HIGH STRUNG (2016) Review
Directed by Michael Damian
First of all, it is really weird to come up with a film trying to fuse violin playing with dancing. Yes, they have something in common which is music, but the result isn’t always as impressive as the filmmakers think it would be.High Strung is one of those unheard of films that’s getting a release in the Philippines, not that it’s bad, it’s just that dance movies are mostly alike and this one isn’t really trying to be different.
The film nearly tries to replicate the formula of dance movies and young adult adaptations. The leading man is the mysterious but irresistible and charming young guy and the girl is like a damsel in distress, fragile and found more meaning in life when she finds the person she’s about to love. There’s chemistry, yes and the two do have the looks the film needs to establish the ideal love angle in its story.
High Strung has some pretty impressive dance sequences but its fusion of dance and violin playing is sometimes messy and uneventful even for its finale. It’s not the worst dance movie out there, but it’s also not the best. It’s just something you would enjoy if the YA romance is your thing and you’re also into dance movies like Step Up.
2 OUT OF 5 STARS
“High Strung” is now showing in Philippine cinemas nationwide from Pioneer Films. Rated PG by the MTRCB.