The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream (Film Review)

2008 MGM Worldwide Television Distribution
Directed by: Stuart Gillard; Written by: Randall Badat (story by: Susan Jansen and Randall Badat)
Starring: Matt Lanter, Francia Raisa, and Christy Carlson Romano
MPAA Rating: PG-13; Running Time: 92 Minutes
The Nicsperiment Score: 7/10

Zack Conroy is a perfectly nice guy who also just happens to be a rich, Olympic hopeful figure skater, looking for a partner. Alex Delgado is a perfectly nice girl who just so happens to have once had a dream of being an Olympic figure skater...a dream she's discarded, as it seems only accessible to the wealthy. A chance encounter brings the two together and sparks fly on and off the ice. There's one problem, though: Zack fell in love with his previous partner and things didn't work out. Now he's reticent to make the same romantic mistake twice. Can this duo chase the dream without finally admitting their feelings to one another? Can all that ice somehow cool off this heat?!
As a straight-to-television sequel of a sequel, 2008's The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream has absolutely no business being as good as it is. Matt Lanter and Francia Raisa have insane chemistry, and the filmmakers revel in pushing it as far it can go. There's a scene where Zack and Alex stretch in skimpy gym clothes, while attempting to not make eye contact that's likely steamier than any sex scene shot that year. Raisa's charisma is off the charts, and she should have blown up in Hollywood after this performance. Meanwhile, Lanter is a good performer cursed with bland handsomeness. He's more than proven his worth as an outstanding voice actor, but Raisa brings something beautiful out of his live action performance here, and just like their scripted characters make each other better, the two actors are magic together. 
While Stuart Gillard's breezy direction is lovely, Chasing the Dream's secret sauce is its plotting. The previous film in the series leaned too heavily into the couple arguing. The main conflict here is that the lovable, amiable prospective couple here get along too well, and are trying to resist each other. There are few of the usual cliché romantic comedy contrivances, outside of one near the end that's quickly brushed aside. Even Zack's ex-partner is served well, as she's already accepted that she and Zack will never be together, and instead helps him accept his feelings for Alex. 

Is this my favorite ABC Family original movie of all time? 

Unequivocally, yes!!! I'll skate pairs or sexy stretch with it anytime!