Sunday School Musical (2008 Video) User Reviews

Not cheesy just bad!

[moreworkstuff · 1/10 · 18 March 2012]

The writing should be called High School Writing.....at best! A predictable story line, low production value and a flat script make for a very irritating 93 minutes. on a positive note i found a cure for my insomnia.It's very boring. It reminds me of when my friends and I would get together and make home movies....when we really didn't know what we were doing. Editing was all over the place,maybe better suited for a horror movie but not a Sunday School Musical.The story never went anywhere that you didn't expect it too. As I said before very predictable. I really said everything in the summery but IMDb requires you to write ten lines.

I'm so happy I didn't buy it.

[jehureyes · 2/10 · 26 August 2010]

My family has bought a lot of Christian DVD's recently. I, personally bought one which was a Filipino Christian movie. It was really worth the price so I decided to look for another. As I was browsing along the store, I saw this and it cost 250 Php. Thank God I only got 200 during the moment.

When I finally got home I looked at this page and found too many negative feedback about the film. Because of them, I decided to download an illegal copy first, not to watch it but just to preview it. I do not support piracy.

About the film, I had my left eyebrow raised the whole time. As I move the slider, there's always an awkward scene. The cinematography, the acting, the music, the projection, the choreography, the dialogue... It isn't cheesy...not even cool. It sucks, to be honest. As a fan of both modern and classic musicals, I can say so.

I think the director is good. So are the actors, the song writers, and everyone who made this film although it made me feel like I was watching a movie I made for a school project. They need more training and everything. They can be better. I believe this isn't their best yet.

I'm still looking forward to future projects of Faith Films even though this was a big disappointment... I'm just going to buy To Save A Life when it's out in my country rather than this.

Poor Acting,So-so Songs

[amandaewe_theocbeachbabe · 2/10 · 1 February 2009]

Before I set out to watch this movie, I checked out the reviews here and a few users believed this movie was worth every cent they forked out for it. I, on the other hand, after watching the movie, strongly believe otherwise. For most parts, the movie dabbled in some teen angst like moving away from your friends and participating in competitions and so on and so forth. And that was pretty much it. Not to mention the songs sounded particularly like a Boyz II Men karaoke compilation throughout. Their acting was nothing shy of mediocre and I was cringing for most times whenever they aren't breaking out into some dance or song. To be precise, their acting was very forced and amateur-ish. It wasn't very entertaining in other words and if you are already a HSM fan, please do not proceed to ruin your movie experience by watching this.

I didn't like this movie...

[remi-rasidi · 4/10 · 5 June 2009]

When I got this movie I thought OK let's watch it. But after the first 10 or 20 minutes I fell a sleep. The storyline was not great. It was all so predictable. The main character has 2 move 2 another school makes new friends. I watched it as far as that. Normally I like this kind of movie but this one is boring. It's a little bit boring if you ask me. But that's what I say. If you are a HSM fan. If you want 2 watch this movie don't compare it 2 HSM cuz is very different then HSM. But mine opinion is that the movie is not good enough for my DVD collection. Cuz the storyline is not good, the acting is bad. So if you want watch this then set your mind on 0 and watch is. Oh yeah BTW did u seen the cover? It's almost the same as HSM en de title on the cover 2. Maybe a ripoff?

craapppp .... but its funny

[rusbc_1 · 2/10 · 29 June 2010]

Its a good laugh if you can appreciate it for what it is - total crap. The camera work is shocking, the sound quality is poor. It involves a lot of embarrassing scenes where the kids burst into songs that are entirely forgettable. But if you can appreciate that this movie is NOTHING like the real HSM, you can enjoy this classic piece of cinematography. After all, High School Musical was pretty bad anyway. When I think of this film, I imagine some poor child going to the video store to hire a kids movie and his/her's mother picks up this piece of garbage thinking that it will be a good religious movie with family values. I think of the poor kid going home to watch this piece of trash and it makes me a little bit sad. That kid will be sorely disappointed.

Anyway, in summation. Not. good.

Not their worst

[ericstevenson · 3/10 · 30 November 2017]

The Asylum is a company known for making shoddy knockoff products or rather mockbusters. I'm not quite sure what the difference between those two things is. This is an obvious ripoff of "High School Musical" which a lot of people hated to begin with. HSM at least has the distinction of being the first in the series and having (somewhat of) a budget. You could easily see the budget was so low they couldn't even have extras in most scenes. HSM was way better with that! This was a bad religious movie before most bad religious movies like "Left Behind", "God's Not Dead" and "Saving Christmas".

