To the Beat!

As a no American, everything was going well UNTIL it had the scene with the kids talking to their MOTHER about their Dad and as usual, American writers had to include the sickening thing about someone being in the Military which has NOTHING to do with a Dance film, ugh, no one outside of the USA cares about it.

This magnificent film kept me dancing on my feet the entire time. I used to take hip-hop classes, so I couldn't help but dance along. It amazes me how talented the dancers are, and their dedication truly inspires me. I cannot believe some of the girls have been dancing since they were 3 years old. Even if you are not a dancer, you will certainly want to become one after watching this film.

Twin sisters Mia (Brisa Lalich) and Mackie Castillo (Laura Krystine) are passionate, 14-year-old dancers who constantly support each other in every rehearsal and competition. Although they have danced for their entire lives, both have distinctive dance styles. Mackie loves jazz and Mia is exceptional with tap. Their honed dance skills are put to the test when their favorite popstar arranges a contest for the best five dancers to appear in his upcoming music video. The girls must create their own routine in order to advance to the next stage. Mackie and Mia form separate teams and get help from their friends and family to receive the most online votes. When one of the best dancers, Avery(Jayden Bartels), decides to join the competition, tension arises among the girls, because Avery tries her best to get the upper hand in the competition.

Mackie is such a strong, independent girl. She constantly encourages her sister Mia to never doubt herself, even when Avery thinks she is the best dancer of them all. My favorite character, hands down, has to be Avery's mom (Martha Madison), because she wants to be in her daughter's music video. She loves Paula Abdul and embarrasses her daughters, but she is Avery's number one fan. Each character is vastly different, but they juxtapose each other quite well.

The dancers' outfits are impeccable. A few girls wear leotards; some wear leggings. But Mackie's team has the best outfits. During the final competition, Mackie's team wears silver jackets, which are very stylish. In addition, this film is set in Simi Valley, which is not far from where I live. I go to the Simi Valley Town Center sometimes, and I enjoyed seeing the girls walk around where I shop.

My favorite part is when Mackie and Mia execute their handshake. You can see how they have an unbreakable bond. I love how both sisters appreciate each other and never fight. I have a younger sister and, seeing how they truly respect one another, reminds me of my relationship with my sister. I love my sister more than words can say and you will love your sibling even more after watching this film.

The message of this film is that hard work certainly pays off. Treat your family with love and care, because they are always there for you, through thick and thin. Never let competition keep you from achieving your dreams and always remember to believe in yourself.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars, recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Actually, it is perfect to watch with your family. After watching this film, you and your family will be closer together.

Reviewed by Samantha M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.

My 9 year old loves this movie. It's cute but I couldn't handle the acting. Looks like they live in a massive house in the Hollywood hills but the single Mom needs two jobs to pay the bills. Wouldn't want to sell that house and live within your means so you have more time for your kids or anything. Yes I realize it's made up but come on people.

People turning 40 know what online videos are, they know how to film them, they know what a "like" is, they know how to upvote. People that age were teenagers during the dawn of the internet, not 30. Get it straight. Enough of the stereotypes though, why the low class, cheap writing? It's 2018, we don't need to mock and reduce people to mindless archetypes for the sake of filling out a script.

These kinds of products look like the work of production companies who offer to the parents of aspiring starlets the chance to finance their own starring vehicles, with the help of their relatives and friends and hiring some pros past their prime, like a vanity project available to whoever can pay the bills. If that's the case, the absence of casting executives make possible to put on screen people without any kind of experience and/or talent, keeping the pretense that this is more than a glorified dance academy gala.

Now that movie equipment isn't as expensive as two decades ago it's possible to create the resemblance of a profesional work even with low resources, distributing this kind of flicks in second tier streamings maybe to comply with contracts.

The result is an amateurish flick like this one and many others available here and there. Watch it if you don't have nothing else to do some day.