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Description
Inspired by a true story, this exciting family drama revolves around a professional dancer who volunteers to teach in the New York City public school system. But when his classic methods clash with his students' hip hop instincts, he teams up with them to create a new style of dance and becomes their mentor in the process.
Bonus Features:
7 Deleted Scenes; 3 Trailers Remixed by Internationally Known DJs; 3 Behind-the-Dance Featurettes; Commentary by Director and Editor; and More!
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Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
What woman would not want to dance the tango with Antonio Banderas?,
By Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME)
This review is from: Take the Lead (DVD)
When the music stops there are two reasons that I rounded up on "Take the Lead." The first is because of Antonio Banderas. Whether he is dancing the tango or opening the door for women, you just have to keep your eyes on this guy, and since he is relatively soft spoken for most of this 2006 film, you have to pay attention to understand what he is saying. The other reason is because of not only the aforementioned tango that Banadres dances with Katya Virshilas, but also the tango that is danced at the end of the film during the big dance competition. Any film that has Antonio Banderas dancing the tango is going to have its moments, which the trailer for this film amply proves.Bandares plays Pierre Dulaine, who in real life was born of Irish and French parents, but obviously now needs to justify having a Spanish accent. He teaches ballroom dance to competitive dancers and upcoming debutantes and then because of an incident in street on his way home on his bike one night he decides to walk into the high school run by Principal Augustine James (Alfre Woodard) and tells her he wants to teach kids to do ballroom dancing. As much as a joke as anything else, she gets him to go baby sit the kids in detention in the Dungeon. The school's rejects look at Pierre like he is from another planet, especially when he starts playing Gershwin for them. We now what is coming from the trailer, but it takes Pierre a while before he gets the bright idea of showing the kids what ballroom dancing can be, which is where we finally get to the big tango sequence, a.k.a. "sex on the hardwood." Once the kids calms down, picking their jaws up off the floor and making other anatomical adjustments, they are ready to learn how to dance the dances Pierre has been trying to teach them. The rest of the movie is challenged to top that scene, especially given the fantastic black dress Virshilas wears that looks even better in motion. This is one of the hottest scenes in a movie I have seen all year and I cannot even think of what comes second on that list after seeing the whole bit in the movie and not just the tantalizing tidbit in the film. You get multi-angles on the scene in the DVD's special features, which ironically underscores one of the problems in movies like this, namely that there are always so many cuts when they edit the dance scenes that it is hard to really enjoy the performances. I have the same complaint about most action scenes, because whether we are talking fighting or dancing, I like to actually see what is going on. I loved "Mad Hot Ballroom," the documentary about the much younger kids who enjoy the real Pierre Dulaine's ballroom dance lessons and competition in New York City every year. There is really no way that this film can match the emotional power of that documentary, especially given that this is a fairly standard mentor movie, with each of the kids in the Dungeon having their own little subplot to play out, but--and this is a key difference--with people dancing the tango. That particular dance comes back at the end when the kids get to make the tango their own. What they do is not as stunning as the first one, but it is fairly unique as tangos go (this side of the movie version of "Rent"). Ultimately, "Take the Lead" forgoes the total conversion of the kids by their teacher to offer a synthesis in which they bring their own style to ballroom dancing. Clearly the point here is to feel good and to dance, but music video director Liz Friedlander's debut feature film aspires to nothing more and delivers everything that was promised in the trailer.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A familiar story, with an energetic beat,
This review is from: Take the Lead (DVD)
"Take the Lead" follows a well-worn Hollywood movie formula, but does so well. Anyone who has seen a movie about underdogs gearing up for some form of competition (usually sportive) knows what they'll find in this film. The characters and subplots are familiar in that sense.However, "Take the Lead" won me over with its infectious music and dancing. The same old story or not, there's an energy in this movie that I found difficult to resist.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent! Worth watching!,
By Blessed - Published on Amazon.com
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This review is from: Take the Lead (DVD)
This movie is very good! Wether you like music or dance, there is a little drama, a little comedy, this one is great!
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dancing To The Usual Steps--"Take the Lead" Never Varies From A Tried And True Formula,
By K. Harris "Film aficionado" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Take the Lead (DVD)
Trust me, I know ballroom dancing is all the rage. From the train wreck appeal of TV's "Dancing with the Stars" to the hit documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom" (and everything in between), you can't escape this current phenomena. Ballroom dancing has become cool. So naturally, more and more films are hoping to cash in on this craze. "Take the Lead" is the latest cookie-cutter crowd pleaser to have inner city kids reformed by unorthodox teaching methods. Inspired by the true story of Pierre Dulaine, "Take the Lead" casts Antonio Banderas as a dancing instructor who develops an afterschool program for troubled teens. Remember, however, that this story is "inspired by" Dulaine (who also consulted on the film)--it is not "based" in fact.This distinction becomes important when approaching "Take the Lead" for entertainment purposes. Those expecting a biography or a realistic portrait of the kids in question, you might be sorely disappointed. Realizing that this is another generic underdog story, however, you might appreciate the film's spirit. I don't know if there is anything I can divulge about "Take the Lead" that you haven't already figured out before watching one minute of actual film. Banderas witnesses a local youth (Rob Brown) vandalizing a car. Identifying the car as belonging to the high school principal, Banderas approaches her (Alfre Woodard, always a welcome pleasure) and is immediately co-opted into running an afterschool detention! Of course, he is! Why not! That's why I never walk into a school unsolicited, they might put me in charge! From this setup, Banderas starts to teach the kids how to dance. From the stock characters, to the integration of classic dance with hip hop, to the lessons on trust and teamwork, to the big competition where our kids are underdogs, to the expected conclusion--not one minute of this film holds any surprises. In fact, the artifice of the language and the unbelievable character interactions almost stop "Take The Lead" dead in its first hour. However, if you stick with it--the film becomes more winning. After we have dropped the illusion that these are real kids and embrace the dancing, the film comes alive. Banderas really earned his paycheck on this one--for it is his immeasurable charm that keeps "Take the Lead" from sinking to the level of insufferable cuteness. Despite your best intentions, you may root for his success. I know that many people will love this film and want to share in its happiness. More power to them! But the lack of reality and originality made this film far more grounded than exuberant for me. About 2 1/2 stars (I'll round up so you won't hunt me down), I still expect most to embrace this film as a crowd pleaser. KGHarris, 04/07. |
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