Great dance films are hard to come by these days. It seems that cheesy melodrama and fluff always seem to get in the way. There have been hits like Dirty Dancing and Footloose, but the last great dance film was probably Saturday Night Fever in the 70's. Not only did that picture offer great dance sequences, it had a strong story about youth and vibrantly captured the disco era. The new dance film Center Stage is certainly best when it leaves the drama in the wings.

Taking a cue from the much smarter Fame, Center Stage centers around a group of aspiring Ballet students who learn about life and love, while attending a dance academy.

Center Stage touches on just about every topic you'd expect jealousy, competition, parental confrontations, and even eating disorders.

The dialogue is obvious and the romance angles are all too familiar. What really works in Center Stage is the insightful look at the tough and sometimes brutal world of dance. Ballet isn't for wussies, these dancers are athletes and they put their body through the ringer just as much, if not more, as any pro athlete might. Above all, Center Stage has some truly dynamic dance sequences highlighted by a spectacular number at the film's end. Beautifully choreographed, brimming with energy, and fun to watch, it's almost worth the price of admission alone.

Although Center Stage is glued together with predictable melodrama, it does have its moments, and as a story about teen-angst, it sure beats She's All That and Varsity Blues.