Monica Oyedele reviews the directorial debut movie by Anne Fletcher 'Step Up' -

Channing Tatum (Coach Carter) and Jenna Dewan (Take the lead) star as Tyler and Nora – a dancer from Mars and a dancer from Venus.

Tyler Gage is a street kid. He lives in a foster home in a bad neighbourhood and is constantly having run ins with the law. Nora Clarke is a prima ballerina. She lives with her mum and wants to be a professional dancer. The pair are thrown together by circumstance and as cliché as they come they become more than dance partners.
 

Tyler and his friends embark on a vandalous spree when they stumble upon a performing arts school. The rent –a –cop interrupts them but he is the only one who is caught. He is sentenced to community service and while doing so is memorized when he sees Nora dancing in class.

Nora has to put on a performance in the showcase for her final year project but unfortunately her partner sprains his ankle. She has little time to find a replacement and no one seems to makes the cut. In steps in 6ft Tyler who sweeps her of her feet –literally.

Having never taken a dance class before becomes very apparent when Tyler can’t piroutte without stumbling. He brings his street style and charisma to the dance piece and is opened to a new world of possibilities. He begins to have aspirations and falls for Nora.

The duo bring out the best in each other and make a great dancing team. This is evident in the end performance. It is very dynamic, different and incorporates ballet, tap, breakin’ which can only be described as street contemporary.

Channing’s on screen presence is captivating. Apart from his chiselled looks, the young actor is slowly breaking into the movie seen. His roles in Havoc and She’s The Man are world’s apart showing his range as an actor.

In Take the lead she appeared a sexy Spanish siren. This time she is a spoilt perfectionist. Both roles have failed to show what Dewan really has to offer. Having started her career as a backing dancer for P. Diddy and Janet Jackson equipped her. Her acting on the other hand is mediocre and is hidden by her beauty and grace. Though this will be her strongest move into Hollywood to date, Dewan should focus on her speech as much as her feet to have a long career in this industry.

Making her directorial debut is renowned choreographer Anne Fletcher. She has choreographed the dance scenes in Bring it On, The Wedding Planner, Bringing down the House, Catwoman to name a few. Her background has reflected her work and given her edge to bring a dance movie with great routines that so many are in dire need for.

Music sensation Mario (Miles) makes a smooth slide from music to acting. His role is minimal and simple and there is no over-acting or attempts to steal the show. I hope he continues to perfect his craft and makes no attempts to do any fats car movies

Supporting actors Damaine Radcliff (Mac) and De’Shawn Washington (Skinny) were a breath of fresh air. Radcliff plays Tyler’s best friend and for once is not a well-known actor. Dance movies have a habit of casting black actors that already have a following thinking that it helps. Radcliff is a solid actor who allows Tatum to shine. Their friendship appears genuine. Washington plays Skinny Mac’s annoying little brother, which he plays with perfection. He’s finally silenced when he is gunned down. A cliché that is becoming so old it doesn’t bare thinking about. Death is a heavy card player in Dance Films. As if the death of a loved one suddenly gives the film substance.

It is what it is. Death doesn’t need to be an anecdote for this genre. It cheapens it.

My one criticism for Step Up is lay up on the attempts that dance films nowadays make to add credibility. People go for the cast (good-looking ones) and the dancing. To have a fun filled time and be inspired to get active and dance.

The soundtrack is great they have everyone working on it from Sean Paul to Ciara. The songs will have you dancing in your seats and tapping your feet. My favourite number is performed by another new talent Drew Sidora (Lucy Avila) who plays Nora’s best friend. She has an amazing voice and with the help of Miles they get the club going. The music and dance go hand in hand as they perform a choreographed routine in the middle of the dance. A trend that I hope moves to England.

Step Up is a feel - good –get- of- your- feet- shake- your- ass- and- take- a –dance- class- kind- of- movie. A great cast full of potential and a storyline that won’t bring any surprises but is enjoyable none the less. Simply take a few steps to the movies and enjoy 100 minutes of fun!