High School Musical / Eight Below

[disneyfav4ever]

Okay, I'm not looking to get flamed here, but I rented High School Musical last weekend since I kept on hearing about how good it was. (I don't have cable, so hadn't seen it on tv.) Well, I thought it was pretty bad. I don't get why it's the highest selling dvd for a couple weeks in a row. I thought the story was nothing special, and the songs were repetitive and annoying. I then debated weather or not to rent Eight Below, since I had high expectations for that movie, but didn't want to be dissapointed again. I rented it anway, figuring at least I'd have cute dogs to watch. What a great movie. Along the same theming as Homeward Bound (another favorite of mine.) And the dogs are really cute. I don't understand how some high-rated movies can be as pointless as they are, while some are truly great.

Again, I'm not looking to get flamed, just wanted to get that off my chest.

 

[MosMom]

I didn't think High School Musical was anything spectacular but my 8 year old adores it so I think that most of the sales are coming from the younger crowd.

 

[disneyfanatic60]

I saw Eight Below last night. It was a good movie but I did find it difficult to watch at times. Some scenes truly tore my heart out but I am a very sensitive person. My kids laugh at me because I am always crying during movies. I also just lost my dog in October and his birthday is next week so it wasn't probably the best time to see this movie. Regardless, it is a good movie and especially touching since it's based on a true story.

As far as High School Musical---I must totally agree! I did not care for it at all and turned it off before finish watching it. Though my kids did enjoy it.

 

[milkabum]

I saw HSM in March, on Tv, and decided to see it because some kids had good reviews on the boards and in their signatures. I thought it would be better. I really liked Eight Below- I loved the dogs, I loved Paul Walker, the setting, and everything about it. One word: Touching.

 

[LiteBrite]

I haven't seen Eight Below, so I've got nothing to contribute there, but I did the exact same thing you did and got High School Musical from Netflix last week just because there's been so much said about how great it is.

Now I am embarrassed to admit I did it. What a waste of time! It was exactly what it sounded like it would be - a piece of fluff aimed at preteens. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just don't see what sets it apart from all the other made-for-the-Disney-channel films that haven't had the same hoopla surrounding them.

 

[RadioNate]

I wouldn't expect adults to like High School Musical. It's a movie made and marketed for elementry aged kids. Like the old Mary Kate and Ashley Olson direct to video stuff.

It wasn't designed to be family entertainment.

 

[Libby X 3]

My just turned 11 year old watches and sings along to High School Musical- as do most of her friends. I think the audience is young. I also think they like the boy in the movie. I can't remember his name. I think it might be him and the love story that they like..

 

[Disneyrsh]

I sob like a baby during "Homeward Bound".

Thanks for telling me 8 below was like it; I can take it off my Netflix queue and avoid another embarrasing breakdown at animals in faux-peril!!

 

[MosMom]

Libby, that is what my daughter loves doing as well. She has a karaoke machine in her room and sings/dances constantly. She learned the dances to some of the songs and seems to have more interest in that aspect of it then the plot of the movie.

 

[amy4bruce]

DD6 loves High School Musical. We have it TiVOed, and it's the one thing that she would actually miss if I deleted it.

I didn't like it, but I'm way outside the demographic. I wouldn't expect my daughter to either like or understand my favorite musical, Sweeny Todd. Of course, DW would painfully remove parts of my body if I showed it to her, so it'll be years before I find out for sure.

 

[cardaway]

We saw Eight Below only because we had free tickets and boy was I ever pleasantly surprised. What an awesome movie. One of the best I saw this year. When the DVD drops in price I'll pick it up since I'm looking forward to seeing this again and showing it to the kids.

 

[AuntieM03]

I thought High School Musical was cute (I'm also not in the demographic). However, I also had no expectations as I watched it the first time it was on TV, and had not heard any of the hype. It's certainly nothing I would watch over and over (like say Princess Bride), but I thought it was a good way to kill a couple of hours.

 

[Libby X 3]

MosMom, my daughter also has the karaoke machine. She does the dance at the end of the movie while singing at the top of her lungs. I'm thinking of investing in a pair of earplugs!! Hopefully she'll move on to something else soon...

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I admit to 8 Below just to drool over Paul Walker (plus the dogs are very cute)

 

[paigevz]

I haven't seen 8 Below, but one of those DVD sales of HSM can be attributed to my just turned 11 year old son. I think the kids are buying that one.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DS (8) absolutely loves High School Musical. When he makes straight A's, he gets a gift for a reward. This time around he picked the DVD of High School Musical.I thought the movie was cute. I've watched it a few times with him.

I took DS to the movies to see Eight Below. I knew the ending already due to a review from someone here on the Dis. I liked the movie, but being a major dog lover, parts of the movie really bothered me, knowing it was a true story. I bawled like a baby at the end. DS was laughing at me. He keeps asking for that DVD too, but I don't want to ever see that movie again.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've had 8 Below rented for a week now, I'm really going to have to get around to sending it back. At least there's no late fees. But, my queue is going to be in a stand-still.

I should just send it back and buy a copy.

 

[Esmerelda]

I'm in my forties..and I thought HSM was really great. It had some wonderful singing in it...some new faces...no curse words...no reference to sex or drugs..no girls scantily dressed and are dressed age appropriate. I thought it was just good ole clean fun and we all enjoyed it here.

I also used to do high school musicals so this brought back a lot of really good memories for me.

Most everything today geared for preteen to highschool age kids..is either violent....sexual....drug related...or it involved rapping. It was really nice to see a big change for once.

my 2 cents,
Esmerelda

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm 21 and my sisters are 19 and 16. We all thought it was pretty good. My one sister even bought the soundtrack (which I will admit I have on my iPod...hehehe).

 

[lbgraves]

I also think that HSM is a good movie for kids. The story is great as far as the lesson behind it and you don't have to worry about anything said or done in it. My 7 & 5 yo sing & dance along too. I would rather watch HSM with them than Sponge Bob.