Review of Jump In! (2007) by Dano S — 16 Dec 2007

Probably more enjoyable for those who couldn't quite stomach "High School Musical", as it runs in the same theme but without the spontaneous bursting into song, sudden revelations, and Romeo&Juliet spin. A more serious story (though the darker aspects only hinted about or mentioned--such as the antagonist's father being in jail, the protagonist's mother being dead, what exactly was being implied and made fun of when people found out Izzy was being "girly" by jump roping, and more), and played out much more realistically than High School Musical was (though it does have its "Disney" moments as it is a Disney movie). Also much more of an emphasis on staying close as a family in addition to being yourself and going your own way.

Very witty dialogue, with few-to-none cringing or corny lines (the worst it gets I believe is "I'm sick of being mad all time", which I rather liked honestly) in the entirety of the movie. The only complaint I have about it is the somewhat forced romance of Izzy and Mary...but it was done better than some others that I have seen, and isn't the main focal point of the movie.