Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. 100
    High School Musical 2 is very good. It's more than listenable. The music is surprisingly catchy, smartly penned and not annoying.
  2. 80
    The makers of High School Musical 2 wanted to avoid repeating themselves. They have succeeded. They have delivered a sequel that is both zanier and more dramatic than the original.
  3. Reviewed by: Scott L. Powers
    80
    HSM2 is better than the original, and not only because its production budget is reportedly triple the first cable movie. The songs are bolder.... The acting by the returning well-scrubbed cast is better.
  4. High School Musical 2 s zippier, bouncier, prettier, more soulful and even more musical than its predecessor, and that's saying something.
  5. Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    80
    High School Musical 2's audience already knows how this movie ends. But they'll watch and re-watch because it has such an unembarrassed good time getting there.
  6. Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    80
    By the time the sing-along version of High School Musical 2 airs Sunday (8/19, 8/7c), two nights after the first screening, many kids already will have memorized the lyrics--and probably many of the dance moves. It's going to be that addictive.
  7. Reviewed by: Laura Fries
    80
    Proving that lightning can and does strike twice, High School Musical 2 actually surpasses the first movie in sheer energy and verve.
  8. Reviewed by: Jennifer Frey
    80
    The movie is as good as the first one, with even better dancing and a story line that engages.
  9. So it's not the most original plot. So what? Kids are going to freak over it, and watch it again and again and again.... Tisdale is once again great as Sharpay--her performance of Fabulous is the best thing in the movie--and Lucas Grabeel gets his chance to shine as her long-suffering brother Ryan.
  10. For those who loved the original - and for those who liked it for its good nature, charm and peppy production numbers (that includes me)--the good news is that, if anything, the creators have managed to improve on the basic formula.
  11. High School Musical 2 is an inevitable, unstoppable juggernaut--so be grateful it's as good as it is.
  12. Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    75
    The story isn't quite as fresh, nor the message as warming, but there are wall-to-wall zippy pop numbers to keep your little girls squealing happily.
  13. 75
    Obviously bigger and in most ways better than the wildly popular original, High School Musical 2 is as certain a bet to find and please its target audience as you're likely to find.
  14. 75
    High School Musical 2 is pretty much a total tuneful blast.
  15. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one just fine. The kids are just as photogenic and the songs are just as hummable. It won't launch any more careers, but it's a good family film for a warm Friday night.
  16. 70
    Compared to the original, it's slicker, brighter, more obviously produced, and a smidgen less fun.
  17. Even with its eye-rolling plot and its McMusic, High School Musical 2, like the original, does well by doing good.
  18. Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    70
    Disney's HSM2 delivers precisely what's required. And America is all ears.
  19. What they'll see is a film that feels bigger, if not necessarily better, than the original.
  20. Reviewed by: Gretchen McKay
    70
    None of the songs really stand out the way they did in the original. Kenny Ortega's lively choreography, however, is once again top-notch.
  21. Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    50
    To some extent, the sequel could never live up to "HS1" because the first film was such a surprise. There are more than a few high notes in the sequel, but there are also some flat notes as well.
  22. When they're genuinely goofy, they make you grin--but too much of it feels forced.
  23. Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    40
    The movie is mediocre, and should be skipped.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 49
  2. Negative: 17 out of 49
  1. Although way worst than the first film, and featuring a nails on the chalkboard performance from Ashley Tisdale; it has some great music to make it entertaining. Full Review »
  2. In a weird way it is better than the first one. But just for a little. The story is almost the same. Mustly of the film sounds stupid. Anyway it is better, but it gives me headaches. Full Review »
  3. A chant. A chant about summer break (See above). Yes, these were the first lines of several (If not many) bored and maybe tired students. They wanted a nice break from all the hard work they've been doing in school lately. And at last, they get it. And what do? I mean the first thing they do? Sing! Dance! Yes, you heard right! The students of East High are now thrilled. They're on vacation...At least for now anyway...Hello again, everyone! I, Drama Storm am back to give you the one-up on the High School Musical sequel. What did I think of it? It was very good, but they could have done just a little better. Nonetheless, it gets a passing grade. And Gabriella and Troy are still in love. Now if only they could catch a moment alone to be together... Full Review »