Takin' it to the streets

Rating: 5/10 (12 April 2012)

Andie (Evigan) is adopted by her mum's friend following her death and facing a life of petty crime and delinquency, decides to try-out for enrolment at the local school of Arts. Accepted on a dance ticket, she finds the adjustment difficult with perfectionist and conservative headmaster (Kemp) unwilling to bend his rules to accommodate her raw, impoverished style. Rejected by her old crew for becoming part of the establishment, she teaches her new peers to compete for the street dance wars, but risks expulsion, ridicule and the support of her adopted mother in the process.
Actor-crooner Greg Evigan's career lives on vicariously through his husky-voiced daughter Briana playing her first lead role with confidence and skill, while English ballet dancer and actor Will Kemp has an essentially non-dance role as the stiff headmaster, learning a thing or two from the next generation. The cast are fashionable and age appropriate for their roles; nothing special, the emphasis is on the moves and the last act is the best in that regard.
There's a bit of romance, drama, a Kleenex moment or two, plenty of gyrating mid-riffs, plunging necklines, jealousy, vandalism and fisticuffs topped off by a rain-drenched, headlight lit dance off. Throws a punch or two, but stays wholesome, and would keep the younger adolescents entertained - what more could you want?