Alive and Kicking – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Alive and Kicking

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

68%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A feel-good documentary about swing dancers that'll make you want to move—or at least appreciate people who can.

100%

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Alive and Kicking

movie

NR, 2017

68%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A feel-good documentary about swing dancers that'll make you want to move—or at least appreciate people who can.

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: this is a really well-made documentary (100% on Rotten Tomatoes!) about a subject most people don't care about. If you or your teen are into dance, music subcultures, or just love a good documentary about passionate people doing their thing, this is a solid watch.

But let's be real—if you're looking for family movie night entertainment, this isn't it. Most kids will tap out within 15 minutes. It's wholesome, enriching, and safe, but it's also... a documentary about swing dancing. The audience for this is narrow.

That said, for the right viewer (maybe your artsy teen, or you after the kids go to bed), it's genuinely lovely—a window into a community that values connection, movement, and keeping traditions alive in a digital age. Just don't expect it to compete with whatever's trending on Netflix.

Age Fit

Best for teens and adults who have some interest in dance, music, or documentary filmmaking. Younger kids will likely find it boring despite the wholesome content—this isn't a performance film, it's about the culture and people.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documentary about swing dance culture models community, passion, and intergenerational connection. The focus on dance as a social activity inherently promotes cooperation, joy, and healthy human interaction. No toxic behavior or negative modeling evident from reviews.

Imaginative

Explores a niche subculture (swing dancing) that most viewers won't know much about, offering fresh perspective. However, as a documentary rather than narrative film, it observes rather than invites direct creative participation. Strong for sparking curiosity about movement, music, and community building.

Safe

Documentary format about dance culture presents minimal safety concerns. No content ratings suggest problematic material. The subject matter (social dancing) is inherently benign. High critic and audience scores (100% RT critics, 94% audience) with no mentions of disturbing content in available data.

Enriching

Synopsis explicitly notes it 'sheds light on issues facing modern American society' while exploring dance culture. Strong critical reception (77 Metacritic, 100% RT) suggests substantive content. Offers insight into community building, physical expression, and intergenerational connection. However, entertainment value for general audiences (especially younger viewers) may be limited given niche subject matter.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Introduces a vibrant subculture most people know nothing about, expanding horizons beyond mainstream entertainment
Shows intergenerational community building through shared passion—rare in our age-segregated world
Perfect critical scores suggest it's genuinely well-made and engaging for those interested in the subject
Models healthy physical expression, social connection, and dedication to craft without screens involved

⚠

What to Watch For

This is a niche documentary—if your kid isn't into dance, music history, or subcultures, they'll likely be bored
Runtime and pacing typical of documentaries may feel slow for viewers used to high-energy content
No content rating available, but subject matter and reviews suggest it's completely benign

Conversation Starters

"What communities or hobbies bring different generations together like swing dancing does?"
"Have you ever wanted to learn a dance style or physical skill that takes years to master?"
"Why do you think some people are so passionate about keeping old art forms alive?"
"What would it be like to be part of a tight-knit community built around something you love doing?"

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