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War/Dance Review

Release Date: Nov 09, 2007
Rated: some thematic material involving descriptions of war atrocities
Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.
Genres: Art House/Foreign, Documentary
Director:Andrea Nix Fine, Sean Fine

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile <h3>Dave White</h3> <p><strong>Your Movies.com Man at the Multiplex</strong></p> <br /> <p>Dave White's first movie review was of the animated feature Snoopy Come Home. He was seven years old...<a href="http://www.movies.com/movie-reviews/dave-white">Read full profile</a></p>

… they sing and dance, and you end up crying. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

4.0

68

out of 100

Metascore^®
Generally favorable reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
40

out of 100

Variety
While the pic may be targeting Westerners who want to feel less awful about genocide and global negligence, it's hard to imagine War Dance appealing to that crowd -- or any other.

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70

out of 100

The New York Times Stephen Holden
War/Dance, in spite of its slickness, is an honorable, sometimes inspiring exploration of the primal healing power of music and dance in an African tribal culture.

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70

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter
A refreshingly upbeat film that finds its roots in some seriously sobering events.

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80

out of 100

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
An enormously emotional and spirit-raising documentary.

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See all War/Dance reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 14+

Riveting story of pain and beauty in Uganda.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that though this film is uplifting, some of the stories told by the children in this movie depict graphic horrors of war. Some speak of murder, some speak of abduction. The film takes place in a refugee camp in Northern Uganda where evidence of poverty can be overwhelming. But the Acholi tribe acts with dignity, which is a lesson in itself.

Families can talk about how the children of the Acholi tribe survive. How is their life different from yours? Can you imagine living without electricity? How does music change Dominic's life? What makes Rose happy?

The good stuff

Messages: Touching examples of how young people care for their siblings when parents aren't available.

What to watch for

Violence: Children talk about the brutality of war; how they saw parents and others killed and abducted, and how some were forced to be child soldiers.
Sex: Not an issue
Language: Not an issue
Consumerism: The children of the Acholi tribe have no access to electricity or running water. Going to the big city blows them away.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.141

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by joyfulllovelyjj

Read all War/Dance reviews at Fandango