Review

Rating: 7/10 (4 January 2007)

Funny jokes. Handsome actors. Pretty actresses. A good soundtrack. Add dancing, and voilà, another hit teen movie full of romance, tragedy, and drama. Although predictable, Sep Up is a beautifully choreographed movie with an upbeat soundtrack that brings even more fun to the theater.
Tyler (Channing Tatum) is not a bad kid. No, he just lives in a foster home in the poor, tough section of the city of Baltimore. Tyler becomes caught up in a bad situation and must complete 200 hours of community service at the scene of the crime, The Maryland School of the Arts. During his time washing windows and cleaning clarinets, Tyler notices Nora. Nora Clark (Jenna Diwam), an accomplished dance from the school, is practicing for her senior showcase. A problem arises when her dance partner breaks his leg and cannot practice with her anymore. Tyler, eyeing up his chance to talk with Nora and not wanting to see his opportunity go out the window he is washing, puts on his shining armor and mounts his white horse. When Nora rejects his proposal to help her at practice, Tyler is hurt (who wouldn't want to leap blindly into the arms of the kid who trashed you school's stage, your temple?). Finally, after realizing that her situation called for desperate measures, and after spying on Tyler and seeing him dance hip-hop outside the school with his friends, Nora decides to employ his help. The romance that sparks between Tyler and Nora during the long hours of practice after school is predictable and stale. However, the amazing dancing and upbeat music makes a predictable ending acceptable.
When I sat down to watch this movie, I was prepared for another boring plot and was surprised by the creativeness and genius in the opening scene. The scene alternates between a hip-hop/rap beat and a slower, more classical piece. Both shots include dancers performing at their best. The hip-hop dancers attend a crowded, dark party. They wear sharp, high-heels. In contrast to this picture, ballerinas dance in an open, bright studio with ballet slippers on their feet. This could symbolize the double life Tyler leads. During the day he is a disciplined ballet dancer, but morphs into a car-stealing Mr. Hyde at night. The director's (Anne Flethcer) alternating shots show how living in the city can be sharp like the woman's heel, and how Tyler and his best friend Mac (Damaine Radcliff) think that the rich kids who attend the school (actually most attend on grants or scholarships) lead a softer, easier life, like that of a ballet slipper. Cultural differences may seem to separate these people, but as we learn, forgiveness and love know no boundaries.
We root for Tyler and Nora throughout the entire movie. The scenes in which Tyler and Nora dance together are vibrant and fun, inviting the audience to jump out of their seats and join in; there aren't any rules.
Although the plot was predictable and the acting regular, Step Up achieved its main propose: to entertain me for an hour and a half. If you are a dancer, musician, underdog, or someone who wants to hear a good story about "stepping up" to the world, Step Up is a film made for you.