Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)

Well, I like this movie. Filmed in Puerto Rico though? Nothing against Puerto Rico because I love it there. I just wish it was filmed in Havana, Cuba considering the title, but I guess we weren't allowed to film there in 2004. Oh well! But there's a song on the soundtrack that I want to hear again. I can't figure out the name of it, but I've heard a version of it before. I'm guessing the song is mixed unusually, but I really liked it. I'll have to research all the songs. I wasn't expecting to see Patrick Swayze in this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. He's just a natural born dancer, a very good one as well. Even though there's a competition near the end of this movie and it doesn't have the outcome I was expecting, it was still a pretty good flick.

I personally loved this movie, I loved the Cuban twist, I loved the music, the beats, and the dancing. Neither of the main characters had dance experience but wound up lighting up the screen. They had a great connection between them.I had to re-watch this movie after watching the ABC remake of the original Dirty Dancing. My soul needed to be cleansed.Just a few comments: This is NOT a remake of the original Dirty Dancing, nor is this a sequel. The original Dirty Dancing took place in 1963. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights takes place in 1958.For those upset that it didn't match up to the original? It wasn't supposed to. Unlike the original Dirty Dancing, this one is actually loosely based on the true life of producer JoAnn Fregalette Jensen who moved to Cuba with her family in 1958.If you didn't like this movie, then "Si. Yous a square."

If you're a die-hard 80's movie snob, then you'll hate this edition of Dirty Dancing. Its character relationships are rather underdeveloped, which is disappointing, and the script is certainly less than brilliant.That being said, if what you're looking for is a sweet love story with some sexy moves you'll be absolutely mesmerized by Havana Nights, I know I am! True, it throws most effort to make detail factual out the window, but it's still just so much fun! And to the people I saw complain about it being shot in Puerto Rico rather than Cuba.....did we forget that Cuba is an isolated communist island? Good luck trying to shoot an American film there. Garai is adorable, Diego Luna is so sexy it's ridiculous and overall it's just a really fun flick:) Also kinda cool that it's loosely based on the life of the writer

If your going to do a sequel to a successful 1980's film, make sure firstly that it is not straight-to-video, and that it has a similarity to the original. These pointers were obviously not applied. Anyway, basically, it is the 1950's, and young Katey Miller (Romola Garai) is moving to Havana with mother Jeannie (Sela Ward), father Bert (John Slattery) and younger sister Susie (Mika Boorem). She soon accidentally meets young hotel waiter Javier Suarez (The Terminal's Diego Luna), and discovers his talent for dancing. After being fired from his job, Katey invites Javier to participate in a Latin Ballroom Dancing Contest in the local Palace club and win a cash prize. As time goes, it is obvious they have fallen for each other. Katey's parents do find out seeing her competing on stage, but soon change their opinions, and support them to win, if only the contest wasn't interrupted they probably could of. Oh, the person who helped train Katey to dance, and appeared a couple of times to watch progress is the dance class instructor, played by original star Patrick Swayze. Also starring Jonathan Jackson as James Phelps, American Pie: The Wedding's January Jones as Eve and Mya Harrison as Lola Martinez. The near cameo role for Swayze may be good, but it doesn't help the film in any way. I will admit the dancing is just as erotic looking and fun to watch as the first film, but that is all you can enjoy, it is just a shabby attempt at a sequel. Adequate!