I’m generally against commercialism, which may seem strange since I’m work in the trade show marketing business, but life is full of contradictions (and hypocrisy). Anyway, my 6 year old daughter is hooked on High School Musical (bye bye Disney Princesses!). It started with her seeing the movie on DVD at a friend’s house, twice. Then Grandma got her the music CD from the movie, and I’ve heard the High School Musical soundtrack at least 100 times now (no exaggeration). For Christmas my daughter got (from Grandma) a High School Musical clock, a High School Musical calender, High School Musical shoes, a High School Musical watch, and other High School Musical branded items I probably missed. All this and I’d never even seen the movie. I just knew that High School Musical branded product sales might single-handedly pull this country out of our current economic mess. Either that or they’d push many otherwise financially solvent families over the brink and out onto the streets (but at least these families would have their High School Musical sweat suits and High School Musical sneakers).
Well, we finally broke down and rented the movie from Netflix and watched it as a family the other night. I was planning to work on the blog during it, but my daughter insisted I watch the movie (I took the opportunity to ride the stationary bicycle while watching it). I was expecting the worst. I thought the movie would basically be a 90 minute commercial for the products that are everywhere in the stores (and now in her room).
But instead I was surprised. I was stunned. I was shocked. I was dumbfounded. I actually liked, heck, even enjoyed, High School Musical! I’m not entirely sure why… Maybe it was because I’d been subliminally programmed and the music was so familar (did I mention I’ve heard the soundtrack 100 times?). As I watched it, my feet started tapping to the beat and I started rooting for Troy and Gabriella. Now I’m not saying it’s an amazing grown-up movie (like Top Gun), but I liked it. It’s got good, wholesome kids, a reasonable plot, great songs, and the only kiss in it is a kiss on the cheek. I’ve got to hand it to Disney, they made a good family movie. Either that or I’m just a softy at heart. Two thumbs up for High School Musical.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Lee (Tarheel Rambler) // Jan 4, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I am soooooo glad that I don’t have to deal with these fads any more…unless it’s to use them to spoil my granddaughters. I wonder how popular these types of movies/shows would be if they couldn’t be hyped and had to just rely on the content.
2 Will // Jan 4, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I had a similar thing happen to me. I was making fun of my daughter’s love of the movie back when the first one came out. She called me on it as I had not watched it. So we did and surprise, surprise!
3 The Trade Show Guru // Jan 4, 2009 at 6:47 pm
@ Lee,
I guess it’s the job of grandparents to spoil grandkids. 🙂 I know my kids’ grandparents do a good job of it!
@ Will,
Just to clarify, I am referring to HSM#1. I think there is a #3 already out in the theatres, but we’re a little slow at this house. 🙂
And I’d rather be surprised and like it than have my darker expectations proven correct! 🙂
~ Steve
4 cardiogirl // Jan 5, 2009 at 6:16 am
Oy vey. We are firmly ensconced in all things High School Musical as well.
(Hums “I want it alllll…’) And those punks will not allow you to purchase just one 99 cent song via the internet. You have to buy the whole album.
I mean that’s not really a problem unless you feel your elliptical workout would be enhanced by “Bop to the Top.” Until you realize the song is only 2 minutes and 13 seconds long which allows one to get her groove on and then the song is over.
Um, not that I would be in the category or anything.
5 cardiogirl // Jan 5, 2009 at 6:22 am
(clears throat) Um, it looks like amazon.com is selling those songs for 99 cents now.
You know, if anyone who works out would be interested in the sort of thing.
(Runs off to buy the downloads)
6 Cardiogirl: 19% body fat 100% fun » Note to Disney and Muriel: I can wait you out // Jan 5, 2009 at 7:27 am
[…] looks like High School Musical has invaded the Trade Show Guru’s life via his 6-year-old daughter. Now I’ve never actually seen the movie, but my older girls are into it. And that means the […]
7 The Trade Show Guru // Jan 5, 2009 at 2:21 pm
hey cardiogirl,
As usual, you crack me up! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 ~ Steve
8 Natural // Jan 5, 2009 at 5:46 pm
hi steve. i still do not want to see HSM at all, i think even my kid hates it. score one for dissing musicals. you know what i call movies that i CAN wait to see? death bed movies. when i’m on my death bed and i don’t have a choice, can’t move, maybe a feeding tube? i have a list of movies people are allowed to pop in the old DVD player. that’s when i see it, in about 100 years.
9 The Trade Show Guru // Jan 5, 2009 at 7:24 pm
hey Natural,
You crack me up too… no death bed movies for me, please!
As to HSM, I’ve been told that it appeals to grade school kids, but no real high school aged kid would ever be caught dead watching it.
~ Steve
PS. I also don’t like musicals in general (just say the words, don’t sing them), but as I wrote, this one was different, but then again, I was “pre-programmed” by those Disney fiends!
10 Rudy // Jan 6, 2009 at 4:15 am
I’m looking forward to the day when my daughter starts like Hannah Montana and High School Musical. — just kidding!
I know it’s inevitable but I just want her to stay as my cute princess for a few more years.
Oh, I’m starting to let her watch some Mr. Bean. She’s not liking him… yet.
11 Kids and Watching TV | The Blog of Rudy Amid // Jan 6, 2009 at 5:43 am
[…] have no doubt as my daughter grows older, her selection will change. There are new shows like Sid the Science Kid and Imagination Movers, that she’s starting […]
12 The Trade Show Guru // Jan 6, 2009 at 12:24 pm
hey Rudy,
We are still a Hannah-Montana-free house, not that her name doesn’t come up at times… I love Mr Bean. I’ll have to see if I can get my kids hooked on him. Great suggestion! ~ Steve
13 JD at I Do Things // Jan 10, 2009 at 12:28 pm
You are not a sell-out! In fact, you’ve made me curious. Even tho I don’t have kids, I’ve been kind of intrigued by the whole HSM phenomenon. Perhaps I’ll put it in my queue.
14 The Trade Show Guru // Jan 10, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Hey JD,
Thanks for stopping by!
I think I liked it because I had heard the songs over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, and my kids liked it, and I can’t help but smile when I see them singing and dancing to it. But I can’t say I’d have been at all interested by it if I saw it before I had kids… ~ Steve
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