After seeing a trailer, and reading everything I could find, about the movie, I was anxious for it's opening in theaters. At the first possible opportunity I went with a freshly convinced friend. We were both extremely satisfied, pleasantly entertained, and with giddy grins from ear to ear.

Similar to films such as Dirty Dancing and Center Stage, Save The Last Dance integrates a racially charged relationship, aspiring dreams, and modernized choreograpy. Girl goes to a new place. Boy meets girl... they butt heads, become friends, and eventually possibly more. They work together towards a dancing dream. People around them disapprove, hound, and generally make life difficult.

Though Save The Last Dance isn't based on a particularly new theme, it is definitely distinctly geared toward the younger generation of present. MTV worked together with Paramount on this project; challenging modern racial issues, exploring the evolving hip-hop world, and utilizing an almost wholly new musical line-up to the common listener. Once again, new lingo is introduced, as is the mandatory ghetto foul-language.

Julia Stiles has made her mark in mostly teen-based films, and she's pulled it off once again. Her mix of angst and innocence is portrayed beautifully on screen. Together with Sean Patrick Thomas, they create an intense chemistry that makes the circumstances all that much more believable.

As for the actual dancing involved in the movie. I proclaim no expertise in that area, nor to the authenticity of any hip-hop or ballet. All I do know is that I love to dance, get my groove on, and to watch others do it better than I. From my novice stand-point, the choreography was fresh, new, exciting, and somewhat "slammin'!"



Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older