Are you looking for a feel-good movie to watch with your family? If so, I recommend Feel the Beat on Netflix. The movie is now available for streaming and I stumbled upon it when I was browsing my Netflix account for movies to watch. While it does miss a few steps here and there, overall it’s a fun movie for families. So get ready to turn up the volume and Feel the Beat.
Keep reading to find out why I think Feel the Beat on Netflix is kid friendly.
Feel the Beat on Netflix
I love a good dance movie but not all dance movies are kid friendly (hello Dirty Dancing and Flashdance). Feel the Beat isn’t a perfect movie by any means, but that’s actually one of the key messages of the movie. The main character in the movie is April (played by Sofia Carson), who is a dancer living in New York. Her dream of performing on Broadway becomes derailed when she ends up mucking up a big audition. Disappointed in herself, she moves back to her small hometown and ends up teaching a local dance team of misfits. While she’s used to taking the spotlight for herself, she has to learn to work with her students to guide them to a big competition. And in the process, discover what is truly important.
Is Feel the Beat Kid Friendly?
Yes! It was one of the more kid friendly movies that I’ve seen in a while that isn’t an animated film. It’s definitely better than Artemis Fowl on Disney Plus. One of the reasons why Feel the Beat is kid friendly is because of its TV rating.
Feel the Beat is Rated TV-G
Because the movie is rated TV-G, it means that it’s intended for all ages. I completely agree with the rating and I’m breaking down my reasons below.
Lack of Violence
There isn’t any violence in the movie per se, although the main character, April, can be very mean towards others. In one of the opening scenes, she accidentally causes someone to fall off a stage. And she can also be mean to the girls on the dance team. We learn why her character acts tough, but it doesn’t make her a very sympathetic character, especially at the beginning of the movie. This is where I felt like the movie missed a few steps - an unsympathetic character can sometimes ruin the movie for audiences, especially when the character is someone who we are supposed to be rooting for. However, April eventually redeems herself.
Lack of Profanity
I only caught one curse word in the movie - a**. Other than that, the language is very mild. Instead, I heard more phrases like “cheese and crackers” than anything else. Some people might find this cheesy (no pun intended), but this is one of the reasons it’s kid friendly. However, because it is about a dance competition, there are some music lyrics that are a little on the edge. But again, nothing that I felt is inappropriate.
Lack of Sexually Suggestive Scenes
There is not any nudity in the movie, nor are there any sex scenes. There are a few kissing scenes, and April ends up in a compromising situation with her ex-boyfriend when he drops her while he’s trying to lift her in the air for a dance move. Also, some of the dancers, especially April, wear somewhat revealing costumes…..but private body parts are never shown.
Mature Content
If there’s one thing I did not like about the movie, it’s how April treated others, especially her students at the beginning of the movie. Her former dancer teacher tries to brush it off by saying they need to be patient with April and that she’s always trying to be perfect, but I’m not one to excuse other people’s bad behavior. April’s tough exterior is eventually chipped away, but this is this is something that parents do need to take into account as well as the recurring issue of abandonment. Also, one of April’s students feels embarrassed after padding from her bra falls out during a dance move. Instead of brushing this scene off, the movie deals with it in a sensitive manner.
Overall Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. Not only did I enjoy the costumes and the choreography, but I also loved the message. April strives for perfection, but it’s the imperfections that make her - and her students - real. And that’s worth celebrating - and watching.
About Feel the Beat
When talented, self-centered dancer April (Sofia Carson) is banished from Broadway, she grudgingly moves back in with her dad (Enrico Colantoni) in her small Wisconsin hometown. Trying her best to avoid everyone in her tight-knit community, including her first love Nick (Wolfgang Novogratz), April is reluctantly recruited by her former dance teacher (Donna Lynne Champlin) to coach the town’s misfit group of young dancers. Initially believing she’s found the path back to Broadway, April gains so much more. A love letter to small towns, FEEL THE BEAT is a heartwarming comedy about chasing your dreams.
I really enjoyed watching this movie.