272 reviews
The Magic is Missing
This remake may have a great cast of actors but Dirty Dancing isn't just about the iconic lines and scenes. It's about the magnetic connections and tension between the characters, the swagger and desire, innocence and curiosity, and pushing the boundaries of the 1980s movies. Simply put, the magic is missing. The vibe, the joy, the heartache - none of it is there. Sometimes, remaking a classic movie is the WRONG move. When they get it right the first time....leave it alone! No need to waste three hours watching this film.
- divadenton
- May 23, 2017
- Permalink
Too many changes from the original
- melheather
- May 23, 2017
- Permalink
Just like Dirty Dancing without the dancing and emotion
First of all, the good. The music was fairly good. If the actors did their own singing, they did a decent job. Also, once you got past the two leads, the actors were pretty good.
The bad was the dancing and connection between the main characters. Unlike the original, you see no emotion between them. The dancing was not even near the original in quality. While the backup dancers were very good, the leads reminded me of the week 4 participants on "Dancing With The Stars". Most of the dancing was shot around the dancing. Few full body dance steps were seen as most shots were upper body shots leaving us to wonder what their feet were doing.
I did like the idea that Baby was watching the stage version and reminiscing about that summer. The ending gave some closure to their future lives.
I have seen the original, the stage version and now the remake. The original is still far and away the best, the stage version a distant second and the remake not worth your time. Neither capture the character development and emotion of the original.
The bad was the dancing and connection between the main characters. Unlike the original, you see no emotion between them. The dancing was not even near the original in quality. While the backup dancers were very good, the leads reminded me of the week 4 participants on "Dancing With The Stars". Most of the dancing was shot around the dancing. Few full body dance steps were seen as most shots were upper body shots leaving us to wonder what their feet were doing.
I did like the idea that Baby was watching the stage version and reminiscing about that summer. The ending gave some closure to their future lives.
I have seen the original, the stage version and now the remake. The original is still far and away the best, the stage version a distant second and the remake not worth your time. Neither capture the character development and emotion of the original.
- jsaus63304
- May 24, 2017
- Permalink
Awful dancing not just dirty
Take all the charm,romance, chemistry and fun of the 1980s summer loving flick. Now toss it in a rock timber until all that great stuff is ground off in an abrasive mess of modern musical, ham handed choreography, bad hair cuts, worse costuming and back ground actors that are better looking than the main cast and you have dirty dancing 2017. This movie could not decide what it was. Romance? Kind of but not really. Caution tale? Well it draws on the moral delima of affairs but keeps them coming. Musical? If you like musicals with lots of dialog and a dinner theatre soundtrack. Remake? In the modern tradition absolutely. As they took what worked and removed it to make something else with the same name. I think it's a horror film. It's cheesy, has bad acting, a low budget with old name actors looking for a payday, stormy nights and a lurking ancient evil. That evil being the demon of remakes feeding on the souls of the cast. Honestly every person involved in this film should give everyone who watched it 5 dollars and a written apology.
- blades_n_stone
- May 23, 2017
- Permalink
Awful....Patrick is rolling over in his grave
This is seriously horrendous. Abigail Bresline is not a good dancer, she's not fit enough to be Baby and her outfits are awful. The dude playing Johnny is not good looking and a horrible actor. AND what is with the singing?!!! This is not a musical! ugh.....I hope this get's erased from history never to be seen again.
Please ABC make it stop
- Jessica-katz5
- May 24, 2017
- Permalink
Horrific Atrocity
This is seriously one of the worst remakes in history. It was entirely and wholly miscast. Debra Messing? Seriously? She wasn't even relevant in Will & Grace. This film had no heart, no taste, no class and no chance. I had to watch the original just to erase the memory of what I witnessed in this movie. It's the only chance you'll have to un-see this movie.
- thegarbagecan-958-793427
- May 24, 2017
- Permalink
OMG, just awful.
I'm sorry, I don't know what they were thinking wanting to remake this movie, because there is no one quite like Patrick Swayze. I mean, Swayze wasn't super good looking, but he had charisma, swagger and he was a great dancer.
