If this spin on the tale is not quite diverting enough to justify its existence, the movie, directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, is at least not a soulless exercise.

As a tween musical full of catchy songs, the shoe fits.

Heartening sentiments about the passionate pull of artistic expression and the ingenious meta context of the narrative’s underpinnings help buff away the scuff marks, making for a surprisingly satisfying reboot of a tired but timeless classic.

Sneakerella is a family film that a wide age spectrum can enjoy. It’s a bit different from your traditional retelling movies and does well with the themes that it presents.