Take the Lead

Take the Lead_720p(480P)

source: Take the Lead

This movie is a hodge-podge mixture of "Save the Last Dance, "Dirty Dancing," "Shall We Dance," "Lean on Me," "Dangerous Minds," and the ending scene in "Sparkle." C'mon! Why are we rehashing the same plots and themes and calling it new material? Also there's a Suspicion of Disbelief ALERT on this film- it will behoove you to use it when watching. Here's what I liked: Rob Brown (Finding Forester)- great actor; promising career. He was one of the few actors I took seriously in this movie. He added depth to his character and made him very believable when he could have taken the stereotypical-Black-angry-"thug-like"-teenaged character he was given and made us not care about his life. But he made us care; good job. Ya Ya DaCosta- I think she did a great job for this being her break-out role. Her stint in reality-TV program "America's Next Top Model," made me curious to see how well she would do. Although I could tell she was new to acting, she surprised me and added charm and grace to her role (perhaps b/c of her background as a well-rounded Ivy-leaguer and dancer). The Dancing- it was phenomenal and saved the movie a few times for me. The Editing- edgy, quick, and fast-paced; it kept me on my toes and added a creative edge to the movie. The editor did a lot of cross-cutting in order to contrast different life-styles, values, and cultures which is a great idea to bring a message w/o weakening the film and adding it to the dialogue. Here's what I didn't like: -The old and rehashed formula: urban school, urban kids, White-Latino comes in and "saves the day" and teaches them the refined culture of manners and courtesy which are obviously foreign concepts to them- seen this (formula) before and never liked it. This is getting way too old for me. The first few times I let it go b/c urban inner-city (read: Black life) does, in fact, reflect some of those things, some of the time. Every culture has its dubious aspects and characters but they don't REPRESENT or become the ambassador of a culture like this movie and others would like us to believe. My God, the last time I checked in the mirror I was Black, and yet when I go to the movies I start to question it b/c my parents aren't drug dealers and I've never seen a gun before. WE GET THE POINT: Hollywood studios think minorities don't have manners, love to listen to Hip-hop and enjoy shooting each other or at least they think it's entertaining. Don't get me started on how these themes have plagued so many movies to the point where it has gotten incredibly predictable and boring. Get a clue: this is not entertainment nor is it representative. The fact that there were no caring and responsible parents represented in the film bothered me to no end. In fact, the one scene that featured parents, they were silent except for one comedic line! So now the infamous "parents in inner-city schools usually don't care about their children" stereotype comes into play. Yet another misrepresentation of Black/urban life. The kids the Antonio Banderas character was working with were supposed to be the lowest of the low, the rejects, the outcasts, those with "criminal" records, the detention kids: give me a break! That was laughable. I'll take those kids any day over the kids I knew who were in detention in my high school. Interesting note: The token White characters were paired up with the Black overweight characters b/c of their marginalized status among their peers. Token White characters were added to this movie b/c the studio probably didn't want people like me writing reviews like this one, accusing them of racism and stereotyping. Well, clever move but I'm hip to the game. I don't think the studio was racist or stereotyping. I just thought they were making a bad movie. Too bad good actors like, Brown, DaCosta,and Woodard, along with the film's editor and the man who inspired this film had to be a part of it.

(Synopsis) Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a renowned professional ballroom dancer, who teaches ballroom dancing at his Manhattan dance studio. After seeing a car being vandalized by a student outside an inner-city high school, Pierre Dulaine walks into the school to talk to the Principal (Angela Bassett). She has no time for him and to get rid of him she throws him a challenge, that he could make a difference by working with her worst students. Pierre Dulaine accepts the challenge and volunteers to teach ballroom dancing to a variety of students that have been sent to detention. The students are very skeptical of Pierre Dulaine, especially, when they find out that he wants to teach them ballroom dancing. All they know is hip-hop dancing. Dulaine's commitment and ability to change and adapt dance moves, eventually bring the student to his side. Together, they create a new style of dance and enter a major ballroom dance competition in New York City. (My Comment) If you like ballroom dancing and a story where a teacher really cares for his students, you will like this movie. It is always a good storyline to show struggling students being lifted out of the inner-city and making something of themselves with the help of their teacher. It also shows what a struggling teacher can do with limited resources. The students learn several valuable self-esteem principles about pride, dignity, good manners, and respect. Antonio did a great job of dancing in this movie. Antonio was the main star, but the students were also the stars. The film will have you tapping your feet most of the time. Maybe you could dance like that, or maybe not. At the end of the movie, it stated that New York City now has 47 dance teachers. (New Line Cinema, Run time 1:48, Rated PG-13)(7/10)

most embarrassing example of careless editing/shooting i've ever seen for a studio release. the boom mic is visible in at least 30 shots throughout the "film," nullifying the effect of some admittedly-creative camera work. as the entire theatre murmured and snickered every time the mic dangled in and out of the frame, i couldn't help but wonder how any exec (let alone antonio banderas) could allow such an oversight to go to release. typical "dangerous minds," "sister act 2"-type clichés... but what do you expect, i suppose. the pace of the movie is curious, as it lingers in some dull spots, yet fast-forwards ahead, turning rookies to professional-calibre tango dancers in about 8 minutes. yeah, yeah...my girlfriend wanted me to see it with her.