None of the dancing in this rehash is up to par, I'm sorry, but it's the truth. It's OK dancing, but in the original the dancing was vibrant and real.
The guy playing Johnny is OK, he just doesn't have what Swayze had in spades.
But the casting of baby, yikes, I think it was so wrong. They should have put Sarah Hyland in that role and see what she could do.
The music was as great as before, but again, just buy the original soundtrack.
It's hard to grasp why this is just so painful a rehash / remake, since it has a great cast.
I think it's just one of those cases where the original cast was just superior and you can imitate it but it just won't work.
If you liked this, watch the original and you'll feel the steamy heat between Swayze and Grey!
None of the dancing in this rehash is up to par, I'm sorry, but it's the truth. It's OK dancing, but in the original the dancing was vibrant and real.
The guy playing Johnny is OK, he just doesn't have what Swayze had in spades.
But the casting of baby, yikes, I think it was so wrong. They should have put Sarah Hyland in that role and see what she could do.
The music was as great as before, but again, just buy the original soundtrack.
It's hard to grasp why this is just so painful a rehash / remake, since it has a great cast.
I think it's just one of those cases where the original cast was just superior and you can imitate it but it just won't work.
If you liked this, watch the original and you'll feel the steamy heat between Swayze and Grey!
Just Plain Terrible.
Probably the worst remake in the history of the remakes! In this movie "Baby" couldn't dance in the beginning of the movie, nor could she dance at the end of the movie!! Terrible casting for that part and others. There was absolutely no chemistry between Baby and Johnny... I mean none. I truly feel bad for people that were a part of this movie, it's embarrassing.
The only thing this movie accomplished (other than wasting allot of people's time) was highlight how good the original was.
The only thing this movie accomplished (other than wasting allot of people's time) was highlight how good the original was.
if you like the original, don't watch
This was painful to watch. The change in storyline and and relationships/situations was terrible. Cast was even worse, especially Baby. Also, there was singing added, which didn't work and completely through off the dynamic between the characters. Overall, completely terrible. Watching the original as I write this - what were they thinking??
- LoriCStapleton
- May 23, 2017
- Permalink
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but.....
Time is infinite, with any generational reference simply a personal recollection..... overlapping and intertwining..... as each new life takes its first breath, along with each departing life offering its last, and somewhere in between those parameters, we all live.
As each sunset marks larger segments of our chronology, there is a never ending tendency to reminisce about the "good ole days", when in reality, what we experience now in the present will be the current, more youthful generation's "it's sure not like it used to be" reference when making similar future comparisons.
Now, from my own emotional perspective, although I can't possibly imagine how anything or anyone appearing in a remake presented on modern day television can compare to a movie like the original "Dirty Dancing" of thirty years ago, I can only hope as they watch this attempt, today's viewers will form those same fond irreplaceable memories I did, so during their later years, they can look back, take pause and smile as I do now in retrospect.
However, if I may borrow from that great American Patriot, Archie Bunker.....
"Those were the days!"
And with all due respect to those involved in tonight's presentation, as "nobody puts Baby in a corner", no one should have ever presented what was shown on screen this evening.
As each sunset marks larger segments of our chronology, there is a never ending tendency to reminisce about the "good ole days", when in reality, what we experience now in the present will be the current, more youthful generation's "it's sure not like it used to be" reference when making similar future comparisons.
Now, from my own emotional perspective, although I can't possibly imagine how anything or anyone appearing in a remake presented on modern day television can compare to a movie like the original "Dirty Dancing" of thirty years ago, I can only hope as they watch this attempt, today's viewers will form those same fond irreplaceable memories I did, so during their later years, they can look back, take pause and smile as I do now in retrospect.
However, if I may borrow from that great American Patriot, Archie Bunker.....
"Those were the days!"
And with all due respect to those involved in tonight's presentation, as "nobody puts Baby in a corner", no one should have ever presented what was shown on screen this evening.
