Step Sisters

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 started watching this as a cheesy dance type film, which is exactly what it is. However, it also addresses important themes and great messages, There was a good story-line and I felt like I could relate to the main characters as well as their progression. I've read a lot of reviews but I think this film should be taken at face value, and watched the whole way through before being judged.

Honestly most netflix movies aren't that great to begin with. But notice a pattern with all the comments. TYhey didnt finish the movie, only watched 15 mins blah blah race.. But it was different in the 2nd half! The main character became likeable and grew. For once it was saying we've all been there. we need to both stop judging and how we are a like or had a moment a like. They show and prove that there are white people that love black people. So stop hating. There are white people who support black people in their struggle but there are also white people that have struggles. No i am not talking about starbucks instagram girls blah blah thats make up of the 1% that talk about white people problems etc. I had a dead beat dad, single mom that struggled and worked hard never dated cause she was scared to bring guys around us. I got mad fun of and bullied cause i didnt have money growing up. I had handy downs from my cousins etc. I believe it made me a stronger person. I never judged anyone. I was nice to everyone even the girls i knew who hated me, the guys & girls that got made fun of etc.

They finally point this out in the movie that we should be coming together vs who had it worse or what happened in the past. That not all black people or white people are the same. For once it focuses on both sides.

I just think its so funny how the ppl who judged the movie didnt even watch it though. Its as if they were the plot of the movie.. in the beginning both sides were judging each other BEFORE GETTING TO KNOW THEM.. How can you judge a movie from the 1st 15 mins! Thats like judging someone by their skin colour or if you think they are ugly or hot when you 1st meet. That person could be amazing but you never gave them a chance because you judged by what they looked like... Thats what this movie is all about, getting to know the people before making judgements.

P.s I am white, I have black family memebers. My neighbor and her kids are black and i think of her as a 2nd mom. And I smile big when i see her grand kids because i don't want them to think all white people hate them because we don't. We should be teaching our kids to love each other not believe eveyone hates them before they even meet.

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.

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