The dance routines are great - of course. This is a dance movie, after all. The ballet and street dance are given equal treatment in terms of respect and quality. The overt messages are all good, if a bit unoriginal: "Don't chase success, make success", "Never give up on your dreams", "Loyalty comes before personal gain", and "Respect differences". This last, however, comes with an interesting, unspoken lesson.
All through the film, we see how street dance is more "accepting" than ballet. In ballet, you must move in set ways, be of a certain age and body-type, and follow the traditions. In street dance, everyone is welcome, and pretty much anything goes. This is said, both in the dialogue and in the characters' actions. So, ballet-dancers are snobs, and street dancers are cool, right?
Except, when Breaking Point begin their competition performance, they open with classical music. The entire crowd starts to boo, without even waiting for the dance to begin. The booing and jeering doesn't stop until the music changes to something that they approve. This is the "cool", "anything goes" street dance scene, but they are just as prejudiced as anyone else.
A balanced message, and all the better for being unacknowledged in the film. No scene is perfect, but within any and every genre you will find tolerant, open-minded and friendly individuals.
All through the film, we see how street dance is more "accepting" than ballet. In ballet, you must move in set ways, be of a certain age and body-type, and follow the traditions. In street dance, everyone is welcome, and pretty much anything goes. This is said, both in the dialogue and in the characters' actions. So, ballet-dancers are snobs, and street dancers are cool, right?
Except, when Breaking Point begin their competition performance, they open with classical music. The entire crowd starts to boo, without even waiting for the dance to begin. The booing and jeering doesn't stop until the music changes to something that they approve. This is the "cool", "anything goes" street dance scene, but they are just as prejudiced as anyone else.
A balanced message, and all the better for being unacknowledged in the film. No scene is perfect, but within any and every genre you will find tolerant, open-minded and friendly individuals.