Lifetime has been banking on the power of High School Musical to bring viewers to A Christmas Dance Reunion. It has been 15 years since the first High School Musical movie came out. Those fans would be in the younger side of their target demographic. I guess it’s good to reel in the in as soon as possible.
Lucy (Monique Coleman) is a successful attorney. When she comes home for Christmas, she hears that the Winterleigh Resort, where her family spent Christmas, is closing. She returns to the resort with her mother, Virginia (Kim Roberts), to celebrate one last holiday. However, she is reunited with her old dance partner, Barrett (Corbin Bleu), the nephew of the resort’s owner. Since there aren’t many guests, the resort has stopped many of the holiday traditions. Lucy takes it upon herself to bring back the traditions…and attempt to save the resort at the same time.
For those of you that don’t know, Monique Coleman and Corbin Bleu played romantic interests in all of the High School Musical movies. Needless to say, knowing each other for so long has given them a lot of on-screen chemistry. They seemed perfect for each other 15 years ago and they seem perfect for each other now. I kinda hope they become an annual Christmas movie couple. Most Christmas movies recycle the same actors over and over. Why not keep using a couple that works?
A Christmas Dance Reunion isn’t really here for the romantic part of the plot. Sure, there is a will they/won’t they aspect to it but it really feels secondary to the dancing. Thankfully, Bleu is an amazing dancer. As is Sasha Clements, who plays the couple’s old friend, Marlee. (Fun fact: Bleu and Clements have been married since 2016.) Coleman’s dancing isn’t as spectacular as her co-stars but she is no slouch. She brings a little more refinement where the other two bring the razzle dazzle.
As a dancer myself, I loved this movie. I enjoyed watching Bleu tap dance his way through a Christmas song and Clements lead the way in a fun jazz routine. I even gave props to Coleman for pulling off the lifts in her choreography. Those aren’t easy. If you are looking for a fun Christmas dance movie, you’ll be very happy with A Christmas Dance Reunion. But if you are looking for a deep plot and interesting characters, well…you’re looking in the wrong movie genre, to be honest. You won’t find any of that on Lifetime or Hallmark. Just turn this on and have fun.