the judges have been banging on all series about bringing the carnival to the dance floor but not at any time did I feel the urge to get up and join in with Ali and Brian.
Before any one starts I am not an Ali hater and ~I have no favourite but feel she was way over marked. far to soft and fluffy for such a party dance, the judges were protecting her.
Also they should not be tempting fate when they say about her in the final we do have a say in it as well and next week should be interesting with the AT as thats a sensual dance something she seems to find difficult

To Ali's credit, she got the bounce action better than anyone else so far this series and there were plenty of noticeable Samba moves which she seemed to perform cleanly.

But yet again there was no sparkle. It was danced too daintily.

The choice of music didn't help. In fact I think Brian chose that track deliberately so that he could justify a more subdued Samba (he knows Ali's weakness) but he didn't get away with it.

Totally agree with OP

I hate the Samba but enjoyed Ali and Brian's.

The Samba music used is soooo not carnival - it is never going to work to achieve what the judges bang on about. The only Sambas that have really worked for me in terms of 'carnival' have been I go to Rio, by Mark and Aquariius by Zoe.

Anyway, the samba dance moves are sooo silly I won't want to get up and dance anyway!

it was too clinical and precise she is a good dancer but sometimes there is no feel for it , nothing behind her eyes, I dont feel caught up in the moment with them.
Maybe its the ballet training she had is not helping in the letting go and getting into the feel of the dance

I thought the song choice was quite bad. How is such a miserable message meant to be 'carnival'?

No carnival but the best Samba action I've seen from any celebrity in any series. Not overmarked IMO.

At least she did all the Samba steps ... Chris hardly did any but apparently that didn't matter. If only Ali had known she could come out .. do hardly any Samba steps but just concentrate on selling the dance. She could've done that easy.

Best samba this series is about as high a bar as sexiest male judge.

Agree with Sid, the samba was danced too daintily, and the tango was her least accomplished ballroom. Where was the sharp staccato, and the passion ? Terrible choice of music for it too.

I thought the music was appalling for both Ali's dances, I don't think her Samba was over marked at all, maybe it would have been more interesting with better music?

I think her tango was weaker and overmarked by both Darcy & Aleisha

The music was an issue with both of Ali's dances - neither suited the dance (though I love Changes), and if that's not right, the feel of the dance won't be right either, no matter how well/badly it is performed.

Agree. Its a great song but it does not make you want to dance with abandon and shake your bot.

I enjoy watching Ali dance because she moves so beautifully. But I am very surprised that considering she is an actress, she seems incapable of taking on the personality of the dance. Normally actors/actresses have an advantage here.

I agree. I didn't like either song and it really put me off.