Fletcher, A. (director). (2006). Step Up. Touchstone / Disney.
2 out of 5 stars
Age range 14 and up
In this movie a young man played by Channing Tatum gets into trouble when he and his friends break into a private school and vandalise the place. Tatum’s character Tyler is the only one to get caught and is sentenced to community service at the school. Nora, played by Jenna Dewan, is desperate to find a new dance partner for her performance after her previous partner is injured. She witnesses Tyler dancing in the street, and later he offers to help her with her routine. She accepts and dancing ensues. Other things ensue as well but they are not very interesting.
The plot is really predictable. I didn’t find anything original or interesting about this movie. I don’t always mind predictable, I am actually pretty accepting of it in movies, but even with that in mind I still found the movie uninspiring. Actually Step Up was was just plain dull.
I usually enjoy the totally cool dance routines in a movie, even if the plot is sub-standard but, the dancing wasn’t totally cool. It was less than exciting to say the least. In a dance movie this should at least be a highlight, but sadly it was not. I cannot put my finger on exactly why the dancing was so wishy washy but it was.
In addition to the lackluster plot and dissapointing dancing the acting was really bland. Where was the chemistry?! The wonder of young love? It was not in this movie. Perhaps this is a result of poor casting. Jenna Dewan was somewhat annoying as this character. I found her to be demanding and whiny and unsympathetic. On top of that Channing Tatum was not believable as this Tyler. He was texting it in. I did give this movie 2 stars but that was because I felt bad for it.
Kate