- weavermovies
- May 23, 2017
- Permalink
Overhated
If you actually gives this remake a chance, it's not so bad, especially if you view it as it's own thing and not compare it to the original. I love the expanded storylines for all of the side characters, especially Baby's parents. I love the singing and that they had new artists update the same soundtrack from the 1987 film. It's a really cool concept that I think everybody should give a chance.
Now, are the leads as captivating as Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey? No. Abigail Breslin is a talented actress but she was terribly miscast as Baby. Colt Prattes had the unfortunate task of trying to fill Patrick's unfillable shoes and that overshadows how insanely talented he is, especially his vocals!
Give it a chance. Is it perfect? No. Is it the original? No. Enjoy it for what it is anyway,
Give it a chance. Is it perfect? No. Is it the original? No. Enjoy it for what it is anyway,
Not as bad as expected
- melissajerickson
- May 28, 2017
- Permalink
One of the most tragic remake-mistakes
3 hours I can never get back....
I'll put it to you this way...I have been on IMDb for many, many years and THIS is my first review because I am compelled to ware people to "Save yourselves!" One of the worst remakes I have ever seen. The acting , lip-syncing and dancing were all terrible. The iconic ending saw soo bad especially when everybody was trying to sing. It was just ridiculous.
- Misskitty60
- May 24, 2017
- Permalink
Baby belongs in the corner - Contains spoilers
- engelbrechtjacqueline
- May 25, 2017
- Permalink
Dirty Dancing? More like Stiff as a Board.
Oh god I wish that I could say there was good things in this remake but unfortunately the bad outweighs the good. Let's start out with casting. Abaigail Breslin possibly the worst casting ever she had no chemistry with her co-star, she had absolutely no rhythm so watching her dance was a painful experience in itself and to add insult to injury I found her to be extremely annoying to watch. Colt Prattes wasn't horrible and I didn't mind his rendition of Do You Love Me but I just couldn't see the chemistry between his character and Baby with Nicole Scherzinger and Katey Sagal sure there was the chemistry that was clearly lacking with Abaigail Breslin but I could see why people were commenting that Nolan Gerard Funk would've been a better Johnny. Sarah Hyland did great with what she was given and honestly I would've preferred her as Baby. The parents were irrelevant I mean why were they even given a story line. The music was meh. I mean they destroyed She's Like The Wind but whatever. What killed me was the dancing. I mean it's called Dirty Dancing for gods sake and there was none of that. It was supposed to be great dancing culminating into an amazing end dance number and all I saw was something truly cringe worthy. Nothing but swaying, a few basic side to side steps and some twirls thrown in for effect. It was nothing but a disappointment and don't get me started on that ending lord what a waste. So that's 2 hours I'll never get back. So do yourself a favor you wanna watch Dirty Dancing watch the original because this will suck out your soul and leave you ranting at what they've done to such an amazing film. If I could rate this a zero I would. A 1 is being generous.
- emmajordan2687
- May 30, 2017
- Permalink
Waste of time
Dirty Dancing 2017
I am watching the new version of Dirty Dancing. What a DUD ! The casting is all wrong. The main guy looks like he should be in the movie "Grease", He cannot even come close to having the moves and expressions like Patrick Swayze did. The girl is too chubby and hasn't got the "hair" like Jennifer Grey or the smooth moves either! She looks stiff. The original was one that is still loved by so many people and no remake can ever hold ones attention like the first one. This is NO tribute to Patrick...He would be insulted if he were alive to see it. RIP Patrick. You and Jennifer were "Dirty Dancing"...the look, the dancing, even the music which is wrong in the remake. I can't even give this movie a single star. Sorry Jennifer...they really screwed this up! Should have been left alone!
- trygod-38163
- May 23, 2017
- Permalink
I thought I was in a nightmare
I maybe watched 10-15 minutes of this and thought I was in hell. The acting left nothing to be desired. I couldn't believe I even sat as long as I did watching this. Do yourself a favor and watch the original Dirty Dancing, you will see more magic and chemistry. This version had 0 chemistry. I can't believe Katy Segal even agreed to be in this one.
- evanvorous
- May 25, 2017
- Permalink
awful awful awful
Cringeworthy scenes...watch at your own risk
Did they do justice to the original.