I guess bad religious movies have always been around. I'm actually glad this wasn't a mockbuster of something supernatural or else we'd see horrible special effects. This movie is extremely boring with bad acting. There's one scene where the kid just gets mad on a rooftop with leads to no dancing or anything. Why is the main character so mad about moving when he can easily travel back to his old place all the time? Watch "Bridge To Terabithia", once again, for a good religious movie. *1/2

Help me

[angelakerr-49121 · 1/10 · 4 February 2021]

My eyes are bleeding, please send help.







.....

Not really a movie to get up and dance to

[TheLittleSongbird · 3/10 · 25 October 2013]

The Asylum have definitely done much worse than Sunday School Musical, that's saying little though because Sunday School Musical didn't work for this viewer. There are some redeeming value, Chris Chatman was likable as Zachary and had a great voice, the ending song was at least catchy and the best lyrics in the movie were in this song and the dance in the boy's bathroom is the most creative Sunday School Musical gets. The photography and camera work are pretty awful to say the least(like bad horror movie standard), to the extent you question whether there was a photographer at all. And it disallowed me to remotely enjoy the rest of the production values, which weren't that special actually to begin with. The songs are unmemorable with generic melodies and tired lyric writing, and the mostly tuneless singing and choreography that shows next to no passion don't help. The writing has cheesiness all over it, the spirituality and faith angles were good ideas but explored with the utmost banality. That the story is predictable is somewhat predictable, that it has no energy, real fun or passion isn't. The characters infuriate in how they behave and how they act towards one another, shallow is the best way to describe them, while apart from Chatman the acting is very poor, Candice Lakota has a decent voice but is a vapid actress. Overall, not terrible but at best lacklustre. 3/10 Bethany Cox

Could have been better but a good attempt none the less.

[shane-158 · 5/10 · 24 May 2009]

Possible Spoilers!!! Being a cinematographer, I was really frustrated with a lot of shots in this film. The establishing shots of the empty school, and crossing the line so many times just about made me cry. I thought the story was decent, and the acting was OK. I liked the idea more than anything. The fact that someone would attempt a Christian musical to compete with "High School Musical", and "Spectacular!" is great. I just think it was too shallow. The story never went all the way, but rather scratched all around that spot on your back that you can't reach, but never hit the spot! I also thought the kiss was unnecessary at the end. It would have been just as good without it. The music and dance was by far the best part of the movie, if you like that style of music!

Offensive!

[Alycool · 21 July 2011]

This movie was a mistake to show to my children! It contained a closeted gay male, showed students passing notes in church, and revealed pre-marital affection between two underaged adolescents. This movie also contains racism, as the white church is the church that has to support the lower class community church when it cannot afford to stay open. It also contains rap music and ludicrous dance moves, with children of the opposite sex dancing together without adult supervision. The children hug, sit close together, and even KISS before -not even marriage- but without even ASKING THEIR PARENTS PERMISSION! I would not let my child watch this unless they were 13 or older, and you can trust them to properly handle this mature content.

So disappointed!

[silverkreahe · 1/10 · 19 February 2009]

My family and I sat down to this film with a bowl of popcorn and high expectations. I couldn't let my children watch the "High School Musical"s films and I was hoping that this film would let them in on the popularity of "High School Musical" AND still promote those family and religious values that my husband and I hold dear. Instead we find characters who are mean to one another and even immoral behavior (the main characters share a pre-marital kiss at the end of the film!)

However, the music promotes good faith and the choirs are exceptional. I found that the story was a beautiful display of caring and community. I just wish that we could show our children how they're SUPPOSED to behave (not how other, less holy families' children behave) and still tell the same story.

So close and so disappointing.

The Next Citizen Kane (only better!)

[roryw-36208 · 10/10 · 22 August 2018]

This film straight up blew my nips clean off my body it was that revolutionary

Great Lead Vocal

[mccoy12 · 7/10 · 23 November 2009]

I was curious to see how this film would compare to the High School Musical films. In comparison, it's a very clean film. However, the acting isn't superb but that comes with lower budgeted films. The lead vocal is really great! The main character, Zachary, would do well with a singing contract. The dancing was fun. Some of the songs are catchy. Some scenes are a little strange, like when they keep showing them on the rooftop. That was probably unnecessary. And the scene where the nerd guy and Savannah are singing about being boss was a little weird. I think they could have found a better vocal for the part of Savannah. In a nutshell, it's not a bad film. It's worth a viewing. And it's something even little kids could watch.

Its a rip off . . . . . but not a bad 1

[Jordan_Col · 5/10 · 16 February 2009]

Not a bad film but not a good film either.

Im guessing due to the low budget, amateurish directors and writers and the fact that the writers are Christians, shows in the film.

