Fresh
While their transformation is predictable, it's quietly enjoyable, and the teen angle opens the door to romance and gritty gang-war subplots.
Anna Smith, Time Out
Overview
A former professional dancer volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system and, while his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based on the story of ballroom dancer, Pierre Dulane.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
44%
Tomatometer
Rotten
it's just ridiculous, it's just ridiculous. One cliche right after another. Not for one second did I believe any of this.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Fresh
While we may be able to pretty much guess everything that's going to happen in Take the Lead, its considerable charm lies in the way it fulfills, rather than bucks, our expectations.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Rotten
Think of it as the fictionalized version of last year's engaging documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, with teen dancers and sexier moves. It is also more formulaic and cliched, thanks to the predictable plot and theme.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Fresh
Take the Lead is pure entertainment, if only for the endless amusement of watching Banderas spread the gospel of ballroom like he was born wearing a tuxedo.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
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