This documentary follows the best kids in jump roping, aged elementary through college- from five states to the Jump Rope nationals... and then to the world championships!
If you didn't know there was a jump roping world championship, then this movie is for you!
The kids/young adults involved are most inspiring, bringing fresh tricks and pro moves combined with break dancing/gymnastics/amazing double dutch skills/etc to elevate jump roping to a fresh and very artistic status. The most important goal of all though is to push yourself to new heights and share their tricks with each other.
Jump roping IS a sport, as you must be physically fit to compete with the best and teams must display a performance element as well. ] Not only was this movie educational in showing why the SPORT of jump roping should be an Olympic event, or at least a demo at the next Olympics, but very inspirational in chronicling the highs and struggles of up and coming jump rope champions, in particular two record holding girls named Emily and Tori.
There are a lot of climactic moments, and also moments of disappointment when a team has an "off day", which we all can relate to very well. The most serious ones eat, breathe, and sleep jump rope! We can all learn something about motivation from these kids.
The National Champion said that if he wasn't doing jump rope he may have ended up on the streets, and that the main goal of competitions is to spread awareness about jump roping, share tricks, and bring attention to its status as a sport while encompassing a high level of skill and performance element.
The audience at the competitions clearly enjoyed the routines as much as gymnastics, figure skating, cheer leading, etc.
As far as the shooting and editing goes, it did not at all come across as pretentious or preachy or anything like a reality TV show :) It had a really nice flow and a nice variety of shots which took you right into the action, in a documentary-meets-ESPN manner.
I hope that this unique sport will gain the attention it deserves through this documentary and that each one of these talented kids will one day be sponsored!
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