When I first saw this movie for sale, I had no idea what it was. I marveled because everyone grabbed it up as if they already knew what it was, while I sat there scratching my head. I have no idea how the DVD sales were in other parts of the country, but here in Rexburg, Id, it sold like hotcakes. It wasn't until later that I learned that the movie was a Disney channel special, which explained why people knew about it. Still, even after learning some of the back story, I still didn't want anything to do with the movie, mostly because of the type of people who watched here- the stuck up college students who seem determined to make sure that the stereotypical groupings that existed in high school stay true even in college. I don't care much for cliques, nor do I like people (especially other members of my religion) that look down on people of different backgrounds, beliefs, or principles.
Imagine my surprise when I finally watched the movie (suggestion of a friend) and discovered that the whole moral of "High School Musical" is the breaking of such clichés. I was surprised because the movie had a great moral, and it was somewhat enjoyable. But then I realized that the same people that have been buying the show and extolling its virtues are the same people who need to hear the lesson it teaches. Unfortunately, they've probably all missed it completely.
The movie speaks out against those who refuse try anything new, as well as those who make fun of anyone who does. Yet constantly I meet people here in Rexburg who refuse to think outside the box, who refuse to accept anything different from the norm.
And so, I wonder how in the world the people here LOVE this movie when obviously they don't agree with the lesson- and if they do, they refuse to accept it. The sad part is, the popularity of this movie is probably a direct result OF its popularity- meaning that people like because other people like it, not for its own merit. It's pathetic.
It's sad to think that a movie aimed to bring people together would be used as yet another tool by those who benefit by keeping them apart- in other words, to keep the status quo.
1 comment:
When I was in High School, the popular movies about teens were Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful and Breakfast Club. It was the same kind of thing: using cliques to show how horrible and damaging cliques can be. And everyone ate the movies up. I reached the conclusion that everyone thinks everyone else is in a clique. And so everyone is scurrying to protect themselves from being cliqued out by being in a clique. I sometimes think the only reason I wasn't in a clique was because I was too slow to figure out the rules. I like to think I wouldn't have gone all cliquey anyway (I spent a lot of time saying things like, "Well, if EVERYONE is special, how can ANYONE be special?") but really, honestly, I simply didn't notice.
The other way I think of it is that teens and late teens are like wolves: pack animals big time. It's a natural instinct. They herd together. They roam in packs. They handle life in groups. So teens spend a lot of time going, "Look at me. Look at me. I'm so different! (With all my friends.)"
Okay, maybe I've subbed in High School a few too many times.
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