I would normally like to avoid comparing one musical story of high school students to another, but as both films in question were made for children’s television networks, the comparison is going to happen anyway. As much as I love HSM, I actually think I like parts of Spectacular better. For one thing, the chemistry between Nikko (Nolan Funk) and Courtney (Tammin Sursok) jumps off the screen. The dance sequence that occurs when Nikko first comes to a choir rehearsal has almost too much chemistry to be airing on Nickelodeon. I also love that Nikko isn’t someone who is just randomly thrust into the spotlight. We don’t see what seems to be the common storyline today of the jock being found out to be a great singer. He is an already established singer with his own band. He just isn’t the cookie cutter choir boy. And that makes the movie all the more interesting.

There is a little bit to be desired in the music and the dancing. The songs are catchy and make you want to sing along while you’re listening, but they don’t stick in your head in the same way that the songs of HSM do. The dancing takes more risks, as I noted earlier, but some of the group dance moves look so uncoordinated. The addition of the gymnastics skills is inspired, but some of the other moves could really use some work.

All in all, I was pleasantly entertained by the film. And I would definitely watch it again. I doubt though that I would buy it.