Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018)

Honey: Rise Up and Dance is the kind of movie that reminds you why dance films endure: when the beat drops and the bodies start moving, the screen practically breathes. It’s fueled by high-voltage choreography and a soundtrack that keeps the momentum humming, while the cast’s easy chemistry makes the studio feel like a real community you want to root for. Teyana Taylor brings a magnetic presence that gives the film extra snap and confidence, elevating it beyond a routine underdog story into something genuinely fun to watch. If you’re looking for subtle drama or a fresh reinvention of the genre, this may not be your pick—but if you want an energetic, crowd-pleasing dance ride with heart, it delivers.

Honey: Rise Up and Dance clearly wants to be an upbeat underdog story about finding your voice through dance, with a shiny, competition-fueled push toward a scholarship dream. The problem is it plays almost entirely on autopilot: the plot hits every expected beat, the acting often feels like rehearsal footage, and the choreography rarely delivers the wow factor the franchise promises. If you’re coming for sharp performances, fresh storytelling, or truly standout routines, this will likely feel like a watered-down sequel rather than a must-watch. That said, if you just want light background entertainment with a familiar dance-movie vibe and don’t mind a glossy, low-stakes ride, it can still scratch that comfort-watch itch.