It’s not easy for me to criticize dance films. They are like mother’s milk to me, and I always feel so good while watching one! That’s why I am thankful whenever a movie like Into the Beat comes along, no matter how repetitive the plot may be. As long as the dance numbers shine, I’m a happy camper.

However, Into the Beat is much more than a dance film. It’s a lovely  father/daughter drama with emotional scenes that go straight to the heart. And it shows the value of hard work as well as the importance of keeping true to yourself. I also admire the three key cast members, who deliver such amazing and believable performances.

Newcomer Alexandra Pfeifer carries the main role of a talented young ballet dancer who accidentally discovers the excitement of hip-hop at a crucial time in her budding career. Trystan Pütter (War Horse) plays a famous ballet star who wants his daughter to follow in his footsteps. And Yalany Marscher (Wolf’s Turf) portrays a young hip-hop dancer and love interest for the conflicted ballerina.           

Dancing reigns in INTO THE BEAT.

Ballet and hip-hop here compete. 

Teen ballerina has to choose

which form of dance that she will lose.

Her journey makes us empathize.

We hope she earns important prize.  

Her father won fame for ballet

and wants her in ballet to stay.

She feels like flying in hip-hop.

She shines within. How can she stop? 

Film’s dance routines look great and new.

 But ballet dances are too few.

Lively hip-hop group numbers are a treat in Into the Beat, but it’s marvelous duets by Pfeifer and Marschner that blew my mind. Their final routine exudes passion and mixes a little ballet with hip-hop. What a great number! I want to see more. 

These two young actors also share a special romantic chemistry in other  scenes.  Here’s hoping we see them together in future productions. My recommendation? A hip-hop “Romeo & Juliet.”

Directed and co-written (with Hannah Schweier) by Sefan Westerwille (Lose Your Head), Into the Beat goes on my list of favorite dance movies like Step Up,  Make Your Move, Dance Baby Dance and High Strung Free Dance.

I don’t want people who want to dance. I want people who HAVE to dance. --- George Balanchine

To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power and it is yours for the taking. --- Agnes De Ville

Dance is the hidden language of the soul. --- Martha Graham

(Released by Netflix. Not rated by MPAA.)