I was reading an interview from the director Rachel Goldenberg on another website and it's all explained, like I've said above. RG had to research for this film. Not good.

But less off the negatives and more positives. The film does show a problem that many churches face with regards to many but also shows that a little faith in your ability can cause things to happen. What I was thinking while watching this is "this would look better on a stage, not as a film" there's no flow with the film but the musical numbers and dance moves SUPERB, hence why it should be a stage musical. Not a film you'd buy but more a rental film, just needed more professionalism and someone who knew about the Chritian faith.

and I will admit 1 thing as well, Savannah is stunning and needed more solos

Trash

[mariasamatheoriginal · 20 April 2021]

Just trash; I watched the first few minutes with my classmates thinking it was High School Musical.

'Ya Know they still make kid-friendly musicals !

[guestar57 · 5/10 · 6 November 2008]

Sunday SCHOOL MUSICAL Written & Directed By: Rachel Goldenberg. Starring : Candise Lakota Get past the title, And the doors it opened ! This is a very well done musical with no low points like cussing or bad clothes worn by teenagers to sell it to an easy market. The music is very strong, Dance numbers well choreographed. The screenplay and direction were done by a first timer, But couldn't tell by results. Two choirs have challenges and by joining the strengths and weaknesses equal out. A moment by outside characters, That was definitely un-Christian resolves into a happy ending.

Excellent!!!

[sophwillis · 1/10 · 28 January 2021]

The entire movie is so good! From the terrible songs to the choppy editing, you won't be able to tear your eyes away from a single scene in this movie (in a car crash on the side of the road kinda way)! All of the choirs sound bad, even the lead one I'm supposed to think is good (NOTE FOR THE CHOREOGRAPHERS: I know they all probably came in not knowing how to dance, but did you even try to teach them? or did the director just give them half-thought mannerisms from behind the camera?). One thing that would've been nice is if the shots of the kids singing lined up with their mouths moving, or sounded like the same person singing throughout the movie. I'm sure they're children and thus not all professional singers, but they couldn't find at least one decent sounding person per character to at least do the dubs for their songs? This movie asks me to suspend my belief for too long- 1 hour, 33 minutes, 19 seconds too long. I can't say I was a devout Christian going into this movie, but I definitely am not now.

Can you tell it's a rip-off?

[Java_Joe · 1/10 · 1 October 2019]

Faith Films, the company that put this out, is known for two things. The first is making crappy faith based movies. The second is they're owned by The Asylum. You know The Asylum. They're that company that makes crappy rip-off movies. While occasionally they come out with some "so bad they're good" movies like "Sharknado", most of the time they just make crap. The difference is Faith Films has never made a good movie.

Basically this is like High School Musical but with worse songs, worse acting and the most obvious AVR ever. I'm not kidding. Every single scene is crammed with terrible AVR. Maybe they couldn't afford a boom mike of something but it's not just that. The sound mixing is terrible. You don't even get any kind of background noise. If the characters aren't talking, then there's no sound.

Basic story is a student by the name of Zach is part of the choir that are going on to some big contest to win $10K. But he gets transferred to another school, joins their choir and has them join the contest as well. Shenanigans ensue as his old choir mates see this as a betrayal and Zach feels torn between his old friends and new friends.

Honestly there's no reason to see this. I'm not a fan of any of the High School Musical movies but I'd gladly watch one of those instead of this. At least the acting, singing and dancing is better in those.

For only having 14 days to shoot the scenes and all, this is an amazing movie

[TheWolfLady · 10/10 · 9 December 2009]

I bought this movie for my four younger siblings last Christmas. I'd had my eye on it for a while, curious about whether it would be a knock-off of High School Musical or if it would be able to stand its own.

While there might be moments where the acting is cheesy, or things are a bit off, the movie is one that all eight of us enjoyed. The songs are catchy, the choreography well put together, the basis of the story is one that is appropriate for any and all ages. There are no hidden innuendos or questionable material.

I might be "too old" for the movie, however, I find that I work better, when I have a few of the songs playing in the background. Its sweet, cute, well done for first time writers and amazingly done for having only fourteen days to shot all of the scenes.

Just What I Needed

[nannyjo · 6/10 · 4 May 2011]

This movie was perfect to show to my "tweens" Sunday school class. It isn't always easy finding real life movies where teenagers talk about church and faith. Don't get me wrong, Veggie Tales are great for younger kids and even fun for teens once in a while. As a Sunday School teacher, though, I like to show movies that show people talking about faith and not just shows with asparagus talking about God (sorry Junior!) No, it isn't a high budget production but it does get the spiritual message across. The class loved the dancing and singing and, even though the acting won't win any Oscars anytime soon, they didn't seem to notice or care. They just tapped and snapped along with the music.

