High Strung
Performance & Direction: High Strung Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is High Strung (2016) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Music.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Music is often anchored by its ensemble, and High Strung features a noteworthy lineup led by Keenan Kampa . Supported by the likes of Nicholas Galitzine and Sonoya Mizuno , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: High Strung
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2016, High Strung is a Music, Romance, Drama film directed by Michael Damian. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Keenan Kampa.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. When a hip hop violinist busking in the New York subway encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Keenan Kampa's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: High Strung
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Michael Damian, High Strung resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to music resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Keenan Kampa, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the music themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of High Strung reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch High Strung?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Music films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Keenan Kampa or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: High Strung
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $2.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: High Strung
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Fandango At HomeHigh Strung Parents Guide & Age Rating
2016 AdvisoryWondering about High Strung age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of High Strung is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, High Strung is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2016 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is High Strung worth watching?
High Strung is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Music movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find High Strung parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for High Strung identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of High Strung?
The total duration of High Strung is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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Critic Reviews for High Strung
**A violinist meets a dancer: A love story.** That's a freaky poster, but the film was good. You know there are dance flicks even worse than this, especially, it was once a trendy theme, but now nothing impressive. In that perspective, this film was a relief, a decently made film. So dance flick means people expect extraordinary moves and music, but in this, they had kept them simple. They did not press hard on either street dance or the classical dance. It was kind of fusion between them and in addition to that live music like mainly violin. I don't know anybody from the cast or the director, but it does not look like a B movie/indie, because the production quality was excellent. Even the story was somewhat cliché, yet enjoyable, mainly for its around 90 minute narration. I mean being a short and a decent pace with the good performances and musics and dances, this film can be easily become a dance flick of the year. The film is not just for youngsters, but for everyone. The matured contents like maintaining the decency from the dialogues to the pictures, nothing obscene in it. A perfect PG film, the majority would like it or not, but surely will be entertained. Having lots of good quality, I did not like it entirely. In some parts it looked just fake to me like in the real world kind. I would say watch it, but don't expect too much, especially twist or surprises. It's really a nice film. _6/10_
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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