Step Up Revolution

Review by:  Karen Posada Date: 07.25.2012

Rating:

If you’ve seen any of the movies from the ‘Step Up’ series then you know exactly what to expect from ‘Step Up Revolution’. The only thing this movie offers is entertainment in the form of dance; don’t except any deep dialogue, gripping twists, or great acting. I saw the 3D format of the film and besides some splashing water, sparks and people popping out of the screening here and there there’s no reason to invest in it. This movie follows the exact same footsteps as its predecessors, so if you are up for watching some amazing dance moves and nothing more, then you can enjoy this movie for what it is.

Emily (Kathryn McCormick) wants to join a dance academy and become a professional dancer. She happens to meet Sean (Ryan Guzman) who works as a waiter in a luxurious Miami hotel and spends his free-time pulling flash mobs with his underground dance crew called “the mob”. Dance is their connection and when Emily’s father, Mr. Anderson (Peter Gallagher) business mogul, wants to destroy The Mob’s historic neighborhood to build a luxury complex; they realize they must turn their performance art into protest art.

The movie of course tries to use its overly predictable dramatic moments as much as possible, especially when it comes to the love story. The biggest twist in the film has no real effect as it is known all along. Although this film has a Latin mix to it there’s only one salsa sequence, which was disappointing, this is certainly something it could have exploited more. The worst part about the storyline is the mixed message it sends at the end, where “revolution” is merely a word that can be wiped off easily.

Guzman who has a Mexican background, is a heartthrob and may be even better looking than Channing Tatum; he certainly has jaw-dropping moves and the other star McCormick of course doesn’t stay behind; their dancing is the highlight as their acting leaves a lot to be desired. There are at least four flash mobs and one out does the other every time, with out a doubt the dancers here are phenomenal. The final one is of course the ultimate flash mob; the combination of sound and the images of the various sets of dancers are exhilarating.

I can’t deny that I enjoyed every dance sequence this movie offered, but the overly formulaic storyline that traces back all the way to the very first chapter of the franchise makes it nothing more than a dance film. I don’t suggest you go spend your movie at the theater; this might be a fun thing to watch from home but simply for its entertaining dances.