I have a blind spot for the passionate niche movie, and this is one of them. If someone takes a weird little sub sect, say Japanese racing (FF3) or spelling bees (Wordplay) or in this case, stomping, then I’m interested because it’s a subject I normally wouldn’t have learned about in any capacity. With that weakness in mind let’s get into the good and the bad on this stompin’ spectacle; although let’s face it, you know deep in your heart whether you’re seeing this one or not already.
First off, these guys are serious about dancing. What seems like it would be completely subjective does not seem so to these heavies. They do battle dance offs, probably something akin to You Got Served (although I never saw that one). The story is set up when a tragedy occurs in the context of one of the dance-offs, which sets up the whole “sad rebel against all odds” storyline that can be seen about a dozen times a year, most recently in films like Stick It, We Are Marshall, and Flicka. Let me tell you, don’t see this for the plot, you will end up severely unimpressed. Which brings us to the real reason to buy a ticket, you got it, our own update of dance fever USA!
The stomping should’ve been featured much much more because it is impressive. There is a move, I think it’s featured in the trailer, which I can’t imagine anyone even thinking of trying (or being able to do for that matter). The film is at the very height of its entertainment capacity when the music is fast and the motion is slow. These moments allow you to filter out the occasionally predictable dialogue and appreciate the tremendous athleticism and creativity involved in stomping.
As far as the acting goes I liked Chris Brown here more than I do on The O.C.. The lead, Columbus Short, is good enough given the material but he never really carries the movie. Meagan Good I’d give the same verdict, though she looks the requisite hot level. This one has some length issues, and if they would have added 15 extra minutes of stomp and removed 25 minutes of plot I’d be more inclined to wildly overrate it, as opposed to just mildly overrating it here.
You like the wild gyrations of today’s youth? See this. You like the beautiful niche? Maybe a matinee. You not in the mood for frivolity or a plot by numbers movie? Well, maybe stay at home and dance by yourself.
