Imdbidia Take the Lead is loosely based on the program developed by the Palestinian professional ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine to change the life of problematic kids in schools.If you read the plot summary you already know how the story is going to go, how the film is going to end, and the sort of characters you are going to meet. If you decide to go on and watch the movie and then expect something different, well, it is like expecting pears to be apples.The formula: The teacher who believes in marginal kids, teach them something arty or sporty and brings them to a competition, where they shine and surprise themselves and anybody who thought they didn't deserve a go. There is dancing or singing or sport playing and a motivational coach. Magic formula that has worked for decades with basically the same format, since Sidney Poiter made To Sir, With Love in 1967, to Sister Act 2 in 1993, and Coach Carter in 2005 just to mention three famous examples.These movies succeed because they inject a dose of hope and love into marginal problematic children or teens who are talented but live surrounded by poverty, violence and lack of healthy role modes. It shows a belief in the goodness of anybody with problems, that being rich and having money doesn't make you more talented, that if you give troubled kids an opportunity, preach them by example and teach them to respect themselves anything is possible. Of course, reality is like a jar of ice-cold water on the dream, but it is still a nice dream. In this movie is partially so, because Dulain's programs are still being used in schools. One can argue that children living in such surroundings could never achieve anything, even if they had talent, but there are famous actors and directors in Hollywood who did just that. This movie is not about "it will happen to most people", it is about "this can happen to you despite your circumstances". That is why these movies succeed and are enjoyable to watch.What makes this movie successful is the cast, not the main stars but all the the young kids playing the troubled high-school students. They not only have a great talent as actors despite their youth, but some of them are fantastic dancers as well. Some of the young actors in this film already are reputed Broadway/TV actors, singers and/or dancers. All of them are terrific. Perhaps my favorite is Rob Brown, a natural before the cameras but, to be fair, all the young guys shine and it would be unfair to credit just a person for the goodness in the movie.The soundtrack is fantastic all throughout the film. The starting scene is very cool. Some of the musical numbers are terrific. My favorite ones are the Tango between Banderas & Katya Virshilas, and the final dance performances, especially that Jenna Dewan Tatum with Dante Basco and Elijah Kelley, and that of Rob Brown and Yaya Dacosta.Watch the movie without expecting to be anything that never pretended to be, knowing that this is not supposed to reflect real life, it is to remind us that dreams are possible even when you are poor.

lastliberal Yes, I know another teacher in the ghetto movie, but this one is really good.Antonio Banderas is fantastic as a dance instructor who want to teach things like respect and courtesy through ballroom dancing. You know, of course, how it will turn out. All of these movies end the dame, whether it is To Sir With Love or Stand and Deliver or Lean on Me. There are classes all over New York and moving across the country following the lead of Pierre Dulaine.It is the music that really makes this film - a combination of ballroom tunes and rap. The energy is continuous. The tango in the classroom was exquisite.There are a lot of interesting characters in this film, as there always is with this type of work. You will enjoy them all.

moviewizguy In New York, the polite dance instructor Pierre Dulaine sees a black teenager vandalizing the car of the director of a public school and on the next day he volunteers to teach dance to students to give respect, dignity, self-confidence, trust and teamwork. The reluctant director Augustine James offers the troublemakers that are in detention expecting Pierre to give-up of his intentions. Pierre struggles against the prejudice and ignorance of the students, parents and other teachers, but wins his battle when the group accepts to compete in a ballroom dance contest.So this was the week of dance movies. I didn't expect much of the plot from this film, and I wasn't surprised. This movie, like any other dance films is predictable and clichéd. Still, I liked the plot and followed with it. I've also seen this film for the dances. How were they? They were as good as, if not better, than dances from "Step Up" but not as much as "Stomp the Yard." You can hardly compare the three different dance styles.The flaw I've found about this was that you would have to suspend your belief a little. Yeah, you probably wouldn't believe what you see on screen would be "based on a true story," but you just go with it and have a fun time watching. Out of the three films i've watched, I would consider this as the best.Antonio Banderas is good as always, in this film. The unknown faces in here also gives some good performances. The music in here is really great and energetic. Like I say with my last two dance movies: Watch this movie for the dances, not the plot.

buiger It's a shame, I really wanted to give this movie a better rating, in spite of all the political correctness (which in this case amounts to nothing more than wishful thinking) and in spite of the story often veering off into fairy tale territory, but the ending completely destroyed and made me forget anything that was good in this film. How can the filmmakers be so dumb and not see that nobody (and I mean nobody) will buy that type of silly ending, so plastered with good feeling and political correctness, that you can see the sweet, sticky glue oozing out from all pores... It is ridiculous! To consider that all this is supposed to be based on a true story makes things even worse. The real Pierre Dulaine should sue for slander!On the other hand, what is positive in this film is a good premise/storyline which could however have been developed much better, made much more realistic. Also positive are most acting performances (especially Banderas who is very convincing in his role, I must grudgingly admit), the sound quality and the dancing. It's a real pity the film eventually veered off in the wrong direction.