It has been said enough in the comments about acting v dancing in the movie. I do believe that the plot (super-predictable) and the acting (everyone talks like they read from the script) really disintegrate toward the second half. I enjoyed the dancing, even though with my 2 left feet I cannot really judge it--but my wife (a former ballerina) was impressed (nevertheless thinking that the film was god-awful overall).
However, one point that has not been made is that the film was not meant to be an artsy one, or an Oscar vehicle. Instead, it is directed to black teens and pre-teens and the filmmakers tried to put as many positive messages as possible into the movie.
The characters explicitly say on the screen: don't cuss, train hard, go to school, don't put your hands on the girl, don't get involved with crime... etc etc. One poster complained about the violence--but come on! It's an extremely watered-down picture of life in the 'hood.
I would rate this movie a PG, not even a PG-13. While the plot line is a knockoff from 8-mile, its closer comparison is Sesame Street! If you are a movie buff, it's easy to dislike the film, but movies like this should be made, and I am all too happy to see it do well at the box office.
However, one point that has not been made is that the film was not meant to be an artsy one, or an Oscar vehicle. Instead, it is directed to black teens and pre-teens and the filmmakers tried to put as many positive messages as possible into the movie.
The characters explicitly say on the screen: don't cuss, train hard, go to school, don't put your hands on the girl, don't get involved with crime... etc etc. One poster complained about the violence--but come on! It's an extremely watered-down picture of life in the 'hood.
I would rate this movie a PG, not even a PG-13. While the plot line is a knockoff from 8-mile, its closer comparison is Sesame Street! If you are a movie buff, it's easy to dislike the film, but movies like this should be made, and I am all too happy to see it do well at the box office.