The film does itself a huge disservice with the title and the box cover picture that they chose. They opened themselves up to an automatic comparison to a high budget "tween" classic. Unfortunately, in that comparison, "Sunday School Musical" will not fare well. Standing on its own, however, it is a fun, meaningful movie with a good message: by believing and working together good things can happen.

I guess it all depends what you were expecting. For me, this film was just what I needed.

Low Budget failings while not necessarily failing? V1.00

[annevejb · 17 October 2010]

The DVD cover said High School Musical inspired, blatantly so. I accept that HSM can be inspiration, for me anyhow.

The price was relatively low. Play the DVD, I found there to be highs and lows. Low budget films can be okay, but one often has to be able to shrug off flaws in order to experience them as okay. So, most big budget stuff has flaws, too, and these also need to be within limits that the individual can tolerate.

This is a musical and the soundtrack construction is where I most notice signs of lack of expertise. When the songs come along the record volume often seems to have been turned up. With my volume control set at a bit lower volume than usual then I can tolerate things.

The next flaw is the credibility of the storyline, this is nowhere near the only story that has difficulties with that so one does gradually pick up expertise in being able to get by. One has a limited choice if one hopes for a credible plot? The nice aspect of that, for me, is that it helps HSM to feel more believable. They really do after watching this.

So, a low cost DVD inspired in part by HSM and with care I can tolerate the main flaws.

Except that this is a Sunday school story. The plot centres around church activities. As an émigré from the churches I find this to be the difficult part. The best songs are very churchy. These days, for me that does get in the way.

*

Move away from religion, I found it way too easy to need to consider standard stories as text for a secular religion. There were maybe even beliefs in the sixties that centred on that. Paradox. I found that got in the way, how I approached things, but it also seemed like an essential idea.

Around 2009, when two missionaries from Utah called at my house I mentioned that I no longer looked to religion, but that I did consider the Salt Lake City manufactured HSM to be Utah religious texts that I could accept. I got the impression that the missionaries considered me to be misunderstanding secular religion.

Sunday School Musical (2008) does help me with this. It is clearly religious stuff and considers what used to be understood as basic religious topics. These also relate to the day to day world.

Watch HSM soon after and I can now accept them just as rather neat stories. I do not need them to be anything but sugar. The sugar of the frocks, the sugar of the best of Sharpay, whatever. HSM is inspirational if one can accept them as sugar? I should have told the missionaries that Utah professionals have made some very respectable sugar?

VERY happy mom!

[LBritt-944-4668 · 10/10 · 8 January 2011]

I bought this for our 9 year old daughter for Christmas. I wanted a movie that she would LOVE but that would encourage her spiritual walk as well. This was IT. We went on a vacation shortly after Christmas, and I think she watched it about 10 times! She would have watched it more if I would have let her. She can sing all the songs, has a positive attitude after watching it ... and I don't have to feel bad about selling out when HSM is so popular amongst this age group. It looked like it was fairly well put together. Besides, the target audience is pre-teens and teens I would assume ... who are not really movie experts anyway. They just want a fun movie. I highly recommend it.

Not great, but somewhat better than I expected

[Wizard-8 · 4 August 2015]

The B-movie studio The Asylum has put out some of the most cheap, tacky, and just plain bad B movies in the past several years. I have learned to avoid their movies, unless they come on TV for free and I have nothing else to do. (And even in those circumstances I don't like their movies very much.) I'm not sure then why I decided to give "Sunday School Musical" a whirl, though maybe it was because it was made though their Faith Films division, and I was curious to see how they would make a squeaky clean religious movie.

Well, I watched it. I was expecting the worst, though I have to admit that it wasn't as bad as I expected. Like all Asylum movies, the movie looks pretty cheap in most aspects, though the photography and lighting is surprisingly professional. The songs are instantly forgettable after they finish, though they are somewhat pleasant to hear while they are being belted out. The cast is filled with amateur actors, though they act in a low key manner that makes their performances relatively painless to witness.

The script is both pretty predictable and seemingly has some linking scenes missing, though the writing thankfully does not hit viewers over the head with religion, instead focusing mostly on good values that you can approve of whatever your faith may be. The script is also somewhat slow in unfolding the story (and is executed in a somewhat "soft" manner that may have you wishing that there was a bit more bite), but has a few positive attributes, like portraying interracial relationships as no big deal.

In the end, while "Sunday School Musical" is far from a great movie, viewers regardless of their faith will probably find it somewhat better than they were expecting. Though I think the people who would really appreciate it would be, of course, people who are pretty religious.