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On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: Aug. 13, 2013
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Flashdance Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    35

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    Time Richard Corliss

    Like Saturday Night Fever and, for that matter, the Rocky films, Flashdance has made it big by taking experiences of black youths and playing them in whiteface. But unlike its grittily romantic predecessors, Flashdance is pure glitz.

    Read Full Review

  • 38

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    If Flashdance had spent just a little more effort getting to know the heroine of its story, and a little less time trying to rip off "Saturday Night Fever," it might have been a much better film.

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  • 40

    out of 100

    Variety

    Watching Flashdance is pretty much like looking at MTV for 96 minutes. Virtually plotless, exceedingly thin on characterization and sociologically laughable, pic at least lives up to its title by offering an anthology of extraordinarily flashy dance numbers.

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  • 40

    out of 100

    The New York Times Janet Maslin

    With a score by Giorgio Moroder, and with ingenious costumes that are utterly au courant, Flashdance contains such dynamic dance scenes that it's a pity there's a story here to bog them down.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Flashdance reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 15+

Cinderella tale with sex, Spandex, and '80s pop.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that despite its R rating, Midwest working-class setting, and sexy vibe, FLASHDANCE is largely fairy tale, a glamorous wish-fulfillment pop fantasy for teen girls on what being an adult is like. There is a brief visit to a graphic, downscale nudie bar, strong language, and drinking and smoking. You might point out to your teens that working at a strip club is not as glamorous as it appears to be here.

  • Families can talk about this version of adulthood and pursuing your dreams vs. what to expect out in the real world. Why do people like cinderella stories?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Though she works as an exotic dancer (for the politest crowd of guys you'd ever want in such an establishment), the self-sufficient heroine is an empowered, urban-Cinderella type whose independent streak even makes her refuse any Fairy-Godmother-ish offers to make her career path easy for her.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: One fistfight.

  • sex false5

    Sex: The heroine has a passionate affair with her boyfriend/boss, and there is a brief visit to a nudity-filled strip club.

  • language false3

    Language: Some strong Language.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking (especially in the club scenes), and the heroine smokes cigarettes when upset.

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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