Coup de foudre sur la glace

"Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream" is an ABC original movie that doesn't fail to entertain but is rather formulated and cliché, especially since the previous two movies in the Cutting Edge series have the same plot: An ice hockey player teaming up with an ice figure skater to win an ice figure skating competition. I personally find it annoying, why can't the figure skater turn into a hockey player to win the ice hockey championship for a change? Anyways, following the exclusive "Cutting Edge formula," through their partnership, the players get infatuated to each other, or should I say "fall in love". The actors were okay, I thought Francia Raisa did a great job acting as the high-headed and aggressive hockey player while Matt Lanter looked good but wasn't all that interesting. Christy Carlson Romano didn't have much to do except walk around and look unsatisfied as their coach.

Sad remake trying to insert hispanics into figure skating. Producers need to lose this mo...stop replacing white roles. Forced diversity isnt appealing.

I can describe this movie in one word "Addictive". I loved the first Cutting Edge, and I liked the second but I can not remember the last time a movie has had such an impact. Matt and Francia were wonderful actors and along with the whole cast, they brought this movie to life and made it seem real. It reminds me of the start of mine and my husband's relationship. When I found out this movie was coming on TV I had to record it and have watched it every night since. The story line, the music and the skating draw you in and make you feel a part of this movie. If you are a skater, ice or roller you will be "Motivated" to go skating after this movie. If you like Romance and Skating this is definitely a Must See Movie and Must Have DVD.

OK, not sure why I felt compelled to comment on this movie, but having now sat through both the original (pretty good), the 2nd one (awful), and this one (much better), I have a good basis of comparison.

This was not high art, but it was a FAR better movie than the 2nd one. the key here being a pair of relatively unknown actors in the leads who did a nice job and had real chemistry (especially the female lead who was full of bounce and sass without being obnoxious). The leads in the second one were so horribly awkward it was like pulling teeth, but here you have likable and sympathetic characters. And the script lets them be likable too -- another thing that the 2nd movie got horribly wrong.

Unfortunately parts of the script are also the biggest weaknesses with this movie. There a handful of awkward scenes, and down the back half of the movie it was as if they hired some hack to try to artificially find some way to plagiarize as much of the original movie as possible and force it into this one, even when the pacing and fit was off.

But any romance is basically about the romantic leads. If they succeed and work well together, then the romance works. If they don't, it doesn't. Well, in this one they did. And so, not a classic, but eminently watchable for this sort of thing.

... close to the (cutting) edge ... I'm trying not to lose my head ... haha ... it's a wonder sometimes ... no wait, I think I got the last lyrics wrong. Anyway, lest I forget: no pun intended with my re-quoting a hip hop classic. Actually while this feels like a classic rom-com, it also feels a bit updated from the other entries. Especially the camera work. Which is necessary considering that story wise there are not many surprises.

The actors are good enough, you know the beats though (story beats that is). I may take a break from ice skating movies. As good as this looks, there is not much to keep ones attention there ... especially the fabricated "issues" that occur from time to time ... that aside, if you are into movies like this, you won't mind the predictability - enjoy if you can.