Step Sisters

Seeing a lot of negativity in these reviews. That being said, I pretty much got what I expected (Stomp the Yard meets Bring it On with a dash of Drumline and Pitch Perfect on the side chick-flick).

And Netflix, at least it's better than Iron Fist (LOL!!!)

I thought the movie had its highs and lows. Each character played a modern archetype, and wasn't really well rounded. It also espoused beliefs that I do not share. The issue with cultural appropriation isn't that "races can't own things," the issue is the social ramifications of the perpetual white-washing of other cultures to make it more palatable to an American audience (i.e. James Brown). It has a low-budget Bring It On vibe. I think a lot of reviewers felt as though it was racist because the movie was like a mirror--a cheap mirror, but still, a mirror.

I could have ranked the film lower giving it three stars but it was somehow entertaining enough though I would not recommend it to anyone else and definitely won't remember the movie next week. I don't even know who or how this movie landed on my film recommendation list but I didn't even care to watch Stomp the Yard (the male version of this film) so why did I care to watch this one? I suppose I needed background noise while doing some work on my computer. However, the movie is a comedy with very few laughs, poor, cliche writing and dialogue and the plot is very predictable. There are no well-known actors behind any of the characters and essentially the movies equates to a third or fourth sequel to a successful comedy that doesn't have any of the original cast (such as Mean Girls 2, etc.). The film does not focus on stepping whatsoever and instead focuses on the main protagonist's necessity to do whatever is necessary to get into Harvard Law School in the most ridiculous way possible. Please skip the film unless you have nothing better to do, the racial connotations are downright ignorant throughout but the film may squeeze one or two laughs out of you.

I read some bad reviews where people quit watching or didn't seem to get the point? I mean, if it's not your cup of tea, then fair enough. I like a bit of light-hearted drivel now and again, and I did get Pitch Perfect and Bring It On vibes, but I absolutely love any film or TV series that explores social issues in new and interesting ways. I love the characters in this, especially the protagonist, everyone is shown to have their flaws and it's always great to see actual character arcs. The characters and even the ideas presented by the movie are somewhat stereotypical at first, but this does change the more you watch, and the more you get to know the characters- which I thought was really clever! There are some hilarious scenes, amazing dancing and I wasn't disappointed by the end. While it has its flaws (e.g wee bits of awkward acting) and while it isn't the most amazing film I've ever seen, I really enjoyed it and recommend it!

The movie Step Sisters on Netflix is a masterpiece of terrible cinema.

The film tells the story of a black girl teaching a white sorority how to dance like black girls. It manages to mash together every bad trope from the 'Dance competition' movies from the early 2000's(think Bring It On) with cringingly terrible acting, a ridiculous plot, excellent dancing, and unintentionally hilarious quotability("YOU NEED TO MAKE THEIR ASS HAIR STAND UP!!!").

This is all served alongside a large helping of performative 'wokeness', uncomfortable, non-funny racial humor and unfocused social justice 'lessons'. ( For instance, a large part of the plot is about the impact of cultural appropriation of black traditions by white people, but then also features a dance number with a bunch of black women dressed as generic Asian women in silk robes and fans without blinking an eye.)

Please note I am making no comment on actual cultural appropriation, race, or social justice. The movie tries to make these issues a major plot point, and fails spectacularly. The only major lesson the movie ends up conveying is "Race, culture, and upbringing are unimportant as long as you are rich and pretty'

I HIGHLY recommend it, if only as a unintended parody of the current 'everything is offensive to the point where we cant tell what is actually offensive" climate, but also as a gem of cinematic garbage that at times approaches The Room in terms of terribleness and watchability