HSM2 vs Hairspray

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by SamInNorthCakalakey

Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

I don't have a problem. Or at least, enjoying HSM2 is not one of my problems.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by SamInNorthCakalakey

Oh, I think you can judge people on this!!!

PQ for both movies are spot on. You have to give HSM2 a slight edge for AQ. However anyone who thinks HSM2 is anything more than a very long video is NOT and I repeat NOT IN THERE RIGHT MINDS. The acting and story are just superficial. It's meant for the 5-16 year old range, they can't put anything real in it.

It was essentially the EXACT SAME "All 'Saved by the Bell' Channel" tweeny made-for-cable movie Disney Channel pumps out every week--
Except that somebody still remembered the Buffy musical episode for a concept, Disney still owned Kenny Ortega under contract since "Newsies", and, like Newsies, they thought they could "artificially" create a musical by pumping hire-songs and dance numbers into it.

And again, the only thing that Disney Channel had that Hairspray didn't was its own private Sahara to sell water in, and an audience inexperienced enough that TDC could pretend they thought up the idea of characters singing whenever they want to say something.
(CtToI, for those who were in high school during the 90's, remember when the Buffy musical episode seemed like this mindblowing new form of groundbreaking entertainment?)

[WickyWoo]

(CtToI, for those who were in high school during the 90's, remember when the Buffy musical episode seemed like this mindblowing new form of groundbreaking entertainment?)

Well, there was Cop Rock in the 80s

And crappy beach party movies in the 50s

Buffy musical WAS groundbreaking, because it was the first time that a weekly network television series did a musical episode that was complete, cohesive, part of the story at large, and had tons of great and memorable songs. How great could an equally good Star Trek musical end up being?

Herc and Xena did it, but they were throwaway

[WriteSimply]

Hairspray gets my vote.

I saw HSM2 on the Disney Channel and I wasn't impressed - the last number was fun though. The story arc and character arc, while important to teens, do not resonate well beyond the teen audiences. Art direction is uninspired as the main location looks like any ol' country club. The songs are not memorable and neither is the choreography. The comedy is forced and often bland. The fact that the antagonist eventually become one of the good guys just makes the whole experience feels cheap.

Hairspray has a great story arc for many of the characters. Not only that, the racism theme is still important today as it was then; Oprah mentioned in the show she did for Hairspray that when "Negro Day" was sung, it gave her a jolt as the term is not appropriate now. Art direction is wildly impressive (cars, TVs, shoes and posters). The songs and choreography are just fantastic. The comedy is clever and biting. Here are some samples:

Velma Von Tussle: [to Corny] 'Detroit sound?' What's that? The cries of people being mugged?

Velma Von Tussle: [to Edna] Is that a new dress? You'll stop traffic!

Seaweed: And this young lady right here, is Penny Pingleton.
Penny Pingleton: I'm very pleased and scared to be here.

Motormouth Maybelle: [watching Edna walk in] If we get any more white people in here, this is gonna be a suburb.

Penny Pingleton: Without that show I have nothing!
Prudy Pingleton: Having nothing builds character!

The comeupance at the end is justly deserved.


fuad

[AbsentAbe]

Having never seen either High School Musical...I would still have to say Hairspray.

I originally heard the soundtrack to HSM and liked a couple of the songs. The enthusiasm of a couple friends for the movie made me want to see it, but I went on YouTube to look it up and view some clips and that made me change my mind. The choreography was just poor. It reminded me of some local plays that I saw which they could get away with because they weren't making any money and it was simply being done for fun.

/end

[daringdogcow]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Throwaway crap for Disney Channel designed to sell lunchboxes.

The franchise is directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega, so Dirty Dancing must also be sh-t, right?

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

While Hairspray could have been a little better in terms of songs, it's far better put together film/play/film, and still far superior to anything that HSM slapped together.. People of all ages enjoy it. They don't enjoy HSM past about 16.

I agree that Hairspray has higher production values, better plot pacing, and a better message in general. (It's even my favorite Q4 release.) But whenever I walk by the show at DCA, I always see the parents rockin' out with the kids. HSM2's premiere also had the highest ratings ever on basic cable, with 17.2 million viewers. So I can see how someone might prefer it over Hairspray.

[jadafa]

Hairspray > High School Musical 2 by far

And yes, I've watched both and the original HSM. Hell, I still think HSM > HSM2. I was so bored to tears with HSM2. I hope HSM3 fares better.

[iNCREDiPiNOY]

Ashley Tisdale > Amanda Bryne

[half71511]

Originally Posted by iNCREDiPiNOY

Ashley Tisdale > Amanda Bryne

agree with you there, i love ashley tisdale, will buy anything she is in.

[Blu Falcon]

Originally Posted by patrick99

I wonder if those who have expressed their disagreement with my opinion in such interesting ways have actually seen both of these? For those who have, do you really think the music in Hairspray is enjoyable?

My nephew (age 10) came to visit when this first aired on the Disney channel (high school musical 2) and he watched it every chance he got. I thought it was a great program for older kids and pre-teens. HSM2 today is what Grease was like for us older guys back in the early 80s. I thought it had a great soundtrack as well. Can't comment on Hairspray since I haven't seen it, but I'm sure it's enjoyable for the entire family as well. I personally would love to see New Jack City the Musical.