ROUND 1: STORY SNAG
HAIRSPRAY: HAIRSPRAY is a colourful movie set in 1960s Baltimore, where every girl’s dream is to star on the local TV dance show. When that dream comes true for overweight teenager Tracy Turnblad, the city is shook upside down as the worlds of black and white unite.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: In this sequel to last year’s Disney Channel ratings champ, school’s out for the summer and the kids of East High get jobs working at Sharpay’s country club. Troy spends more time with Sharpay, creating a rift with his friends who don’t like the “new” Troy. Sadly, the story behind HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 is cliché-ridden and lacks originality.
The plot of HSM2 isn’t “Fabulous”. HAIRSPRAY scores the first point!
SCORE: HAIRSPRAY – 1
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 – 0
ROUND 2: RELEASE RUMBLE
HAIRSPRAY: HAIRSPRAY is based on a hit Broadway musical that was originally inspired by the 1988 film of the same name. The remake was released in cinemas across the country, which means its big show tunes sound even bigger.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: Nevertheless, HSM2 creates big screen buzz, despite debuting on television. After all, where else can you get blockbuster-sized entertainment for free (besides the Internet!)? Made-for-TV movies have never looked so good.
The theatre can’t trump the tube! HSM2 wins Round 2!
SCORE: HAIRSPRAY – 1
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 – 1
ROUND 3: TALENT TEST
HAIRSPRAY: The casts of HAIRSPRAY and HSM2 are both immensely talented, but which group brought its best talents to the table? Newcomer Nikki Blonsky is perfectly cast as Tracy, while Michelle Pfeiffer suits her character’s vindictive persona. Even John Travolta’s novel performance as Tracy’s mom, Edna, has its merits.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: On the other hand, Ashley Tisdale’s over-the-top portrayal of Sharpay is like a caricature of Paris Hilton and Zac Efron delivers a quirky performance in HSM2, making it hard to forget this is a Disney display. That’s nothing against Efron’s acting, though; he personifies Link Larkin in HAIRSPRAY.
HSM2 doesn’t have the “Nicest Kids in Town”. HAIRSPRAY scores!
SCORE: HAIRSPRAY – 2
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 – 1
ROUND 4: DANCE-A-THON
HAIRSPRAY: The high-energy dancing in HAIRSPRAY is reminiscent of the era in which the film is set, but it’s more of the same style you could find in GREASE or any number of other musicals.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: Meanwhile, HSM2 has more modern moves throughout the film, including a Stomp-like routine in the kitchen during “Work This Out” and a basketball wave to accompany “What Time Is It?” The innovative choreography brings musicals into the new millennium.
The hairspray has gone to Tracy’s head! Troy makes a slam dunk to tie the match!
SCORE: HAIRSPRAY – 2
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 – 2
ROUND 5: MUSIC MIX
HAIRSPRAY: In the end, what matters most in a musical is, of course, the music. The HAIRSPRAY soundtrack is bursting with feel-good beats, including “Without Love” and the super show-stopper “You Can’t Stop the Beat”. You’ll sing these songs over and over again!
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2: The songs in HSM2, however, echo the popular Disney sound that made the first film a hit, with ballads such as “You Are the Music in Me” and Troy’s duet with Gabriella, “Everyday”. Unfortunately, these kids can’t compete with full-blown Broadway numbers.
Move over Gabriella, there’s a “New Girl in Town”!
SCORE: HAIRSPRAY – 3
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 – 2
ROUND UP: Sorry, Troy, but “You Can’t Stop the Beat”! Surely HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 isn’t “Without Love”, but it’s not the music in me. A better story, soundtrack, and superior acting make HAIRSPRAY a musical that everyone will enjoy. So, good night Albuquerque and “Good Morning Baltimore”!
Web Links:
www.hairspraymovie.com
www.disneychannel.com/highschoolmusical2