Step Up 2 The Streets

As a movie this is pretty average. The script is uninspired, the plot cheesy, the acting average but the dancing is pretty slick, and that is what matters since ostensibly this movie is a showcase for dance. My daughter certainly enjoyed it, despite the chronically bad continuity towards the end of the film.

The video extras include a Deleted Scenes selection and what I like about this particular batch is you can watch them with or without a commentary from director, John Chu. If you choose to watch them with his commentary, he explains what he was trying to achieve with each scene and why they were ultimately deleted. This makes a refreshing change from the usual. There are two dance routines, one by Jabawockeez and the other by West Coast Riders, both of whom are pretty talented. The other deleted scene worth mentioning is the song montage by Cassie Ventura.

Also included is The Robert Hoffman Video Prank, featuring the actor leaving a highly bemused shop assistant behind in his wake, having break danced in the store. Then there is Fresh Eyes: The Making of Step Up 2 The Streets. This is the usual rather self-congratulatory stuff, in which the director talks about why the movie was made, the rehearsal process, the characters, the actors and particularly the director, John Chu and his choreographers. What really comes across here is Chu's genuine fascination with and passion for street dancing!

Lastly, there is Outlaws of Hip Hop: Meet the 410. For dance fans this is more of a treat, featuring as it does an interview with the choreographer, Hi-Hat and the 410 crew. They are shown in rehearsal and there are numerous interviews with them explaining how they got in to dance, why they enjoy it and what it means to them on a personal level. There is a real sense of purpose here and it is always interesting hearing people with real skill and panache discussing what they do and why they love it.

For such a colourful movie, the DVD is surprisingly subdued. The colours don't leap out at you and in places it even feels quite murky. It's possible that Chu was aiming to convey to us the grittiness of the streets but I think that might be me being charitable! There is little distortion in the incredibly fast-paced dance sequences where you might expect it but ultimately I would say that you were watching the film for the excellence of the dance and music and not for the quality of the image or the acting.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack has lashings of hip-hop that shifts from channel to channel, booming bass lines and dance routines that make you tap your feet. The music alone is interesting enough to make you want too listen and the fact that it often blends seamlessly into the dialogue adds to the atmosphere. Though I have to say that is thanks to the quality of the soundtrack not the dialogue!

All in all, this is a movie that the teenagers will love. Having said that, I enjoyed it too. I have to say though that the dialogue and acting is woodeni-Hat. and it is only the dance and music that make it memorable. For that alone, I will give it ***.