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A still from the movie Step Up
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Step Up (3D)
Director: Jon M Chu
Cast: Rick Malambri, Adam Sevani, Sharni Vinson, Alyson Stoner, Keith “Remedy” Stallworth, Kendra Andrews, Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Joe Slaughter, Jason Etter, Keith Stallworth
Rating: **
The third in the US street dance series, this one has a 3D boost, and yet, except for the dance performances, bold effects and passable choreography, this film has very little to offer. For this 3D attempt, there’s Rick Malambri as multi-tasker Luke — mentor, trainer and aspiring filmmaker. Malambri is another potential teen heartthrob, but his acting talents are short of special. There is not much of a story to pull the dance performances through.
Luke and his ‘pirates’, the talented street dancers of diverse ethnicities that he has befriended, dwell in a Brooklyn warehouse loft. Moose (Adam G Sevani) from Step Up 2 the Streets and Camille from Step Up are inseparable friends. Moose captures Luke’s attention as he dances like a pro. Clubber Natalie (Sharni Wilson) is another of Luke’s proteges.
The teams are now set for many dance sequences. The dances are energetic and the performers have grace, rhythm and elegance that is eye-catching enough to set your pulses racing.
Chu fails to make a decent meal of the narrative, but his sense for dance theatrics can’t be faulted. He has used 3D imagery to good effect. The acting is pretty lacklustre, and the soundtrack consists mainly of hip-hop tunes and a few other take-offs on the 60s and 70s musicals.
A number set to the remix of Fred Astaire’s I won’t dance, blaring from a loudspeaker affixed on an ice-cream truck, is the most memorable bit of dance and music in the film. Step up to this one only if you have a passion for dance. The rest would do well to watch the variety of reality dance shows on television, instead!
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