Save the Last Dance

Let's get one thing straight. Teen movies are starting to get unbearable. So it is a relief when something like "Save the Last Dance" comes along and offers something up that's just a little off of redundancy. There seems to be a lot going on here, with the main characters dealing with everything from death of loved ones to single parenthood to racial issues. You don't see THAT often in teen movies! But what it really comes down to is DANCE! Julia Stiles plays a former ballet dancer whose dreams are self-imposingly dashed by a tragic event, and the rest of the movie is about her re-chasing her dream in totally different circumstances than what she's used to (mainly: being the only white girl in a rough Chicago all-black neighbourhood). The movie does touch upon a lot of issues, as previously mentioned, but none of them are explored enough to give the film a lot of substance. What does make the film somewhat enjoyable is the dance sequences and the performances. There seems to be a real chemistry between Stiles (who's great in everything she does!) and Sean Patrick Thomas, who is really talented! I've only seen him in supporting roles, but this film shows he can be a leading man. The scene stealer award goes to Kerry Washington, who is so much fun in every one of her scenes. I hope to see a lot more of her in the future. IN A NUTSHELL: It's good to see a teen film that deals with more issues than just prom dates, and it will make you think, but it's not deep enough to be more than just a "dance" movie in the same vain as "Centre Stage" and "Dirty Dancing", culminating in long dance routine by Stiles, and when the routine is over, everything is resolved. Are all the issues REALLY resolved? Only in Hollywood!! Skippy's Rating: 7/10

Yeah, the movie started like it actually may have a point to it. Then, after she went to that club (I don't even remember the name of it and I saw it three hours ago), it just went downhill. It was more of a fish-out-of-water kind of movie than a movie about dancing. It was so predictable, I was counting off the seconds from when they were about to kiss! The only good point was that Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas had such good chemistry and were so cute. Still, it didn't make up for a shallow plot, stereotypes and an idea that went nowhere.

Unless you like cheesy MTV-style teenage movies of the ilk of Flashdance, this may not be for you. If you do, it's a well-made piece of that easily digestible junk-food genre. For me, it was interesting mostly because of the dancing (fusion of hip-hop and ballet). There's some interesting performances, even if the editing is there to show the dancefloor moves to a perfection that might not have actually been achieved by Julia Stiles. The standard boy-meets-girl, gets-her-to-realise-her-dream-as-a-dancer-stuff is the stuff large buckets of popcorn were made for . . .

I just saw Save the Last Dance and I loved it. Julia Stiles is now one of my favorite actresses. She and Sean Patrick Thomas share a chemistry that makes every scene seem so real. I also enjoyed the performances of Fredro Starr and the rest of the cast. I am definately going to buy this movie when it comes out on DVD. Despite what others might say and have said, MTV makes great films(The Wood is one of my top three, and I loved Varsity Blues and Can't Hardly Wait). Anyway, I recommend this movie. 10 out of 10.

Save the Last Dance is one of those movies that's so nostalgic, you can't help but forgive how cringe it can be at times. I mean, yes, the dialogue is cheesy, and the dance moves might feel a little dated now, but that's part of its charm. It's a classic from the early 2000s, and honestly, it's a movie I find myself wanting to rewatch every now and then-just for the vibes.

The story of Sara, a ballet dancer who moves to Chicago after a tragedy, and Derek, a guy from a very different world who helps her rediscover her passion for dance, still feels heartfelt. The chemistry between Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas is solid, even if some of the scenes make you roll your eyes a little. And that final audition? So iconic, even if it's a mix of awkward ballet and hip-hop that would never fly in real life.

But that's the beauty of Save the Last Dance. It doesn't have to be perfect-it's raw, full of teenage angst, and drenched in early 2000s vibes. A solid 7/10 for me, and definitely a must-watch when you're in the mood for a nostalgic trip back in time.