Dance Academy

Actually, this is good viewing. The script goes a bit off the rails, and the acting isn't brilliant (although there are a couple of good actors in it), but its primarily a dance film, and anyone who loves dance should see this. The dance talent is 10 out of 10, and some of the guys are gorgeous!! On the dancing side of things, a lot of work has been put into this film by the dancers themselves. Just a shame they haven't been more successful. If you've seen Salsa or Lambada and thought it was your sort of thing, then this film is worth watching. Not many of the cast are household names (well, practically none if I'm honest!!) but they deserve more recognition; Steve La Chance was impressive. The only totally wooden actress in my opinion was the middle aged headmistress of the school, with the curly hair. So mundane, I cant even remember her real name. God knows what casting were thinking of; she lets the whole film down.

My review was written in November 1988 after watching the movie on Vidmark video cassette.

This pleasant teen dancing film was shot in 1o986 prior to the influential release of "Dirty Dancing" and harks back to "Fame" for inspiration. It bears the moniker "Body Beat" for U. S. release and originally was titled "Dance Academy" in Europe.

Tony Dean Fields portrays David Bronson, a/k/a Moon, a wise guy sent to shake up Julie Newmar's classical ballet dance academy tiwh some modern jazz technique. Pic limns the professional struggles and romantic entanglements of the students, mainly proletarian hero Steve La Chance, sexy flashdancer Galyn Gorg and talented singer Paula Nichols.

Similar to "Staying Alive", helmer Ted Mather climaxes the feature with an overdone, glitzy production number on stage for a big talent showcase, but otherwise the choreography of Dennon and Saymber Rawles is naturalistic. Attractive young cast makes a good impression, particularly Nichols (who doesn't dance, but sings and plays keyboards), La Chance and Gorg.

Plot is weak asw are the songs, mainly by brothers Guido and Mauricio De Angelis, known for their Italian film soundtracks and backers of this Italian/U. S. co-production. Production values in both L. A. and Rome are fine.

How is this Movie a Cheesy Movie VagrantFilms? It's probably One of the Best Dance-Music-oriented Movies of the '80s I've ever Seen.

The Main Characters are all Very Talented Dancers: Steve LaChance & Tony D.Fields to begin with, the Music has Strong Hooks and though the dialogs and the ideas presented are typically '80s (and that's probably 'cause it was Shot in the '80s.. Dah!!), it's very Funny and Entertaining and I don't even think it's a 'Staying Alive' rip-off as the Plot is Completely Different.

Never quite became successful though, but I saw it the First Time in the Summer of '89 when I was 9, and I watched it today for the 1st time after 20 years and My Opinion hasn't changed at all! I'd recommend this movie to anyone who's looking for a Genuine Production exuding Positive Emotions and Challenge and not the Negative Crap that's been coming out for the past 10 years or so.

Actually, I Wish I Could Go Back to those Days...

I loved this film, but then I do adore all those eighties cheesy, dance/romantic films. I saw this about 8-10 years ago now, and luckily still have it on VHS (yippee)! Dance Academy does have a weak plot but the soundtrack and dance sequences more than make up for it. What made if for me was the quite plausible romance plot-line between the lead Vince (Steve Lachance) and Jana (Gayln Gorg). I thought their dance sequences were brilliant and very moving. I also loved Moon (Tony Fields) in the movie, and was willing him to get together with Paula (Paula Fields) in the film as they were truly destined. Juliette Newmar as the Head Dance teacher was a bit wooden, as was her side-kick, but having said that still added to the overall charm and nostalgia of the film. I would fully recommend it if you loved Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Getting Physical, Sing or Footloose. Too many to mention

Certainly this is a bad movie, but gosh darn it I spent many an hour in my early teens watching and rewatching it. I always dreamed i could perform one of those cheesy fairytale romance dance number and be whisk someone way. And then there is a real gulity pleasure sappy romance ballad that is made completely for the sheer purpose of making girls and young fags (like moi) swoon with Glee!!!