DVD Review: High School Musical 2 – Deluxe Dance Edition

High School Musical 2, subtitled "Sing It All or Nothing", is the sequel to the highly successful High School Musical that appeared on The Disney Channel on January 20, 2006. The original airing of High School Musical 2 was on August 17, 2007, and brought in 17.3 million viewers; almost 10 million more than the first. Now, just weeks before the release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year to theaters on October 24, 2008, Disney is releasing High School Musical 2: Deluxe Dance Edition.

In this story, as summer is upon them, Troy is worried about getting a summer job as the price of college has him stressing. He is also working on trying to stay close with Gabriella all summer. She is happy to just be staying in one place for a change.

Sharpay and Ryan Evens are planning to spend the time at the country club this summer and Sharpay is also trying to scheme how to get Troy away from Gabriella by getting him hired at the country club. What she doesn't count on is Gabriella also being hired there at the suggestion of Troy. A rift also occurs when a local college basketball team, the Red Hawks, comes to town and Troy alienates his best friend Chad when he chooses to spend more time with the team.

Now High School Musical 2 wouldn’t be right without the music and so we have Kelsi who wrote a ballad for Troy and Gabriella, and Troy agrees to sing it with his friends in the upcoming "Midsummer Night's Talent Show". Things are further strained when Troy becomes jealous when he sees Ryan and Gabrielle together.

High School Musical 2 comes on two DVDs. The first disk is effectively the same as the original release. It comes with bloopers, a "Music and More" section that include Karaoke singing, and "Backstage at Disney" where you are taken through the rehearsals of the dance routines.

The second DVD is the one with all the special features including a preview of High School Musical 3. It begins with deleted scenes from the movie, another "Music and More" selection which includes a dance along, as well as additonal music videos. Another selection of "Backstage Disney" includes a digital scrapbook, about 30 minutes of featurettes, a photo gallery, and a quiz. There is a "Cast Favorites" where the stars go through their favorite movies, an "On Location" and "In the Kitchen" where you get a behind the scenes look at the film.

The High School Musical 3 preview is a short segment that gives the viewers a look at the upcoming theatrical release movie; the first time that a Disney Channel Original Movie has made a theatrical sequel. It includes comments from the stars about the success of the series and other insights. Also included in this release is a free ticket for the upcoming movie High School Musical 3.

High School Musical 2, while not as fresh and original as the first installment, which in my mind was a classic and the best musical since Grease and could never be topped by a sequel, is nonetheless very, very good. The music was very well done, as was the choreography. If I had one complaint, it would be that it is released in full screen, and not in its Original Aspect Ratio of 1.78:1.

If you own one of the prior editions, I am not sure that all the extras are that much worth it to own a second copy unless you are into extras. The free ticket does give some incentive considering ticket prices these days. If you do not own a prior version, I think that this is the best one on the market, and highly recommend this video.