A troubled youth is sentenced to community service at a school for the performing arts.

Rating: 7/10 (17 August 2006)

My expectations for "Step Up" were low, but I wanted to see the dancing. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it as a movie as well as a dance vehicle.
I anticipated a"Rocky" formula, but the movie turned out to be about learning to make mature choices.
The dismal circumstances of our protagonist's life are unfortunately not uncommon these days, and he was just as pouty, inconsiderate, short-sighted, and self-destructive as teenagers in these situations frequently are. The emotional growth of our main character was expected, but a surprising bonus was the emotional growth of his best friend. And the music and dancing were a joy. "Step Up" is not "Fame", but it's not bad, either.