Watch Kids' Reviews of
I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY

I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a new film about the life of Whitney Houston, one of the greatest voices of any generation. It portrays Houston in a new and exciting way that all audiences will love to see.

Raised by famous singer Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie), Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie) had a powerful voice from the time she was little. After being discovered while singing in her mom's place by record executive Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci), Whitney quickly became a huge singer all across America and around the world. This movie follows her life from the beginning to the end and shows what happened behind the cameras, closely following her relationship with her husband, family, and friends.

Naomi Ackie's performance as Whitney Houston is breathtaking. You can tell she studied Houston very closely. Whitney's relationship with her best friend, Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams) is focused on very heavily in this film, and I loved it. There is lots of tension between the actors and it definitely makes the film better in so many ways. Another relationship that is focused on in this film is Houston's relationship with Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders). Ackie and Sanders both put lots of effort into their roles and it pays off. The film I Wanna Dance With Somebody does an astounding job when it comes to Whitney's performances. It feels like you're really there watching her perform. My favorite scene -- and it's really breathtaking to watch it.

The message of I Wanna Dance With Somebody is that fame can change a person's life for good and for bad. Whitney Houston got lots of money and fame from her singing career, but it also messed with her in horrible ways. A few things for parents watching with children to be aware of is that there is lots of swearing in this movie and drugs are used towards the end of the film.

I give I Wanna Dance With Somebody 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters December 23, 2022.

By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

Loved this film. Naomi Ackie knocks it out of the part with her portrayal of Whitney and brings you right into the center of Whitney's lives, loves, hopes, dreams and foibles. I watched this with a friend and, since both of us were long time fans of Ms. Houston, we were a bit anxious that it would take jabs at her faults (we all have them). It doesn't, rather it really shows her innocence as she makes it big in the complicated world of music stardom. Stanley Tucci, as her agent also plays Clive Davis to a T! We love Stanley and can easily imagine him as the person behind this super star.

This film is so well produced from its visuals to the audio track to the costumes. I can't speak to the authenticity of her costumes, but as my friend and I walked out of the theater we both said, "I want her costume designer."

As far as the message of this film goes, it really shows the vulnerability of a young women who is taken advantage of by many people as she reaches for stardom, including those who led her into drug abuse. However, there are also a lot of upsides to this, like the love she shows for her daughter and the loving support of her agent, Clive.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. There is some profanity and drug use, so be forewarned. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!

A joyous, emotional, heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, one of the greatest female R&B pop vocalists of all time, tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.