January 20, 2006 was a life changing day for middle school student Alyssa Lambert, as well as Disney Channel viewers everywhere. It was the day that "High School Musical" premiered. I was 11 years-old at the time and Troy Bolton/Zac Efron was the "Ultimate hottie super bomb," as per the words of Monique Coleman.
Looking back ten years, here are the ten best things about the movie.
10. The Fashion
Sequined crop jackets? All cargo everything? Metallic berets and newsboy caps? The unnecessary layering that Disney clothes all of their stars in? 2006 was a weird time, but I'm sure everyone says that about fashion choices a decade later.
9. Shipping Sharpay and Zeke
We were all rooting for you from the start, Zeke. Troy belongs to Gabriella. Why did we never get full closure on this, Disney?
For those of you who do not know what "shipping" is, here is the definition.
8. The Dance Moves that Everyone Copied
Or when they even had the specials where the cast taught you the dance moves? I watched every single one religiously.
7. Chad/Corbin Bleu's Hair
Basically it's own character, am I right? Still do not know why he doesn't keep it this style today.
6. Making the "Jumping" Picture Forever Popular
Or the "High School Musical" picture, as my generation likes to refer to it as.
5. "Exclamation Point!"
My most-used quote of middle school, high school and probably my whole life. This even got some chuckles from my parents.
4. The False Hope that Your Parents would Take You on a Super Sick Cacation Only for You to Meet the Love of your Life and have Her Show Up in Homeroom a Week Later
Just me? Oh, okay then.
3. The Banter between Miss Darbus and Coach Bolton
We all know there was serious chemistry there. Not romantic or lustful chemistry, obviously, but a rival/sometimes best friend kind of chemistry. We all saw it.
2. The Auditions
You felt bad for the girl who didn't say anything and were creeped out by the couple that rolled on the ground, but you laughed anyway. This is my favorite part of the movie. It was like bad "American Idol" auditions, but with age-appropriate Darbus reactions instead of unscripted Simon's.
1. Zac Efron *sigh*
A lot of my friends hated on me for having a crush on him (or obsessing over him), but no one could have predicted that he would eventually become that. Hot. Except me. I knew. #bae5ever
Kudos to my friend Susan for live tweeting the event and inspiring this post.
