linaljp

So, didn't really expect much going into this movie but I for sure did NOT expect crying, but I did. If a movie can make me cry it's above a six on the rating scale, so I gave it a seven. I honestly don't know why, but it made me feel things. Watch it and see if it surprises you as well. I will at least not be a waste of time.

Unlike other reviewers, I watched the trailer before watching the movie. I knew what I was getting into. The only reason I watched the movie after seeing the trailer, if I'm going to be honest, was because of Sean Lew. He is an amazing choreographer and dancer, not only was he the assistant choreographer for the movie but he also starred in it and he was only 15 or 16 years old then. We definitely didn't get enough of him in this movie, high hopes for his future in dance and acting. I also wanted to see Janelle Ginestra, Jade Chynoweth and Joshua Taiwan Williams. Again, not enough of them in the movie.

Taking away those personal preferences, honest opinion of the movie: It's not great. The script and dialogue is underdeveloped OR badly written. The movie is also dubbed in english, no subtitles. Might have been a mistake because we might have lost dialogue and feeling (not likely) by that choice. We'll never know. I just feel like this movie is a perfect example of why asian people have the stereotypical reputation of being unemotional, cold and robotic. One judge even sounds exactly like a robot AFTER being dubbed. Bad acting from that one all around, even her voiceover person.

I watch movies because they evoke emotions in me. This movie did nothing to me, the only emotion it gave me was happiness from seeing people I recognize and dancers I like to follow. That is not a good sign for the movie. Can we also talk about the cinematography? What was up with that?! Weird close ups that were way too close, unnecessary slow motion, etc. Yeah, not a fan. The soundtrack is pretty good and the dancing/choreography is alright but could have been more out there. All I'm saying is that I've seen amazing stuff from the choreographers (Willdabeast and Janelle, as well as from their assistant choreographer, Sean Lew) and it didn't really show here. I don't think that they had free reins completely, but that is just my opnion. Also, when the rest of the movie is so bad, it also brings down the dancing and choreography because you can't really get into it.

Lastly, would I recommend this movie? Not really. I got a kick out of seeing some of my favourite dancers in a movie, the rest of the time I basically just laughed because it was so cringy. If you want any of those two things... sure, watch the movie.

Lifetime recycling Hallmark's scripts from movies they released in 2012. About 50% of the dialog is word for word from "A bride for christmas". Too bad, it's a good cast, which could have been good with a original script. Still needs mentioning until change happens, it's lacking in diversity, both ethnicity and sexual orientation. In "A bride for christmas" at least the sister was gay.