Say whatever you want about High School Musical II (an exercise in providing more mental masturbation that execs at Disney can sell to the tweenage crowd), but give credit where credit is due to Ashley Tisdale (The Suite Life with Zack and Cody). She not only reprises the mean-spirited bitch in Sharpay, she takes the plotting and conniving to a new level not seen since Rachel McAdam's performance as Regina in Mean Girls. Within Disney limits, that is.
Sharpay's new scam includes stealing Troy Bolton (Zac Efron of Hairspray) away from his girlfriend Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) by hiring him to work at her parent's country club and surrounding him with college recruiters when Troy's friends are tagged along for work and enter the talent show. Yes, the scam is very bland and dull, but Tisdale works with what she has and makes it irresistible fun watching her character play Troy like a wind-up doll.
Tisdale's performance -- add to it, the catchy and flashy numbers ranging from the impressive I Don't Dance to the kick-in-the jams spectacle opening no. What Time Is It? -- not only makes this tweenage product placement film watchable (even with the cardboard story, cutout characters, and ultra-cliched romance between Troy and Gabriella) but it's soon-to-be third installment (due out fall of next year on the big screen) worth looking at as well.
** 1/2 stars out of ****
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