Strictly 2022: Week 3 Movie Week

By The Recs SCD - Steve Coats-Dennis 4 years ago

Get your buckets of popcorn ready as Strictly is heading to the cinema for Movie Week.

A theme week already, we hear you cry. Thanks to the reintroduction of the Blackpool visit to this year’s Strictly, the first of the theme weeks has arrived early. So lights, camera and dignity-challenging costumes! Who will be a box-office hit and who is heading for a Razzie?

The pre-titles sequence is what Strictly does so well – a silly, camp master plan for Anton to steal the glitterball trophy. Unlike the rather messy group dance to ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno‘ from Encanto. No we don’t talk about the ex-Judge either. We can talk about Motsi and tonight’s pretzel crossed with poodle hairdo. 

All images by BBC/Guy Levy

First up, Richie and Giovanni giving their best meerkat and warthog as Timon and Pumbaa (but don’t those Disney characters get along?) – a feelgood (aka ignore all the timing issues, enjoy the FUN) Samba to ‘Hakuna Matata’ from The Lion King. Rather lovely, though, to see a Primary School watching two men dancing together and it not being a thing at all for the kids. Progress!

From the ridiculous to the sublime, Molly and Carlos  waltzing to ‘One Hand, One Heart’ from West Side Story – at least we think that’s what the singing was meant to be. A beautifully simple routine but the danger in music week is will it be forgotten. That caterwauling won’t be…or forgiven. 

Kym auditioning for doing a Charleston to ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ from Sweet Charity. With the spirit of Shirley MacLaine hovering over the routine, it felt a little placed when it should be fizzier and whackier. It’s the one dance that Kym could be a little out of control to match Charity’s effervescence. But no – it was a Wednesday matinee with the understudy on.  Kym’s best but NEXT! (Oh Anton – “Shirley MacLaine, baby” – Shirley MacLaine as she is now could out-dance that)

Hamza and Jowita’s Rumba to the ‘Theme’ from Jurassic Park might actually be the most barking concept. Disappointing that they weren’t dancing in the inflatable Dino-costumes. Strange dance of erotic love in a scenario where a velociraptor could attack at any time. There was more tension that Hamza’s hair might make contact with a naked flame than between the couple. 

Ellie T and Johannes seem to growing as a couple in terms of likability. “I feel like a wally” is such a funny, honest line from Ellie. Their Cha Cha Cha to ‘The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)’ from Mermaids didn’t seem to show the same progress. Head Judge Shirley decrying “heel leads” is akin to our view of Press Nights that go beyond 10.30pm. 

Matt and Nadiya  – Viennese Waltz to ‘Hold My Hand’ from Top Gun: Maverick. Comparing himself to Maverick because “I’m a fighter” is quite a concept to juggle with. “I lost myself in dance for the first time in my career” he intoned – with Nadiya laughing in response. He is absolutely fascinating and he definitely gave more to the dance (whether the dance wanted it or not). Some unnecessarily cruel marking from two of the judges. We need the Goss unpredictability this series. 

Tyler and Dianne bringing the first obligatory cockney knees-up to this year’s Strictly. And would you Adam and Eve it – a spectacular, relentless Charleston to ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop!’ from Half a Sixpence was in a totally different class. Thrilling to watch. What’s that in the tears in Dianne’s eyes? Is that mirrorballs we spy? You couldn’t begrudge those Tens. 

Just as well that Dianne got Tens. Imagine hearing someone else playing Ariel after a lifelong Ariel cosplaying. Fleur and Vito’s American Smooth to ‘Part Of Your World’ from The Little Mermaid wasn’t – what’s that word? Smooth. Wondering if Fleur has offended the costume department as her outfit was – what that word? Hideous. Well done for Vito wearing the thinnest shirt ever. That’ll get some votes. 

Martin Fowler James and Amy’s Cha Cha to ‘Hooked On A Feeling’ from Guardians of the Galaxy cha-cha-channelled the finest Dad dancing. Cringe Lord. Oh for a Thanos click. 

Ellie S and Nikita was a zesty, showbizzy Quickstep to The Artist soundtrack. Not the best footwork in places. Have to say isn’t Nikita shining this series? 

“I love Dirty Dancing” announced Will. Oh please don’t tease us. Also why aren’t you doing The Full Monty? Oh dear. I’m writing aloud again, aren’t I?  “You’re talking inches”. STOP IT, WILL!  Will and Nancy  dancing an American Smooth to ‘Cry To Me’ from Dirty Dancing was probably Will’s best yet. Intensity and connection. Laughing a lot at Anton’s “hello tiger”. Nancy’s robotics to rival the TessBot2000 were terrifying.

“I might pull it off” – dear god, no Tony. Tony and Katya’s indescribable samba to ‘You Sexy Thing’ from The Full Monty – bring me the mind bleach. All hail Katya the Queen of distraction. Could do without Motsi referencing “ooziness”. 

Viennese waltzes are dull, let’s face it but Helen and Gorka’s beautifully spinny, surprisingly-emotional dance to ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ from Grease was gorgeous – despite Gorka’s frightwig. Do we sense a dark horse – and not just the hair of Gorka’s toupée? 

“First, when there’s nothing / But a slow glowing dream”. And then the dream became a nightmare. Jayde and Karen’s Cha Cha Cha to ‘What A Feeling’ from Flashdance was a lot about body positivity and personality, not so much critiquing of the dance. Who says Strictly isn’t a broad church?

Bottom Two?

In a new feature, to strip The Recs of any credibility, we will attempt to predict the bottom two couples. Folly, eh?

We predict….

Ellie T and Matt in the danger zone with Matt going. 

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