Mrs M
yoda76GREASE VS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
July 6th 2007 04:23
My 6 year old daughter in this last week has discovered High School Musical, and my goodness isn’t she just lapping it up. “What team? WILDCATS!” Honestly, she has watched it that many times I find myself singing along.
For those who are not familiar with High School Musical this is what Wikipedia has to say about it.
High School Musical is a story of two high school students from rival cliques: Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), a shy transfer student who excels in math and science. Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the school. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick with the status quo."
High School Musical is a G rated movie musical and it is just dripping in sickly sweet innocence; but then again, this movie wasn’t made for me, it was made for my daughter.
Michael Grose, parenting expert and coach says, “Kids today are exposed to too much adult-oriented content too early. In some ways today’s children remind me of slum children in Victorian England, who saw too much but experienced very little. Today’s kids are exposed to too much in terms of adult content and concepts that they may not understand and they don’t have enough positive developmental experiences that involve all their sense.”
When I was 6 years old I couldn’t get enough of Grease. High School Musical reminds me very much of Grease; female protagonist and male protagonist are from opposing ‘social groups’. They want to be together but their respective friends get in the way. Not only just story line but the entire ‘look’ of High School Musical reminds me of Grease.
However, High School Musical doesn’t deal with the adult issues of gang violence, teenage pregnancy and teen rebellion that are addressed in Grease. But then again Grease wasn’t made for me as a 6 year old; it was made for me as an adult…teenager at the very least.
I doubt that anyone foresaw the widespread success Grease, the movie musical, would enjoy.
Whereas I’m sure High School Musical was very much a planned and calculated endeavour.
So, while I agree with Michael Grose that children should not be exposed to adult-oriented content too early I absolutely loved Grease as a 6 year old. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I didn’t completely understand what was going on but I loved the music, the dancing and whole ‘50’s’ look of the film.
When it came to those parts that I didn’t understand or didn’t like I just rationlised it in my head that they were just being silly…or that would be the time I would go and get a snack.
I find my daughter skipping through parts of High School Musical that she finds boring; she’s a whiz with the remote control.
While I’m not sure I would let my daughter watch Grease, I don’t think it did me any harm; and just about everybody in my generation watched Grease as a kid.
So the question is how do kids rationalise concepts that are beyond them? How did you rationalize concepts that you didn’t quite understand?
For those who are not familiar with High School Musical this is what Wikipedia has to say about it.
High School Musical is a story of two high school students from rival cliques: Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), a shy transfer student who excels in math and science. Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the school. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick with the status quo."
High School Musical is a G rated movie musical and it is just dripping in sickly sweet innocence; but then again, this movie wasn’t made for me, it was made for my daughter.
Michael Grose, parenting expert and coach says, “Kids today are exposed to too much adult-oriented content too early. In some ways today’s children remind me of slum children in Victorian England, who saw too much but experienced very little. Today’s kids are exposed to too much in terms of adult content and concepts that they may not understand and they don’t have enough positive developmental experiences that involve all their sense.”
When I was 6 years old I couldn’t get enough of Grease. High School Musical reminds me very much of Grease; female protagonist and male protagonist are from opposing ‘social groups’. They want to be together but their respective friends get in the way. Not only just story line but the entire ‘look’ of High School Musical reminds me of Grease.
However, High School Musical doesn’t deal with the adult issues of gang violence, teenage pregnancy and teen rebellion that are addressed in Grease. But then again Grease wasn’t made for me as a 6 year old; it was made for me as an adult…teenager at the very least.
I doubt that anyone foresaw the widespread success Grease, the movie musical, would enjoy.
Whereas I’m sure High School Musical was very much a planned and calculated endeavour.
So, while I agree with Michael Grose that children should not be exposed to adult-oriented content too early I absolutely loved Grease as a 6 year old. I couldn’t get enough of it.
I didn’t completely understand what was going on but I loved the music, the dancing and whole ‘50’s’ look of the film.
When it came to those parts that I didn’t understand or didn’t like I just rationlised it in my head that they were just being silly…or that would be the time I would go and get a snack.
I find my daughter skipping through parts of High School Musical that she finds boring; she’s a whiz with the remote control.
While I’m not sure I would let my daughter watch Grease, I don’t think it did me any harm; and just about everybody in my generation watched Grease as a kid.
So the question is how do kids rationalise concepts that are beyond them? How did you rationalize concepts that you didn’t quite understand?
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I don't think that movies like Grease that have a slightly more adult aspect to it can hurt kids. I would have been about 10 the first time I saw it. And to be honest I don't recall really taking in the part about Rizzo thinking she might be pregnant. I just didn't really take that in. I was far too interested in the singing and the dancing.
I'm sure young kids who watch Sound of Music have no idea of the Nazi's and why the Von Trapp family have to flee their home. But that's not really what they care about.
I think often the kids just ignore the parts they don't really understand. It's just dialogue that doesn't really have a meaning for them.
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
I'd probably be OK with our 6 year old watching Grease, as it's a world so far removed from her own... but some of the dodgy teen or tweenie-oriented flicks today... not so sure...
