This is honestly one of the most fun movies I have ever seen. I loved nearly every second of this film. With that being said, it's kind of terrible. Just watch it and have a great time.

I loved the first high school musical film so I paid for the on demand to see this sequel earlier. However, it wasn't up to my expectation.

Surely there were new outfits(including bathing suits),larger stage sets, better choreography, and various styles of songs. So it was not bad if you just want to see more singing and dancing, or if you are fans that only expect to see them again.

But I felt there was something lacking. I sensed more of showing off other than real passionate acting in there (Well, it must be hard to do so after they become famous),which made the characters pop out of the story and become unreal. And the plot (especially the ending) was dry and unconvincing, making it even worse.

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Firstly, the setting in the resort country club wasn't indeed necessary. It doesn't need to be in the country club to play base ball, swimming, or join a talent show. And the golf scenes actually made the plot weaker because it is hard to believe that Troy was "naturally" gifted in golf as well. Come on, he is a human after all. Making everyone else play stupidly wouldn't make him more like a genius. On the other hand, Sharpay's make up reminds me nothing more than Paris Hilton, especially her sun glasses and hair styles. And it is so sad to see that supporting roles didn't have chance to show their own personalities at all this time.

The major weakness is the ending. By the time I saw Troy coming back to talk to Sharpay, I was expecting Sharpay and Troy to sing together then Ryan and Gabriella. But no, Sharpay and Ryan has nothing to do with it in the end. Ryan asked Troy to do a favor for Sharpay, which turned out to be just another revenge to his sister, as if rejecting her in face was not enough. He directed the show knowing Troy wouldn't be singing, then in another split second he suddenly gave his role to Troy graciously and left himself out of it. And most interestingly, Sharpy, who was abandoned by Troy, rejected by Ryan, then tricked by troy again to believe she would have a chance to sing, end up finding herself kicked out. After all these, she was still amazingly happy and felt thankful to her brother. Well,not even Pairs Hilton would be this dumb.

It can't be clearer that such a plot only wanted to show that this film was all about Troy and Gabriella, nobody else dares to sing in the closing show. OK, I get it.

Though most film sequels fail to live up to the originality of their predecessor, High School Musical 2 is the rare film able to actually eclipse its first effort.

This time, the plot sees the East High crew all land jobs at a fancy country club (owned by Sharpay Evans' rich father). While trying to manage work and summer funtime activities, Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) sees his relationship with Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) fray to perhaps the breaking point, while of course Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) seems to be the schemer behind everything.

Another simple plot, to be sure, but what really establishes this film as a notch above the first one is the much more imaginative song and dance numbers. "I Don't Dance", featuring the entertaining talents of Corbin Bleu and Lucas Grabeel, will strike a chord with sports fans, while both numbers featuring Tisdale's Sharpay ("Humu Humu" and the upbeat "You Are The Music In Me") will leave you feeling as if you are at a Broadway or Branson stage show production.

Though hesitant to subordinate any of HSM 2's cast members, as they all bring something different to the table, I think that Tisdale possesses the most raw singing/dancing/acting talent, and thus a prolonged focus on her character does this film good. Her songs are always the most show-stopping of any HSM movie, and her completely over-the-top portrayal of Sharpay is a riot!

So never fear fans of the original HSM...this second effort will keep you singing and dancing long after the TV is turned off. Plus, though I highly recommend viewing the first film, newcomers to the series do not need to see "part one" in order to fully appreciate "part two".