television have | | | | be in the high school's annual musical production. |
| their Neilson ratings diminish over time, it was not | | | | The young man was even willing to place his |
| the case with "High School Musical." The ratings | | | | position as a character in the musical production |
| actually grew with each airing on the Disney | | | | ahead of his role on the basketball team; much to |
| channel. Indeed, just like the "Titanic" movie | | | | the chagrin of his father/coach. I believe the |
| phenomenon in the late 1990's when teen aged | | | | message was that a person, (a 16 year old high |
| kids, (girls especially) flocked to the theater to see | | | | school student in this case) has to have as much |
| Leonardo DiCaprio repeatedly, many kids have | | | | believe in himself, (or herself) and be willing to |
| watched "High School Musical" again and again. | | | | follow his, (or her) dreams); without being swayed |
| Disney even began airing the movie with the song | | | | or influenced selfishly by others. |
| lyrics appearing on the screen so viewers could | | | | As I stated above, it was interesting to note how |
| sing along to the music. It also allowed the two | | | | the original "High School Musical" movie had such |
| lead actors of the movie, (Zac Efron and Vanessa | | | | an influence, even amongst high school students in |
| Hudgens, pictured above) to become idols to | | | | this country. In an era in which many high school |
| adolescent fans all over America. Indeed Efron, | | | | kids throughout this decade have been known to |
| appeared in another hit musical this summer | | | | be fans of rap and hip-hop music, (along with their |
| "Hairspray", and I am sure that many 14-18 year | | | | profane lyrics and degradation of females), the |
| old girls went to the movie just to see Mr. Efron. | | | | USA Today newspaper several weeks ago ran a |
| Another actress in the movie, Ashley Tisdale, | | | | front page story about the Disney musical/movie. |
| (who is known for her appearance in the Disney | | | | This article discussed the positive influence that |
| television show "The Suite Life of Zach and | | | | the movie had generated in America, and how |
| Cody") released her debut solo album. The "High | | | | the original CD released last year had dwarfed the |
| School Musical" CD grossed the most sales of any | | | | sales of all other rap and similar music of that |
| album released all of last year in this country. | | | | genre. Indeed rap albums released during the year |
| Disney broke the bank with sales of clothing | | | | 2006 had dropped substantially as many high |
| merchandise, videos, toys, and dolls bought by | | | | school aged kids chose to invest their money in |
| "tweener" fans of the movie. High School music | | | | an album from a Disney movie. I hope that I am |
| programs all across the United States produced | | | | not naive in believing that perhaps teen aged kids |
| theatrical performances of this movie. Who would | | | | are sending a message to the "50-Cent's" of the |
| have "thunk it", as the saying goes? | | | | world. The message is that many 12-17 year old |
| Actually with the power, clout, and influence that | | | | adolescents are suddenly being turned off by |
| the Disney network has, especially with kids under | | | | X-rated rap, foul-mouthed lyrics, and words to |
| 14; perhaps it is not so surprising that the "High | | | | music that portray women as sexual objects; and |
| School Musical" phenomenon spread like a virus | | | | for these women to be used and abused by men. |
| across this country. Disney is known for producing | | | | For that I say: Go "High School Musical"!! Even as |
| movies that are suitable for kids. Parents do not | | | | an adult, I will probably have my television tuned |
| have to worry about their children watching | | | | to the Disney Channel this Friday at 8 pm. - when |
| anything on the network that would prove to be | | | | the "High School Musical 2" movie debuts. I'd |
| embarrassing; graphic language, even the hint of | | | | watch that anytime over a rap concert in which |
| sex, racy dialogue, violence, etc., are strictly off | | | | the featured artist spews every swear word |
| limits, naturally by the network. The original "High | | | | known to mankind when performing his/her |
| School Musical" theme, which merged the | | | | songs! |
| influences of music, sports, dancing, and a g-rated | | | | |