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Grease.... I suppose it more subtle than your average. I didn't quite get the pregnant thing either. I just knew they were "kissing" yuck
yoda,
I'm just not ready for the questions I suppose.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Wendi
Here's the thing. Kids today aren't stupid, and most of the material created exclusively for kids, especially movies, STILL slips in those barely noticed lines, images, jokes, or eluded to adult content. Why? Because if the adults aren't enertained as well, they're not as likely to rush the kids to the theater. We've gone into a "something for everybody" mentality with the media... and in order for "the whole family to enjoy" the experience, every demographic has to be catered to, at least to a small degree.
I remember my firstborn watching cartoons when he was about five.... I don't remember which cartoon it was, something to do with a rooster whose name I can't recall... and two characters embraced in a kiss, the male leaned the female back, the female wrapped her arms around the male.... and then BOOM... an explosion of fireworks dominated the screen. My son looked up at me (five years old, remember?) and said, "I know what they're doing."
I raised an eyebrow at him, smirked a little, and said, "Kissing, right?"
The child replied, "Nope, they're having sex. I'm not stupid, Mom."
... and that was 13 years ago! Cartoons since then have gotten much more bold. So have lots of shows geared for young teens. Recently I was channel surfing and came across one of the kids' stations and my interest was caught by a group of kids acting out a skit. Both my kids at once said, "Uh, Mom, you don't want to watch that. It's really not appropriate!" Yet, it was designed by kids for kids and aired on a channel for kids!
I think what we need is a happy medium... a balance of things that aren't insultingly innocent, but aren't blatantly inappropriate. I think Grease did that well!
Just my opinions,
W
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
You're right of course Mrs M - when you say the similarities between the two are unmistakable - and yes, my kids think High School Musical's pretty damn cool too.
I've gotta hand it to The Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormans) - they certainly did their homework when they decided to fund and produce High School Musical in collaboration with Disney.
Comment by Candice
Have to agree with everyone else that adult themes in movies like Grease are probably not even noticed by kids because of their subtelties. Look at all the adult jokes in kids' movies like Shrek - I don't think kids pick these up.
It is more the violence and 'scary' nature of today's kids' movies that worry me. I had to walk out of several children's movies with my niece when she was in the 4-6 age group because she got so scared (and they were often remakes of a movie from a story I thought would be okay). I was looking at the list of kids films for this school holidays and not one was G rated. Even Shrek 3 scored a PG.
Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I love the musical "Grease" so much...
My thought
So the question is how do kids rationalise concepts that are beyond them? How did you rationalize concepts that you didn’t quite understand?
I think Aimster is onto something. Kids can only understand what they are cognitively ready to...
It is sort of like pouring a gallon of milk over a thimble.....
Mis
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I haven't seen High School so I cannot really comment, but I can on Grease and it will always be a favourite of mine.
I agree with Miss' thimble and milk analogy, but each generation will have it's thimble-styles, and they vary in recognition (mostly of the changes in the world around them). I guess in high school it's the integration of two-shades of America and technology, therefore High School will present a different school to the one of Grease... Pressures will have changed to some degree, but not completely, I suspect.
Consumerism may have shifted cultural morals and values since Grease, or has it?
Good post and I will get this film out for the girls to watch, then let you know what they reckon (from their perspective) when weighed against Grease, okay.
This would make a good school room comparative in English Class Mrs M. You should have been a teacher..*lol*
Lilla
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I pretty much got what was going on, mostly, but like you if I didnt get it I just shrugged and assumed I would, one day.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I think you're right about Grease that they managed to strike a healthy balance.
I just wonder whether the writers, directors and producers had 6 year olds in mind when they made the movie version.
Hi Mr Nice Guy,
You know I did notice it was all shot in Utah and the production company Salty Productions (I'm assuming it has something to do with Salt Lake City). I was wondering why they chose that location...and now I know.
Grease is an enduring classic
Hi Candice,
Look at all the adult jokes in kids' movies like Shrek - I don't think kids pick these up.
If you go to youngmedia.org.au you can find reviews on movies and whether they are suitable. Sometimes ratings aren't enough. Young Media give very detailed reviews.
Hi Aimzster,
Hi Mis,
Hi Lilla,
I probably have good intentions but I think my execution would suck. I take my hat off to teachers because I know I couldn't do it.
Hi Kleonaptra,
Thanks everyone for the visit and comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Sarah White
coolgirlsar to the rescue
One Too Many Chocolate Bars
I don't know how kids rationalise things though, maybe it's just something that doesn't interest them at a certain age so they just ignore it. At the moment if a car isn't on the tv Callum isn't interested in the rest of the show. Oh how quickly things will no doubt change. LOL.
Take Care.
Sarah. xxx
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I suppose this is why I'm hesitant to show my kids Grease. Not that I want to keep my kids in the dark, but I was hoping for a little more time before I had to have 'that' talk.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Well I`m sure i don`t need to tell you this... I found someone to ask... and if their answer didn`t satisfy me I found someone else to ask! My mother says I used to exhaust her and my grandmother... hard to believe, I know!
I loved Grease for the music - it wasn`t until I was older and understood the adult themes that were woven into the story that I really noticed them I haven`t seen High School Musical so I can`t make a comparison.
ash
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
High School Musical is well put together production...if you ever decide to watch...drink a chardonnay beforehand.
Oh look I don't mean to put High School Musical down but it is so....Disney...but the songs are catchy.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Sorry.
;o)