Well, I want to start off saying that I loved the first movie and I own it on DVD -I have been a big fan of Peter Gallagher since The OC, and now I'm a fan of Amanda Schull and Ethan Stiefel! I originally gave the first installment a low ranking (2 1/2 or 3), but it now deserves a higher ranking, especially as I've watched it about 10+ times! This movie, however... I am giving it a two, but that's the movie itself -there are actors in this movie who do deserve a higher ranking, but that's only a select few!
I have mixed emotions about the title of this film, as part of me says that the title's not appropriate for the movie, especially how it's not very properly made, and the script doesn't have much in it; on the other hand, it's appropriate because this movie needs to turn up the script at the most. The story lacks oomph also -the chemistry with the characters, the speed, and... the sex appeal. Centre Stage: Turn It Up is supposed to be the second installment of the original and it's supposed to play of the original, and even though it mentions what's happened to Cooper's dance company, it still doesn't explain what happened to the rest of the original movies characters like Jody, Eva, Maureen, Sergei, Charlie or Erik; nor does it mention whatever happened to Kathleen or Juliette... It'd be a much better movie if it did the fore-mentioned.
The dance sequences were great, I must say, but again, it lacked the fore-mentioned, especially, as I also mentioned before, oomph -not the oomph the first one did. It was great that the director respected Cooper and Jody's relationship, even though she'd turned him down at the end (of the first movie). Don't get the wrong impression here, Amanda Schull (who played Jody Sawyer in the first installment) is *not* in the second movie, nor is she mentioned.
The cast, also, lacks that certain quality... mainly it's called experience or capability to act. Of course, that doesn't imply to Ethan and Peter, as they've both done this before, and Sarah Jayne Jensen (Suzanne Von Stroh) was very good, and Nicole Munoz (Bella Parker) was exceptionally awesome! The rest of the cast, though, weren't very believable in their roles, and they need more coaching!
Peter Gallagher doesn't make a 'cameo', as that implies that he only pops up once; He pops up roughly five times throughout the movie, and he resumes his position as the director of the company, though, Ethan has a much bigger part and is in the movie a lot more! I have to give a dishonourable mention for the fact that the film only follows Kate Parker (played by Rachele Brooke Smith) for the most part and only occasionally follows another character, her love interest Tommy Anderson (Played by Tommy Wormald).
Saying that, it's not a very bad movie and it's worth a second (or more) look! I do recommend it for a movie on a rainy day, and who knows? My opinion might just change! Better luck next time, guys!
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