PRINTMovie Review: Step Up Revolution
Another movie where attractiveness was prioritized over acting
Photo Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
July 28, 2012 | 12:00 p.m. CST
Step Up Revolution is a film filled with attractive, talented dancers but not-so-talented actors, which leaves audiences simply waiting for the next dance scene. The plot lacks originality, but can almost be forgiven by the goose bump-inducing dance sequences.
Sean (Ryan Guzman) and his flash mob crew, creatively called The Mob, execute elaborate performance art in Miami to gain recognition and win money in a YouTube competition. Emily (Kathryn McCormick) is a well-to-do contemporary dancer who, according to the director of a prestigious dance company she’s auditioning for, has the technique but lacks originality. Sean and Emily meet, seduce each other through dance and their two different worlds intertwine.
Related MovieIn between the clichés and lifeless acting from the two leads who are making their film debuts, are the flash mobs. Each dance is perfectly timed, filled with props, costumes and stunning visual effects. However, for a group of underprivileged dance kids, all those smoke machines, costumes and equipment look expensive. The various dances are undeniably impressive though, with dynamic and sharp camerawork that really showcases the performances.
Emily’s dad just so happens to be the evil developer who wants to destroy The Mob’s run down, but culturally rich neighborhood. She suggests changing their performance art to protest art, leading to one of the most exciting dances where the group crashes the City Council development meeting dressed in matching black business attire.
As the movie goes on, everything you expect to happen does. Sean and his best friend/co-creator of The Mob, Eddy, get in a dramatic fight, Sean teaches Emily how to dance with passion, and everything changes once the crew finds out about Emily’s family ties. While it’s hard to get attached to the characters on any emotional level, tanned-abs, Channing Tatum look-alike lead actor might be enough to keep some audiences happy.
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