The TV success of ‘So you think you can dance?’ hasn’t waned yet and that’s probably because the show is so darn motivational it even makes me want to get up and crump a bit. And the producers have he knack of bringing out the personalities of the competitors in interesting ways. So this film, directed by first timer and Aussie born Steven Jacobson, ‘Center Stage: Turn it up’ has already got a foot in the door by picking its time perfectly at least in Australia. Who knows? It may be a tad late in the USA, but it IS on the money for a feelgood story in hard times. It is the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2000 feature film “Center Stage”which was an enjoyable dance movie.
AUSSIE BORN DIRECTOR STEVE JACOBSON (L) (NAH, NO RELATION TO 'KENNY') WITH PETER GALLAGHER.
“Center Stage: Turn It Up” follows Kate (Smith), a talented, self-taught ballerina, who leaves her Detroit home to audition for the prestigious American Ballet Academy in New York. Despite displaying superior abilities and impressing experienced teacher Cooper Nielsen (Stiefel), Kate is rejected by Artistic Director Jonathan Reeves (Gallagher) in favor of classical ballerina Suzanne (Sarah Jayne Jensen). A prodigy from a wealthy family, Suzanne has been trained in classical ballet since the moment she could walk. Kate then meets hockey player-turned-dancer Tommy (Kenny Wormald), who has been accepted to the Academy, but still needs help with his technique. As Kate and Tommy work together, their growing affection inspires a new determination and commitment to achieving their dreams.
While the story is formulaic (poor girl from Motown journeys to the Big Apple to follow her dream of studying Ballet in the nation’s top dance academy, meets cute boy, endures trials and displays other talents to carve her niche on the city)it really doesn’t matter much. The acting is a little wooden and school-play like, but again, you go there for the dance which is brilliantly choreographed and nicely shot in lots of hand-held camerawork. There is a huge cast of super-talented dancers. The lead, Rachele Brooke Smith, not a tall girl, is no skinny beanpole of a classical ballerina but has a beautiful body and face to match with a glowing smile that, thanks to her lively eyes, isn’t totally fixed in panto dancer-style. There is a lot to like about the film, not the least of which is the face that all its characters have a good and bad side. But what worked for me was to see these kids working their backsides off to refine a skill and to seem to enjoy the process. Set in the exclusive and painful world of the fictitious New York City American Ballet Academy, “Center Stage: Turn It Up” reunites the much loved indy actor Peter Gallagher and ballet star Ethan Stiefel, reprising their roles as Academy Artistic Director Jonathan Reeves (Gallagher), and talented teacher Cooper Nielsen (Stiefel). Rachele Smith and Kenny Wormald (both in their first film roles) as aspiring dancers heading ofr life as pro dancers, are the central focus but are supported by a huge cast. Those in the know would be able to recognize some stellar choreographers in amongst the B-boys.
The music score is really engaging as well, mixing classical with street beats.
The film appears to have been made for telly as the Oxygen network will air the premiere on Saturday, November 1 but it makes it to a theatre in Australia thanks to Hoyts on October 30th . Every dance fan should see it, as much for the motivational experience. But my only reservation is that it would have been so refreshing to see a film like this NOT falling back on formula. The script is the only weak spot in its predictability. I did find myself mouthing the dialogue a couple of beats before it fell from the mouths of the cast.
But don’t let that put you off! It is engaging and entertaining and well worth the cost of a ticket. Take the kids.
October 30th. Hoyts Chadstone