Heck NO!
Was it terrible?
Pretty much!
Did I finish the whole movie?
Yeah. (So sue me)
But . . .
Despite this movies cringeworthy scenes I kept watching just to see what would happen. And the changes they made had me on the fence. While I liked the expansion of the family dynamic and a few added characters, it still was horrid.
I didn't feel any chemistry between the leads. It was like watching nails scratch a chalkboard.
And then that ending!?
I mean I get it, sort of. But really what was the point? I understand the realism that they were going for but when you do that to icon characters.
You got backlash. Right? Anyway, watch at your own risk.
Heck NO!
Was it terrible?
Pretty much!
Did I finish the whole movie?
Yeah. (So sue me)
But . . .
Despite this movies cringeworthy scenes I kept watching just to see what would happen. And the changes they made had me on the fence. While I liked the expansion of the family dynamic and a few added characters, it still was horrid.
I didn't feel any chemistry between the leads. It was like watching nails scratch a chalkboard.
And then that ending!?
I mean I get it, sort of. But really what was the point? I understand the realism that they were going for but when you do that to icon characters.
You got backlash. Right? Anyway, watch at your own risk.
- musicalfreakgurl
- Sep 14, 2019
- Permalink
Why it hasn't been given any chance
It is a great movie, if you do not know the original. A lot of the times you make a remake of the classics, you get angry and disappointed, but really if you switch of that thing in your head that compares the remake to the original, and give it an honest chance, the movie is really good. It is one of the best remakes I have seen of the good classic movies recently, and maybe it's because I never really have seen the original Dirty Dancing as one of my favorite movies. Give it a chance, be openhearted to this movie, and watch it like you haven't seen the original, and I think there is a chance that might actually like it.
- louisedahljensen
- May 28, 2017
- Permalink
Yes it has its problems, however
I don't think it's as bad as most of the reviews on here would have you believe. I agree about Abigail Breslin, I don't think she was the right choice for the role of Baby and she absolutely should have been a better dancer by the end of the film than what she was - most of the dance scenes seem like Colt was putting in all the work and she's just standing there! Plus the original Baby was strong willed and feisty, this version seems really watered down (but that's probably more the writing than Abigail's fault).
Colt and Abigail weren't believable as a couple however I liked Colt's version of Johnny. I know, it's almost sacrilidge to criticise the original however I never liked how the original Johnny cared so much about what Baby's dad thought of him. Colt plays him like he's a bit more defiant.
I love that they fleshed out the characters of the other family members and actually gave them storylines. It was a summer which changed all their lives, not just Baby and Johnny's. plus I love the addition of Marco's character.
I thought the singing was a good addition too (who doesn't sing along to those songs!) There's no point making a carbon copy remake of the original and thought it felt natural to have the characters sing as well as dance.
Colt and Abigail weren't believable as a couple however I liked Colt's version of Johnny. I know, it's almost sacrilidge to criticise the original however I never liked how the original Johnny cared so much about what Baby's dad thought of him. Colt plays him like he's a bit more defiant.
I love that they fleshed out the characters of the other family members and actually gave them storylines. It was a summer which changed all their lives, not just Baby and Johnny's. plus I love the addition of Marco's character.
I thought the singing was a good addition too (who doesn't sing along to those songs!) There's no point making a carbon copy remake of the original and thought it felt natural to have the characters sing as well as dance.
Epic Disaster
They took a beloved classic and bloated it to three hours by adding story lines that weren't necessary and cutting others that were beloved. They updated and re-imagined all the songs making the characters sing them. I was either laughing or cringing the entire movie. Poor Abigail Breslin, this was not the role for her, her portrayal of Baby had all the personality of a wet dish mop. Sadly she had little to no chemistry with Colt Prattes (Johnny Castle). I don't know if it was the costuming or the undergarments, but I was distracted by Baby's chest region just about every time she was on screen. You couldn't not see them. Sarah Hyland cast as Baby's sister Lisa may have been a better choice for Baby. Bless their hearts they tried - but they epically failed. It took watching the original three times to rinse this version from my mind.