High School Musical star, Zac Efron, whose fans know him as the stud of several popular movies, such as The Greatest Showman and Baywatch, recently showed his viewers a more mature side to him. After the movie, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile came out, where Efron played Ted Bundy, fans saw him in a new light and he has moved on to play more serious roles. Most recently, Efron and health specialist, Darin Olien have launched a Netflix travel series, Down to Earth.

“I think it is really interesting to watch Zac Efron go from our elementary school crush to someone portraying a role as serious as Ted Bundy. It’s almost as if his career is maturing as we do, and it’s special we get to watch that happen,” Magnet senior Abbey Corley said. 

As the two travel to far away destinations, including Iceland and Sardinia, they investigate environmental issues and promote encouraging solutions to fix the damage. Efron seemed to switch reputations from heart-throb to environmentalist as Olien and himself studied sustainability in Puerto Rico and the tap water system in France.

Other surprising celebrities make appearances on the show to accompany Efron in his soul-searching, sustainable adventure. Actress, Anna Kendrick, samples water with Efron to find the most nutrient-rich water with the help of a water sommelier. Although Efron and Olien dive deep into meaningful conversations about environmental destruction, they also participate in thrilling activities, like zip-lining and tree climbing. All the while, the show features breathtaking views for fans to indulge in from the comfort of their beds. 

Critics do note that Efron and Olien may lack knowledge in the science department after referring to water as “hydrogen” and reporting other misleading facts. Despite missing the mark on a couple of aspects, the show shows Efron’s versatility and provides an enlightening viewing experience that transports fans to the scene right alongside the duo. 

“It is so interesting that Zac Efron is really trying to make a career change by focusing on environmental issues, which is something that he must be passionate about. I am excited to see what else he decides to explore,” said Magnet senior Khushi Patel.

The Chant’s Grade: B