In New York, the polite dance instructor Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) sees a black teenager vandalizing the car of the director of a public school and on the next day he volunteers to teach dance to students to give respect, dignity, self-confidence, trust and teamwork. The reluctant director Augustine James (Alfre Woodard) offers the troublemakers that are in detention expecting Pierre to give-up of his intentions. Pierre struggles against the prejudice and ignorance of the students, parents and other teachers, but wins his battle when the group accepts to compete in a ballroom dance contest. Movies of dance are usually attractive, and the entertaining "Take the Lead" is no exception. However, this feature is more important because it is based on a true story of a man that has decided to make a difference, helping poor students to see life with another perspective. Antonio Banderas shows again that he is a "complete" actor, capable of performing the most different roles. The real Pierre Dulaine deserves this homage for the importance of his gesture and action. Jenna Dewan, from "Step-up" and the sexy Katya Virshilas are stunning dancers and the actors and actresses present wonderful choreographic dances. My vote is seven. Title (Brazil): "Vem Dançar" ("Come to Dance")

The very few negative reviews I have read on this site so far are so off base and uneducated, I wonder if the viewers have actually seen the movie. To answer the individual from Brazil, anyone familiar with the world of Music Videos knows that not only is Liz Friedlander and accomplished director, but she is also a WOMAN! Furthermore I was fortunate enough to see the film at a sneak preview and can assure the reviewer that Ray Liotta does not show up anywhere in the film, the only cameo as far as I can tell was this Brazilian reviewers brief attendance at a screening - because there is now way he watched the entire movie. As far as the film itself goes, director Liz Friedlander expertly crafts an interesting twist of a timeless story using excellent storytelling skills, an amazing feel for music and a perspective that is both fresh and compelling. Mr. Banderas is outstanding in a role we have never seen him in before. This time he is not simply the dashing Zorro, or the sexy Latin Lover, but instead a vulnerable teacher trying to inspire troubled youth while giving respect to the real life character he portrays. As per usual, Alfre Woodard of Desperate Houswives fame, gives a classy and inspired performance. New comer Yaya Decosta radiates grace, elegance and triumph and Rob Brown, all grown up since his days opposite Sean Connery, is as good as he has ever been.

Of course we do. Though squeezed excessively by Hollywood, movies like this have a meaning. There are only so many original plots in the world. Furthermore, this is based on a true story, so there's no real stealing involved. However, some parts of the movie were over exaggerated to induce humor, and consequently some actors did not perform as good as they could have. Overall though, there was no terrible acting from anyone. And a lot of great dancing. Some of the camera usage was just phenomenal! For anyone who loves to dance, or appreciate arts, this is an awesome movie. That three person scene at the end was hot! If you go in with hopes of being entertained, then you will be. Just don't go in with the attitude: "Oh, now he's going to gain their trust, How old!". This is a good movie overall, even though there were some parts that could be improved. Give it a try!

So, went to see "Take the Lead" with Antonio Banderas, and it, how do you say? Ah, yes. Sucked. Here's a few reasons: * Every single character was a Stereotype. From the black, thug kids, to the hard ass Principal, the skinny Blonde Rich Bitch, Antonio the teacher who wants to make a difference, the geeky white girl- Not one character was multi dimensional. * It was obviously written by a 40 year old white guy, which is why all the black kids say stuff like "You're a punk a**" and "Let's bring it". *Clichés Clichés! The entire plot is one cliché after another. At one point, towards the end, the black thug kid shows up for the ball room dancing competition still in his thug clothes, and he decided he must dance with the girl who's brother shot his brother, but they have since resolved their differences through dance, so Antonio takes off his jacket and gives it to him. *No scenes have a conclusion. Screen writing 101: Every great scene must have a beginning, middle and an end. None of the scenes have and end. Even the movie didn't have an end. You expect if there's a build up to a big competition, you would find out who wins at the end. Right? Not in this movie. * It was based on a true story. This makes the fact that this movie had a half ass script even worse, because it's offensive to the people who actually lived through it. I would hate to be any of the people being portrayed watching this and think "Am I really that big of a stereotype? What the...?" In Conclusion: I'm glad I got to see this for free, cause I'd be mad if I paid $9.50 for this hooey. Overall Grade: D-

Decent, definitely a rental. I'd give it a 5.0, typical "inspired by a true story" movie. Quite cliché with "maturation" themes. A few corny comedic moments. A little on the long side, had trouble sitting through this in the theater. See it if you like ballroom dance, have to admit it had its well choreographed moments but.... the story falls a little short. Don't see it if you want to see it for the urban dance, its rare in the movie, but there is some. Overall, I was disappointed, but the disappointment was expected. Very dull movie, no surprises, no heart wrenching drama, nothing emotionally shaking. Predictable is all you can describe this story line as. The performances of the cast were mediocre and the lines were weak. I expected to be inspired, I walked away with mixed feelings. I'd rather have seen it at home definitely.