This is a remake of the 1980 film about the kids that go to the New York School of Performing Arts. We follow the students from freshman year through graduation at the High School of the Performing Arts in New York, as they work to perfect their talents, and learn life lessons along the way. The students are Kevin (played by Paul McGill), Alice (played by Kherington Payne), Jenny (played by Kay Panabaker), Victor (played by Walter Perez), Denise (played by Naturi Naughton), Malik (played by Collins Pennie), Joy (played by Anna Maria Perez de Tagle), Marco (played by Asher Monroe), Neil (played by Paul Iacono), and Rosie (played by Kristy Flores).
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In the first year, the students learn this school is tough and no one gets a free ride. Expectations are very high because so many other students want to get into this school but cannot. Alice is a good dancer, but Kevin needs a lot of work. Jenny is too shy in acting class. Denise is an excellent piano player but Victor has a long way to go. When all the students hang out in the lunchroom, they spontaneously break into a dance routine. Malik has severe troubles at home with his mom who is an alcoholic/addict. Denise becomes his friend.
During the second year, all the dancers are doing very well, except Kevin. In music class, Victor cannot follow the music as written and always wants to improvise, which makes the teacher upset. During acting class, Malik reveals very personal stuff about his sister that died. When the teacher probes him for more details, he runs out while telling everyone he will be famous for sure, even if they don't think so. Malik hears Denise singing while she plays the piano. Malik tells Victor about how good she is. Victor asks her to sing on his new album. She agrees, if they keep it a secret because her domineering father would not approve as he expects her musical efforts to be with classical music. Later at a party, Malik plays the song. Keeping the promise, Malik tells everyone he does not know who the singer is, but this makes Denise mad, much to his surprise. Joy is caught on video doing a rap in public when really drunk and throwing up. Jenny and Marco fall in love.
During the third year, Joy is irritated because she never wins, when she auditions. Neil makes headway with his student film project. Jenny goes with Marco to a party. She meets another guy that used to go to the same school, who tells her he will introduce her to his agent. Marco gets jealous when Denise gives him her phone number. A record company executive gets interested in the demo produced by Victor and Malik with Denise singing. The boys are happy until they find out the record exec is only interested in Denise. Joy gets a part in "Sesame Street” and she is elated. Jenny and Marco's relationship has a challenge, when another guy makes the moves on her, which she rebuffs. Neil loses $5,000 he gave to a supposed producer that was going to help him make his film.
In their final year, Kevin still is not good enough as a dancer. Because of this, Kevin tries to kill himself but his friends stop him. Alice leaves the school to go on a world tour breaking up with Victor in the process. Joy leaves the school to work on the kid's television show. Denise sings at a hip-hop concert, against the wishes of her parents who want her to pursue a career in classical music. However; when they hear her sing, her mother is very impressed. Her father is furious but her mother calms him down. Kevin decides to be a dance teacher instead of a performer. At the end, there is a big dance number as the finale.
Best part of story, including ending:
I like this film because it updates the original one, yet stays true to its theme, which is - have the courage to follow your dreams.
Best scene in story:
The best scene by far is the finale because the dancing and singing are uplifting.
Opinion about the main character:
All the characters in this film experience inner growth, which makes them a better person. That's nice.
