Hello PopWatchers. My name is Jill.
And I’m a dance junkie.
Movies, TV shows, theater… if there’s poppin’, lockin’, breakin’, clownin’, steppin’, krumpin’ or tappin’ (yes, tap dancing. If it’s cool enough for Savion Glover, it’s damn sure cool enough for me), you know I’ll be watching. Dance movies, in particular, are my dirty little secret. I blame it on the 10 years of jazz and tap lessons as a kid, plus another three years of hip-hop dancing in college. I don’t watch these movies for the plotlines, I assure you — it’s all about the dancing for me. And I’ve found that the more cheese-alicious the storyline is, the better the dance scenes.
So it was no surprise that I found myself powerless to resist the siren call of Step Up 2 the Streets. It’s also safe to say I’m never going to get "Low" by Flo Rida out of my head. Ever.
Step Up 2: The New Class (as I’ve taken to calling it) was certainly diligent in its adherence to the dance movie formula. You know the one — the main character has something to prove to parents, teachers, friends, whatever… take your pick. How does he/she do it? With a dance-off, of course! Ah, if only problems in real life could be solved this way. "Excuse me, Visa? Yeah, I can’t pay my credit card bill this month. But lemme show you these sweet moves I’ve been working on, and let’s just see if we can’t come to a mutual understanding, okay?"
But I’m not going to lie to you, PopWatchers. I was a littledisappointed when I left the theater. I didn’t want to sign up forlocal hip-hop classes as soon as I got home. Which, if you knew me atall, you’d know is always my immediate response to a good dance flick.With Step Up 2, I wanted "less talkie, more dancie." Thestoryline bored me more than usual and I found myself not really caringabout the characters at all. I will admit to liking Moose, however, ifonly because he reminded me of a dancing Seth Cohen.
That’s not to say the movie lacked good dancing. On the contrary,there was some fantastic dancing. The opening scene on the subway wastight and the grand finale/showdown scene was absolutely unbelievable.The "Prank" video was also pretty frickin’ hilarious in its own right,even if the dance moves themselves weren’t anything mindblowing. In myopinion, the best dancing in the entire movie happened when it wasover… and we got to see the MSA crew do some freestylin’ as the endcredits rolled. Do yourself a favor and stay through the credits,you’ll be glad you did.
Overall, I just didn’t get the za-za-zou from this dance movie likeI have from others in the past. My addiction hasn’t been broken by anymeans, but the disappointment stings a bit.
On a slightly random note, am I the only one who’s found a little bit of humor in the fact that Channing Tatum was the star of Step Upand Robert Hoffman (pictured) has taken over the sequel? No? It’s justme? It made me wonder if the casting director had been watching She’s the Man and thought, "Hmm… we’ve already used Channing, let’s ask Rob for the next one." Should I expect Amanda Bynes to show up in Step Up 3: Dance Off/Pants Off?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I should go practice my moves. Mama’s got some bills to pay.
Awww. . .i miss seth cohan!!!!
I am also a sucker for dance movie. I’ve been dancing for the last 22 years (I’m 25, so for most of my life!), and I must admit that I have enjoyed some bad movies just because of the dance…like I enjoyed Step Up 2. Yes, there was not that much dancing going on, but that last scene made up for it!
It’s too bad movie theaters don’t have “Skip” buttons so we can just watch the dance sections and forget the lame dialogue and attempts at acting. This is why I have “Center Stage” and “The Company” on DVD!
I’m a sucker for the dance movies, too (though I would vehemently deny this). But after reading your bit, I think I’ll just wait for the dvd.
Nothing says, I’ve got something to prove’ like a sweet, in your face, Pas de bourré!
Jill you are not the only one – I definitely noticed/think it’s really funny that Channing Tatum and Robert Hoffman were both in She’s the Man. I’m glad I’m not the only one! Also, I just have to say that if there’s a dancing Seth Cohen in these movie, that might just be reason enough for me to see it.
*this movie. oops
Kristin, don’t be fooled!!! I saw the movie, and I liked Moose (“liked” being a relative term here, since all the characters were slightly less engaging than “Saved by the Bell” extras) – but he is a Seth Cohen type only in the geeky sense! NOT in the sexy hipster sense! Fairly warned be thee, says I. Yarr.
My sister and I also noticed that both Channing Tatum and Robert Hoffman were in She’s The Man and then we both felt incredibly embarrassed that we watched She’s The Man…sigh.
Dance I have been doing for years, 37 now but don’t look it pass off as a kid. Plots suck on dance movies but dance is what brings you. Tap dance no but belly dance
I love a good dance movie!! Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, anyone?
Anecdote: When American Ballet Theater was on tour in DC a few weeks ago, I (sadly) only went to a show because I knew some of the dancers from “Centerstage” were performing.
If the dance moves didn’t do anything for you in this movie, Jill (I thought the moves were awesome), what dance movies have worked for you in the past?
Just to continue the thread, Rob – some of my own favs are Singin in the Rain, White Nights, Flashdance, The Turning Point and pretty much any musical like Chicago or West Side Story.
Are you kidding me?! I thought the dancing in #2 was AWESOME! I’m already looking to sign up for hip hop lessons. The movie was killer!!! (ok- the movie was crap- but the dancing rocked my world)
“Step Up 2: The New Class”. Very funny!!!