Step Sisters

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.

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!

Script wasn't the greatest in this film. The first half was full of narcissistic personalities and over the top stereotyping... Then the second half delved into some topics relevant to this day and age and made it a much more interesting watch - alongside some awesome dance talent! TL/DR: wish that the great, relevant, thought-provoking themes of this film were given to a better writer and director (imo). Great steps!

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 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.