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It was the first theatrical release of the franchise. The first two were direct-to-television movies on the Disney Channel. However, High School Musical 3 stomped the competition with a $42 million opening and the number one spot for this past weekend.

Given the amount of merchandising and publicity the entire franchise has (walk into any Toys R Us to see it), this outcome is really no surprise. It's a wonder the second movie wasn't released directly to the theater rather than the Disney Channel.

I was once forced to watch the first movie and found it to be this generation's version of Grease. I understand the franchise for what it is: a saccharine, watered-down, feel-good musical for kids that have the depth of a potato chip using the same sort of music sung by Britney and her pop kin. I just don't get the appeal. But then, I'm not the target demographic.

But even if this particular franchise ends, the market for Disney kid's movie musicals will sadly drive onwards. Two words: Camp Rock.

In a recent interview with Newsweek, Vanessa Hudgens talked about High School Musical and Zac Efron's hygiene. (Yep, you read that second item correctly.)

About High School Musical 3, Hudgens, who is currently on location shooting San Francisco, says that she thinks the crew is done after the completion of the trilogy. She also reveals that her character gets accepted to Stanford.

Hudgens also refutes reports that beau Zac Efron doesn't shower. (Has anyone else heard this? Am I just not hip to the goings on of tween dreams like Zac Efron? Maybe I should pick up a Tiger Beat magazine.) She says, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Whoever came up with that is completely idiotic. He showers! He showers! ­Believe me, he does."

So, there's no more High School Musical after this one. Looks like Camp Rock, which stars the Jonas Brothers, will be Disney's new cash cow.

[via Yahoo]

According to MSNBC, Vanessa Hudgens has signed on for Disney's High School Musical 3 reprising her role of Gabriella Montez. She's even getting a pay increase. This is despite the infamous compromising (i.e. nude) photos of her that circulated around the Internet not too long ago.

I was coerced into watching the original High School Musical by my niece. It was accurately described by my brother as "Grease, the Next Generation". It was cute, but nothing great. Like any old codger, I fail to understand why this phenomenon even took hold. But, it did. (On a side note, I don't even get why any parent would name their kid "Sharpay" unless they were really cruel.)

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