Metacritic Movie Ratings
Take the Lead Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 75

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  Antonio Banderas is reason enough to see the movie.

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• 63

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  The movie's best moments are between Banderas and the kids. When the plot shifts to reveal the students' back stories (one has a prostitute mother, another a drunken father), the story becomes a melodramatic rehash of other movies, like "Fame" or "Rent."

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• 60

  out of 100

  Variety

  Well-intentioned, feel-good urban tale.

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• 60

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen

  Things hold together longer than they would have without Banderas' commanding, committed performance.

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• 50

  out of 100

  The New York TimesStephen Holden

  Take the Lead, despite its nifty concept and fiery leading man, feels sloppy and rushed.

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• 33

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

  Antonio Banderas is a charming and talented man, but in Take the Lead he lays on the old-world panache so thick - the accent, the flowery courtliness, the romance of romance - that he comes off like Dracula's metrosexual cousin.

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See all Take the Lead movie reviews at Metacritic.com