Let It Shine

Right now you can watch Let It Shine in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus — and the writing holds up regardless of the format's reputation. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 319 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. The visual style is immediately recognisable, but the writing is what keeps you watching. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Let It Shine arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Let It Shine treats animation as a medium, not a limitation. A teenage rapper must use his musical talent to help a friend and win the girl of his dreams while overcoming self-doubt and the expectations of his strict religious parents. Tyler James Williams and Coco Jones lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2012. The animation style is distinctive enough to be immediately recognisable, but it is the writing underneath that keeps viewers coming back for more. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you have been sleeping on Let It Shine because of the format, the format is not the issue here. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Tyler James Williams's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.