Leap! – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Leap!

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Orphan girl fakes her way into Paris ballet school—predictable but harmless inspiration for young dancers.

6.8/10

52%

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Leap!

movie

PG, 2016

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Orphan girl fakes her way into Paris ballet school—predictable but harmless inspiration for young dancers.

6.8

52%

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6.8/10

52%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is cinematic comfort food for the elementary dance recital crowd. It won't win awards for originality—the plot is paint-by-numbers inspiration, the humor occasionally dips into bathroom territory, and critics gave it a collective shrug—but kids who love ballet will be glued to the screen.

The 6.8 IMDb and 63% audience score tell the real story: parents and kids find it perfectly fine. It's not trying to be Pixar; it's trying to be a Saturday afternoon movie that keeps dance-loving kids happy while teaching them that practice matters. Mission accomplished, if unspectacularly.

The ethical hiccup—our hero literally steals someone's identity to get into ballet school—is addressed but glossed over, so you might want to unpack that afterward. Otherwise, this is safe, sweet, and forgettable in equal measure.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media pegs this at 6+, which feels right—young enough for the straightforward story and inspiration, but the ballet focus means it'll skew toward kids (especially girls) who already love dance. Teens will find it too simplistic.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Uplifting story about an orphan pursuing her ballet dreams through hard work and determination. Models perseverance and friendship. Main caveat is some 'impolite humor' (farting, wetting yourself) that parents note but doesn't derail the overall positive tone. Some mean-spirited characters create conflict but serve the narrative.

Imaginative

Standard underdog-dreams-big formula set against the backdrop of 19th-century Paris ballet. The setting and dance sequences offer visual appeal, but the story follows a predictable path without much creative risk. It's competent animation but doesn't break new ground or invite kids to think differently.

Safe

PG rating with no language, sexuality, or meaningful violence. Minimal content concerns—some bathroom humor and light action sequences. No surprise trauma or scary elements beyond standard antagonist behavior. Parents can confidently put this on without worrying about unexpected content.

Enriching

Strong message about following dreams, working hard, and not giving up. Kids who love dance will connect with the ballet world. However, it's fairly straightforward inspiration without much depth—the 'believe in yourself' theme is delivered competently but not memorably. Teaches persistence more than nuance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perfect for kids obsessed with ballet or dance—they'll eat up the Grand Opera House setting and performance sequences
Clear message about hard work paying off, with a protagonist who actually has to practice and fail before succeeding
Safe, conflict-light viewing that won't give you any surprises or post-movie regrets
Friendship dynamics show loyalty and support, even when things get competitive

⚠

What to Watch For

Some bathroom humor (farting, pants-wetting jokes) that's more annoying than offensive
The protagonist literally impersonates someone else to get into ballet school—might be worth a chat about honesty vs. desperation
Mean girl dynamics and some disparaging behavior between characters, though it resolves predictably
Critics weren't impressed (52% on RT), so manage expectations if you're watching together

Conversation Starters

"Félicie pretends to be someone else to get into ballet school. Was that okay? What would you have done?"
"The movie shows her practicing really hard and failing a lot. When have you had to practice something over and over?"
"Which character would you want as a friend—and why?"
"Do you think following your dreams always works out like it does in movies?"

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