I really like the film, it's entertaining and it adds a new feel to usual hip hop films that you see. I understand that some people were not impressed by the acting in certain points, but the creators of the film made do with what they got. The plot line is unoriginal, but they more than make up for it by using the unoriginal concepts in an original way. For example, If you were to compare this to You got served; you can see similarities of people risking their future to win a competition and how they usually turn out to be underdogs but end up winning. In this case, they made it original with the characters that they have and original with the kind way they execute the story.

The best appeal "Born to Dance" could offer is its New Zealand root, not its storyline. It virtually has the same plot from many other dance movies, even dating back to decades before. Fortunately, the dance choreography is smooth enough to get the momentum going and for several scenes, especially the later ones, it leaps above its cryptic narrative.

Story is tediously bland, this might appeal with audience unfamiliar to dance movie, but if one is exposed to "Step it Up" franchise or even "Magic Mike", there's nothing fresh in term of narrative. It's a tale of Tu (Tia Maipi), an aspiring dancer who auditions for K-Crew, the winner of many competitions. He soon finds out that his dream isn't as easily achievable as he thought.

It's filled with cliché such as the overly vilified antagonist, the love interest who is tied to said antagonist and the gathering of rejects in hope dethrone the defending champ led by the now motivated main character. This rigid formula follows things already done in almost exact screenplay and the magic wears off fast.

The good parts come, like many other dance movies, when they leave the dialogue and communicate with body language. It has few of the uplifting choreography and it uses the culture aspect appropriately. There are some sketchy scenes where the visual feels drab, but when the music hits it holds up pretty nicely.

"Born to Dance" won't revolutionize the dancing genre or take it by storm, but in its core it's a light fun movie saved by the distinct choreography.

Dance movies, a genre that has been done over and over, and generally follows the same recipe. A down on their luck person who is amazing at dancing but is given an ultimatum, if they don't do something with their life there will be consequences, so miraculously an opportunity pops up and they have the shot to try out for their dream, their dancing dream, *insert love triangle here*, usually they do well, then something happens so they can no longer dance, and then as we all know they find a way to dance again and do amazing and everyone loves them and they win, they always freaking win! This movie pretty much followed that exact storyline, which isn't bad of course, but is predictable, it will most likely leave you satisfied, The movie I wasn't sure if it could be classified as a part comedy or really just a music drama, maybe it's the fact some of the acting is below par and that watching other New Zealanders trying to be serious is slightly embarrassing and awkward.....I don't know, maybe I'm over-analysing it. But I'll get into some semantics:

Bad points: the accent, I get it, it's set in South Auckland but not all Nzers sound like that, and when they talk like that I don't believe it makes it internationally sell-able, the acting, well, apparently most of the 'actors' are dancers not actors, so that's pretty self explanatory, the storyline - leaves little to the imagination.

Good points: It was enjoyable as a whole, I wouldn't be against recommending it, it was light-hearted and easy to follow, but the best thing about it was the dancing! it was sooo 'en pointe'....see what I did there?....dancing reference...no?....sorry haha, but no in all seriousness the dancing was amazing, not surprising considering the choreography was done by Parris Goebel who didn't she win the Hip Hop world champs several times? and name drop, was a choreographer for Jennifer Lopez! That's right, of course that part was going to be amazing! The music was good too, slight request though, if a singer is acting in the movie please refrain from featuring more than one of your songs....it is a little bit cringey, unless the movie is about you, then let it go. You act or have your songs featured, it's not a music documentary...Stan Walker *cough* *cough* Scribe *large cough*....wait, Scribe is still around... he was hosting the event, he's taken up acting, what is this! I also like that they they represented the gay community, slightly over- exaggerated but hey what do I know.

To wrap it up, it was good, but not amazing if you want to see a light-hearted movie with fantastic dancing go see this movie, don't hold your breath for any amazing plot twists or any new story lines cause you are not going to get that here.