Let It Shine

This movie is everything you would expect out of a made for TV Disney movie. Its hokey plot is nothing that hasn't been done before in many episodes of various sitcoms. It is the classic case of two friends where one friend helps another friend out by letting the other take credit of their work or talent. In "Let it Shine" Cyrus has all the talent of a would-be rap artist, whereas his best friend Kris doesn't have the talent, but has the perfect look. When Cyrus includes a photo of the both of them together with his submission to a songwriting competition under the pseudonym Truth, when he wins it's assumed Kris is Truth. Kris is so excited about the opportunity to work with Roxie, the promoter of the competition, Cyrus goes along with the mistake. The two concoct outlandish plans to keep up the charade. They tell Roxie Cyrus is his DJ so that Cyrus can be part of the journey and so that he is near Kris at all times. The plot is a little thicker with the fact the Roxy grew up with the two boys as part of Cyrus' father's church congregation, a man who opposes rap as a sinful form of music. More than anything this movie is about the soundtrack. This who enjoy hip-hop-that is teen hip-hop-will enjoy this movie more as large segments are devoted to the numbers. The soundtrack boasts it's own success peaking at #1 on Billboard's top rap albums and top kids albums. Other than that it's pretty formulaic of a "be yourself" and "don't be afraid to go for your dream" movie. It's like the "High School Musical" (2006) for hip-hop.

My 11 yo daughter loves this movie. It is entertaining with solid acting performances that even kept my husband and I engrossed. I was puzzled by one reviewer objecting to the cast's ethnicity. Given the usual fare offered at Disney, I can't see why one movie with a majority black cast would rattle the viewer. But given the reviewer's odd orthography, I can only imagine what s/he would consider appropriate viewing material. It is stunning that this family-friendly flick wouldn't rank higher. It presents a nice spin on hip hop music; there is no violence, nothing illicit or morally compromising. We will be adding this film along with other Disney greats to our daughter's collection of Netflix favorites.

No curse words, real rap, good music and the acting is genuine. At first i thought this movie was going to disappoint me but while watching it i was getting more and more interested. Tyler Williams (everybody hates Chris) look a like Wiz Khalifa and Coco Jones look a like Jennifer Hudson. If Disney invested more money in this project it would fit cinemas around the world. If you love real rap and teenage romance movies "Let it Shine" is a movie made for you. Brandon Smith is also in the movie as "the bad guy" and he does a good job in the movie! I hope Disney make more good movies just like this one. That was all from me and thanks for reading this:)

I liked how this movie was different by making all the main characters black. That was a good change considering how many Disney Channel shows and movies starred white characters.

However, other than that the plot was too predictable. When you watch the trailer and/or the first part of the film you'll immediately know how it ends. Because of that, I was barely able to watch the whole movie.

I was really skeptical about the movie. Being a African American male, i pride myself on listening to music that is mainly "Real Rap". When i watch the previews of them using those two words, i was like "Pssh, yeah right.". I was wrong. The lyrics had a lot of realism within them along with a positive message, CoCo Jones had a great debut in the film, she is a very talented artist. She reminds me of a young Jennifer Hudson, looks like her as well. I love the message of the movie, "Stand up for what you believe in." Though it is a bit of a cliché' I find it to be a great message for kids that watch Disney Channel.

I found the acting to be good, but there was something i was skeptical on at the start. Being how CoCo Jones is Fourteen, and Tyler James Williams is nineteen, i was really wondering if they was going to make them kiss. I did not really find it that acceptable if so, then again. That 70's Show had a fourteen year old Mila Kunis kiss a 20 year old Ashten Kucher, so they say. Still did not seem right if so.

To some it up, the music was good, and the movie was overall very good. It is a movie you should watch, though i know a lot of you may be older than twenty, you may have a low tolerance for movies with cliché's, i recommend you to ease up. It's a Disney movie, not a Academy Award Winning movie. Its main base is for kids and teens, don't be so critical.

Thank You for reading.