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.

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

So I started watching this because I was super bored and as all of the rest of the reviews state, the first half of this movie is super played out and so cheesy you can't help but roll your eyes. Then, literally halfway through the movie it changes and gives real dimensions and honestly addresses a lot of things that are super relevant and need to be addressed. I was PLEASANTLY surprised and I will absolutely recommend and watch this movie again.

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!!!)