The storyline follows a dance team at Harlan High School in San Antonio called The Silver Dazzlers and the film explores what the team does from testimonials of the dancers and their coach. As a documentary, the camera work is pretty good although at times the color grading is off, as if there is filter over the footage. In particular, the scenes from performances lack boldness. Those seem to be from a single camera shooting from the stands and there's an imaginativeness missing from those scenes. However, keep in mind that it is a documentary, so they have to work with what they have.
What is inspiring is the insight from the dancers whose experience with the Silver Dazzlers is so much more than a hobby or an extracurricular. It truly helps shape who they will become and leaves behind lasting memories. The music is one of its shortcomings, although it has some excellent choices, not all are. For example the opening doesn't work very well because of the music. The wistful piano feels way too insincere. There's a needle drop during one of the more insightful moments when one of the dancers is overcome with emotion while being interviewed and a song called Human comes on and it feels way too sappy. I had no idea who the Silver Dazzlers were prior to viewing this film. Certainly the performances of the Silver Dazzlers are very impressive. It is a story exploring the efforts and skills of youth. At 90 minutes, it's a bit too long. At some points, it feels like a prolonged home video, because it doesn't reveal enough of a universal message to capture an audience outside of San Antonio.
I give We Are Silver Dazzlers 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It's a lovely coming-of-age film that would play well for tweens and teens. Reviewed by Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
The storyline follows a dance team at Harlan High School in San Antonio called The Silver Dazzlers and the film explores what the team does from testimonials of the dancers and their coach. As a documentary, the camera work is pretty good although at times the color grading is off, as if there is filter over the footage. In particular, the scenes from performances lack boldness. Those seem to be from a single camera shooting from the stands and there's an imaginativeness missing from those scenes. However, keep in mind that it is a documentary, so they have to work with what they have.
What is inspiring is the insight from the dancers whose experience with the Silver Dazzlers is so much more than a hobby or an extracurricular. It truly helps shape who they will become and leaves behind lasting memories. The music is one of its shortcomings, although it has some excellent choices, not all are. For example the opening doesn't work very well because of the music. The wistful piano feels way too insincere. There's a needle drop during one of the more insightful moments when one of the dancers is overcome with emotion while being interviewed and a song called Human comes on and it feels way too sappy. I had no idea who the Silver Dazzlers were prior to viewing this film. Certainly the performances of the Silver Dazzlers are very impressive. It is a story exploring the efforts and skills of youth. At 90 minutes, it's a bit too long. At some points, it feels like a prolonged home video, because it doesn't reveal enough of a universal message to capture an audience outside of San Antonio.
I give We Are Silver Dazzlers 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It's a lovely coming-of-age film that would play well for tweens and teens. Reviewed by Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
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