Banderas leads the way in 'Take the Lead' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Holly · 04-10-2006, 01:54 PM

April 7
By JAY BOBBIN

With recent successes like “Mad Hot Ballroom” and TV's “Dancing With the Stars,” it was only a matter of time until another dance movie came our way.

Although “The Turning Point,” “Saturday Night Fever” and -- of course -- “Dirty Dancing” are among the standout examples of giving film treatment to dancing, it's not the easiest match, especially in terms of couching it within a logical story. Given that, “Take the Lead” is a reasonably good example of how it can work.

A master of smooth moves in more ways than one, Antonio Banderas proves to be a good choice for the central role of a dance instructor who decides to make a group of high-school delinquents his latest students. He encounters his share of skeptics, not the least of whom is the school's principal (the always-excellent Alfre Woodard), but he's convinced that the discipline required to fare well in ballroom dancing will translate into the lives his generally troubled pupils lead.

That will particularly give young viewers a lot to root for in “Take the Lead,” but audience members of all ages should appreciate the energetic performances by the picture's younger cast members, who deserve extra kudos (not unlike “Dancing With the Stars” victors Kelly Monaco and Drew Lachey, who certainly learned a lot in a concentrated period of time) for mastering the art of the tango.

And in tying everything together here, one cannot underestimate the charisma of Antonio Banderas. He gives his character the magnetism and authority necessary to make “Take the Lead” believable ... and even if the picture doesn't hit that target 100 percent, the score is still impressively high.

(Rated PG-13)

04-10-2006, 01:54 PM	#1
Holly I LOVE SUNSETS :) Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: Albany NY Posts: 5,748	Banderas leads the way in 'Take the Lead' April 7 By JAY BOBBIN With recent successes like “Mad Hot Ballroom” and TV's “Dancing With the Stars,” it was only a matter of time until another dance movie came our way. Although “The Turning Point,” “Saturday Night Fever” and -- of course -- “Dirty Dancing” are among the standout examples of giving film treatment to dancing, it's not the easiest match, especially in terms of couching it within a logical story. Given that, “Take the Lead” is a reasonably good example of how it can work. A master of smooth moves in more ways than one, Antonio Banderas proves to be a good choice for the central role of a dance instructor who decides to make a group of high-school delinquents his latest students. He encounters his share of skeptics, not the least of whom is the school's principal (the always-excellent Alfre Woodard), but he's convinced that the discipline required to fare well in ballroom dancing will translate into the lives his generally troubled pupils lead. That will particularly give young viewers a lot to root for in “Take the Lead,” but audience members of all ages should appreciate the energetic performances by the picture's younger cast members, who deserve extra kudos (not unlike “Dancing With the Stars” victors Kelly Monaco and Drew Lachey, who certainly learned a lot in a concentrated period of time) for mastering the art of the tango. And in tying everything together here, one cannot underestimate the charisma of Antonio Banderas. He gives his character the magnetism and authority necessary to make “Take the Lead” believable ... and even if the picture doesn't hit that target 100 percent, the score is still impressively high. (Rated PG-13)