It should have been a good movie. The premise was there...but the script was horrible and the acting worse. Why is Samantha such a princess? Why is her Mom such a ditz? Who gets an Olympic Trial letter in the mail?! There are so many plot holes and ridiculous jumps I am amazed this turkey was released. My 6yr old grandson, who loves horse movies, didn't last 20 minutes. I continued watching, because I kept HOPING it would get better. It just got worse...the "panic" filled search for a missing "grief stricken" Samantha ( seriously?!?!? Can we just say Barney Fife would have been more convincing) and then the sudden and miraculous performance of :The Horse Dancer...ugh. This is a couple hours I'll never get back. DON'T waste your time!

"The Horse Dancer" is based on a real summer camp for kids in Michigan. There is a great line spoken by the mean old businessman, who refuses to offer financial support to the failing camp: "I'm funding Obamacare!", proclaims the self-made man. Based on the results of Obamacare, his money would have been better spent on Black River Camp. Despite his lack of philanthropic motivation, the counselors and the kids at camp pool their resources to help save the camp.The best relationship in the film was that of the gymnast Samantha and her grandmother. It was only unclear why Sam was such a prima donna, other than it was a necessary plot device. With the good influence of the grandmother, Sam shouldn't have been so grumpy.The filming was beautiful with the farm, the animals, and the idyllic site for a summer camp. But the singing sessions were pretty bad. It wasn't no much the lousing singing, but the obnoxious lyrics that were grating. On the other hand, the silliness of the "flag" ritual and the jaw-dropping stupidity of the "announcements" were so bad that they eventually became endearing features of summer camp.It was refreshing to watch a film with some decent values. The theme of teamwork was heartfelt, and the lead performer was a terrific gymnast. There was great comaraderie among the counselors and campers that embodied a truly positive spirit of Black River Farm. Bravo!

As a Michigan Actress, I would like to give a round of applause to the Director/Actor: Joel Paul Reisig, for this outstanding film! Though I was not in this film personally, I did attend the premiere and was so proud of everyone for their hard work and dedication. What a beautiful family-friendly film. The script dealt with so many emotions, sad, happy, loss, challenge, excitement, and more. It was wonderful of the Director to include so many young actors and to allow them to experience being in a feature film. The quality and clarity of the filming were superb! Bringing in a few actors from Hollywood made the film that much exciting. From start to finish, this film grabbed my interest and my eyes never left the screen till after the credits. The premier was an autograph signing event, glitz and glamour and the respect and admiration the Director has for each and every cast member were admirable. Thank you, Joel, for making a difference in the lives of actors, of all ages.

Samantha Wick (played by 17-year-old Sophie Bolen) is a talented and young, American gymnast. She's also standoffish with a defensive personality. After getting cut from the U.S. Olympic team, her ailing grandmother pays for her to go to a horseback riding camp. When said campsite falls into financial turmoil, Samantha uses her notoriety and equestrian vaulting skills to attract more students and save the entire program.That's the gist of The Horse Dancer, my latest review. Shot on location at Black River Farm & Ranch (in Cromwell, Michigan), it definitely has production values to boot. On the flip side, "Dancer" is also creepily childlike. And within its first forty-five minutes, you might see shades of the worst screen offering via 2017.With G rating and nearly two-hour running time intact, The Horse Dancer at times plays off like an inexpert student film. It contains novice, wooden acting by almost everyone involved and a Muzak soundtrack that may make you cringe indelibly. I suppose without troupers Jason London (Dazed and Confused) and Richard Karn (of TVs Home Improvement) in supporting roles, this flick wouldn't even have the chance to get green- lighted.Helmer Joel Paul Reisig does improve on "Dancer's" second half by settling in and giving it a more dramatic feel. And his direction although all over the place, still comes off as enthusiastic and somewhat authentic. Unfortunately, it's all too little, too late. And it can't compensate for what I mentioned in the last two paragraphs. Not by a long shot.Parents who are able to sit through most G-rated films, might find The Horse Dancer to be a little tasking with its cramped dialogue exchanges and its overly lily-white nature. As for the kiddies, well they may embrace it depending on their non-animated attention spans and their tolerance for a mostly unlikable main character (her antagonistic counselor rival is no prize either). Overall, a mixed review from me.