1. FNBE JAN 2013 - ENGL 0205
English 2
Tan Wei How
Contrast Two Musical Movies
English 2 (ENGL 0205)
Class Assignment 2
Tan Wei How (0310707)

2. FNBE JAN 2013 - ENGL 0205
English 2
Tan Wei How
Contrast Essay of Two Musical Movies
Musical movie is defined as a motion picture consisting of a plot
integrating musical numbers. America, Japan, Italy, France, Great Britain, and
Germany are those countries that have contributed to the development of this
movie genre. Musical movie triggers emotional responses in its audience due
to a complex intermeshing of factors, simultaneously personal, neurological,
cultural, and universal.
I have contrasted the differences between two musical movies, which
are “School of Rock” and “High School Musical”. “School of Rock” is a 2003
America musical movie with the theme of rock passion. “High School Musical”
is a 2006 America musical movie which is also the first installment in the High
School Musical trilogy with the theme of love story together with singing
passion. There are three big differences in these two movies such as the way
they perform their music, plot and environment of the movies.
The characters inside the movies used different methods to perform
their music. In “School of Rock”, Dewey Finn, the main character who a rock
singer and guitarist. The style of music in this movie is more on rock, so most
of the music parts are on the stage and inside the classroom. The students
and Dewey Finn perform the musicby forming a band with rock musical
instrument such as electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards and so on.
On the other hand, the characters in “High School Musical” use totally
different method to present their music. The main instrument that is being

3. FNBE JAN 2013 - ENGL 0205
English 2
Tan Wei How
used in this movie is voice. The two main characters, Troy and Gabriella sing
the pop songs with musical accompaniment. Piano is the only instrument that
has been used inside the movie besides speakers. They do not just perform
the music on stage but also in other scene such as resort, science lab,
corridors and gym.
Another difference between these two movies is the plot. “School of
Rock” is actually a crazy, humor and funny movie while Jack Black is the main
character of it, Dewey Finn. Its story is about Dewey Finn who is the rocker
has became a substitute teacher of a group of primary school children. With
his passion as a rock musician, Dewey has changed the children from
classical to rock musicians. Without caring others’ opposition, they form a
band and finally produce a perfect performance, which has changed
everyone’s mind. In contrast, “High School Musical” style is more on vitality,
youthfully and love. Story tells me that Troy and Gabriella know each other in
a party. They both love to sing and have fallen in love with each other. Troy
and Gabriella study in the same high school and become partner for the
musical auditions. But the auditions date is same with their competitions date.
By using some tricks, they won both of their competitions and performing a
fantastic love song in front of thousands of audience.
Environment of the movies will be the last differences. Most of the
scenes in “School of Rock” are taken in primary school classroom where
Dewey Finn teaches his students the techniques of playing rock music. The
characters who involve in this movie are mostly students from 9 to 11 years

4. FNBE JAN 2013 - ENGL 0205
English 2
Tan Wei How
old, teachers, and parents. Because of the environment of primary school, the
teachers and parents are focusing on their children’s education whereas
Dewey Finn is focusing on their passion to play rock music. On the contrary,
“High School Musical” takes scenes in a high school, which called East High
School. So, up to 95% of the characters are youths from 18 to 20 years old
while others are lecturers and parents. As there are mostly youth in this
movie, it makes the environment becomes more vitality and full of love and
friendship. At the end of this movie, most of the male characters successfully
find their relationship partners.
In conclusion, “School of Rock” and “High School Musical” are two
totally different musical movies in the area of how they perform their music,
plot and environment. Both are performing rock and pop music respectively by
different methods such as forming a band and singing. Besides, the former is
mentioning the passion of being rock musicians while the latter is focusing on
the relationship between the youth. Lastly, the psychology of the young
children and youth can also be seen clearly by showing two different
environments, which is the primary school and high school in both movies.

5. FNBE JAN 2013 - ENGL 0205
English 2
Tan Wei How
Bibliography
1. School of Rock, 2003. [Film] Directed by Richard Linklater.USA:
Scott Rudin.
2. High School Musical, 2006. [Film] Directed by Kenny Ortega.USA:
Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM).
3. musical film. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved March
14 from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1102784/musical-film
4. Jennifer Shipon. (2006). History of Music in Film: Analysis of How &
Why Film Scores Enhance the Emotional Import of Films: Citizen
Kane. Retrieved March 14 from
http://voices.yahoo.com/history-music-film-analysis-why-film-
36641.html?cat=7
5. Mary F. Pols. School of Rock (2003). Retrieved March 14 from
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/school_of_rock/
6. Carey Bryson. High School Musical. Retrieved March 14 from
http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/highschoolmusical/fr/hsmusrev.ht
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