Step Off

Rating: 5/10 (27 December 2006)

What dance related movies does this film not rip-off? Basically, it's an amalgam of Cutting Edge, Flashdance, Fame, Dirty Dancing, and others, with a sprinkling of Boyz N the Hood dusted on for street cred. There is not one single cliché overlooked, not one trite situation unused in this flick. Channing Tatum seems a likable lead actor and can dance, but he can't carry the weight of this awful script on his looks and charm alone. After the first twenty minutes of the film I knew the following:
1. Nora's original partner for the dance showcase will, conveniently, be unable to dance with her; 2. Tyler and Nora (played by non-actress Jenna Dewan), will triumph at the showcase; 3. Something BAD is going to happen to Skinny; 4. Supporting characters Miles and Lucy will end up together (with no believable explanation as to why); and, 5. Tyler will overcome all obstacles, while retaining his friendship with pal Mac, and help everyone else live happily ever after (except poor Skinny of course).
Tyler's transformation from street punk to art school dance savant is wholly unbelievable and really ridiculous. Making it more ridiculous is the school's director ever allowing him to dance with one of the students after he broke in and trashed the school. And why would the director be willing to offer him a scholarship when she clearly points out that his vandalism robbed another student of a scholarship??? Also, I'm no judge, but would Tyler really be assigned to do his community work at the place he broke into and smashed up? That just seems stupid. Finally, I had to shake my head in amazement at the ending where, a few days after seeing his younger brother killed, Mac is able to laugh and rejoice with Tyler over his dancing at an art school for which Mac has previously shown nothing but contempt.
If you can get past the trite and far-fetched situations that swamp this picture, there are some good dance numbers and catchy tunes well staged by choreographer/director Anne Fletcher. Channing Tatum may have a career if he stays far away from more films like this.