Matthew D
Sofia Carson is hilarious as a mean teacher leading a group of misfit girls into being a synchronized dance team!
Director Elissa Down’s family music comedy-drama Feel the Beat (2020) is super cute! Sofia Carson is spectacular as this hilariously mean dance teacher, who is awful to these students. Then she gets to know the girls, and inspires them to be better. Elissa Down’s direction is very brisk, deftly going from dance numbers to a blaze of jokes. I found the romance sincere and tender too. Writers Shawn Ku and Michael Armbruster’s story is quite cute, earnest, and funny. They naturally lead into all the dance numbers that are well balanced between the comedy, drama, and romance.
Feel the Beat takes influence from Bad Teacher, Bring It On, Step It Up, Sweet Home Alabama, Miss Congeniality, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Footloose, Flashdance, The House Bunny, and School of Rock all rolled into one fun family movie. Having the teenagers, kids, and parents all get tons of cute jokes helps the upbeat tone of Feel the Beat. I am actually impressed by the intricate and artful dance numbers choreographed by Mia Michaels.
Sofia Carson is astounding as the cruel dancer turned lovable teacher April Dibrina. Carson is beautiful, hysterical, moving, and romantic in this inspired turn as April. She does tons of excellent dancing, sign language, and effortlessly delivers jokes that had me cackling. It’s insane that Hollywood has not cast Sofia Carson in more musical films because she’s phenomenal in The Descendants Trilogy and Feel the Beat. Wolfgang Novogratz is wonderful as April’s small town love interest Nick. He’s very natural and brings out the romantic and caring side of Sofia. He’s a very good sport for his dance scenes and all his humorous scenes. He’s got great romantic chemistry with Sofia and works as the handsome romantic hero.
Donna Lynne Champlin is very funny as the encouraging and kind dance teacher Barb. Rex Lee is great fun as the nice Broadway producer Welly Wong. Brandon Kyle Goodman is funny as the fashion designer friend Deco with his different hair color every scene. Enrico Colantoni is honest and encouraging as April’s father Frank Dibrina.
Eva Hauge is very touching as Nick’s sister Sarah and a great dancer! Lidya Jewett is great as the girl Kari, whose mother does not approve of her dancing. Shiloh Nelson is moving as the girl Ruby who cannot seem to master the routine. Kai Zen is funny as the little girl June, who has to keep doing push ups. Justin Allan is adorable as the little boy Dicky, who joins in the dancing since his dad Coach Buzz, portrayed by Dennis Andres, always leaves him in the dance studio anyways. Drew Davis is good as the athlete Sarah likes named R.J. Pamela MacDonald gets an amusing cameo as Ruth Zimmer.
Editor Jane Moran’s slick cuts easily send the audience between heartfelt drama and playful dancing. Cinematographer Amir Mokri gets increasingly artful with his wide and medium shots during the dances. I love all of the close-ups on Sofia smirking during a joke or sincere during a dance moment. Composer Michael Yezerski’s film score is lovely. The soundtrack is quite fun with "Work Dat (So Dat)" by Kylie Diehl, "Confident" by Demi Lovato, "A Little More" by Alessia Cara, "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C+C Music Factory, “All I Wanna Do Is Dance" by Mozella, and “Always" by Sofa Carson. Costume designer Shelley Mansell’s pretty dance outfits really flatter Sofia nicely.
In short, Feel the Beat is a delightful family comedy that Sofia Carson dazzles in throughout all 107 minutes.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/25
Full Review
Nacho G
This movie trys to be serious but I just keep laughing from it! I can't take it serious lol!
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
07/22/24
Full Review
Anabelle
It was funny and had a great message! Loved the movie!!!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/03/24
Full Review
Sheena L
Great inclusive movie, great learning to grow and change story. Awesome actors and great pace of the story. Loved this movie.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/16/24
Full Review
Richard
Predictable but cute
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
09/01/23
Full Review
Kupferman J
This is a feel-good movie, about a dancer who goes back to her home town unwillingly, finds herself roped in to working with a group of very diverse children, and they all bring out the best in each other and, of course, finally win the national dance contest. The dance routines aren't spectacular but the film makes you see how good it feels to dance, and how even those who aren't perfect can do it and look great. The most fun is when a little boy spontaneously jumps in to save the show and turns out to be terrific. It's fun and leaves you smiling and happier than you were before you watched it.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
07/02/23
Full Review
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