Take the Lead (2006)

That was an excellent one.

Must See Movie...

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

This is one of my go to movies to enjoyed the vibrancy and energy of the dancers. I love, love, love the dancing. There were a lot of young talented dancers. As far as the ending, so what? Baz Lurman did something similar in "Strictly Ballroom" and he's considered a great director. The ending in both movies weren't totally what would have happened, but it made me feel good. We don't always need to see "real life" in movies. I think that anything inspirational in a positive way in movies is worth it. Someone may see something that they think "Let me try that and see where it takes me". There are too many negative ones out there. I enjoyed watching this movie because it made me feel good.

Lena Horne's recording of "I got Rhythm"soars above the title sequence of "Take the lead",leaving us on no doubt that the movie is indeed about rhythm - the rhythm of the dance,the rhythm of the streets,the rhythm of the basketball courts,the New York apartments and projects......the rhythm,if you like,of life. This feeling of energy and vitality is echoed in the pacing and cutting of the movie itself,sometimes frantic,sometimes languorous,but always infused with energy,restrained or unrestrained. Mr A.Banderas's slightly rueful charm is just right for the role of Paul Dulaine who - against all odds - brought Ballroom Dancing into the New York Public Schools System.He carries himself with the grace and precision of a young Burt Lancaster and never,metaphorically or literally,puts a foot wrong.It is a brilliantly controlled performance made all the more admirable for its apparent lack of artifice. There is,as you might expect,some wonderful music and dancing,superbly choreographed. Just one small scene where one of Dulaine's pupils dances alone to Sly and the Family Stone's remarkable version of "Que Sera,Sera" is worth the price of rental alone. There is nothing remotely original or cutting edge about "Take the lead" but it is a feast for the eyes and ears with a wonderful star performance. And as Ira Gershwin once said...."who could ask for anything more?"

Yes, I know another teacher in the ghetto movie, but this one is really good.Antonio Banderas is fantastic as a dance instructor who want to teach things like respect and courtesy through ballroom dancing. You know, of course, how it will turn out. All of these movies end the dame, whether it is To Sir With Love or Stand and Deliver or Lean on Me. There are classes all over New York and moving across the country following the lead of Pierre Dulaine.It is the music that really makes this film - a combination of ballroom tunes and rap. The energy is continuous. The tango in the classroom was exquisite.There are a lot of interesting characters in this film, as there always is with this type of work. You will enjoy them all.

In the tradition of GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS, THE BLACKBOARD JUNGLE, TO SIR WITH LOVE, and DANGEROUS MINDS we get a new variation on the old story of a group of misfit high school students finding new motivations in life through a dedicated teacher. TAKE THE LEAD is a fact-inspired tale revolving around Pierre Dulaine, the owner of a ballroom dancing studio who, after witnessing an act of teenage vandalism, offers to teach ballroom dancing at an inner city high school. The principal tentatively agrees to let him teach the kids who are permanently in detention for the rest of the school year. Despite a preachy, cliché-filled screenplay and manic music video direction, the film is watchable because the dance sequences are positively electric, superbly choreographed by JoAnn Jansen. Antonio Banderas is charming and understated as Dulaine, the caring teacher who does manage to reach these kids until the world of these kids and the world of the students at his own school begin to collide. Banderas wisely underplays to the extremely gifted young actors chosen to play the delinquents-turned-dancers here and allows them to shine, as they should and do. Alfre Woodard also manages to make the most of a predictably-written role as the principal of the school. When the movie leaves the dance floor, it screeches to a dead halt, but every single dance sequence in the film is mesmerizing, whether it's a single student practicing by herself in a quiet boiler room or a three versus two tango challenge that is like nothing I've ever seen on screen. When the movie dances it works, when it stops dancing, be forewarned as it trots out every cliché you've ever seen in a movie about inner city high school kids, but Banderas and the dancing make it worth watching.