Step Up 2: The Streets

Year of Release: 2008
Genre: Teen / Musical
Rating: PG-13 for language, suggestive material & brief violence
Director: Jon Chu
Starring: Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Adam G. Sevani, Will Kemp, Danielle Polanco, Channing Tatum

Date Of Review: April 2008

Let’s face it, the target audience for this film is teens and 20-somethings, so a film such as this has its time and place, “Step Up 2: The Streets” does exactly what is expected and that’s dance, dance, dance!  Actually, if there is such a thing as too much dancing in a film, then “Step Up 2: The Streets” certainly fits the bill. The film is virtually non-stop dancing from start to finish with the actors stopping for a brief breather every so often for pacing. It is clear that “Step Up 2: The Streets” tries very hard to beat, not only its predecessor, but all the other dance movies of its type through its non-stop, wall to wall dance sequences but unfortunately for me, the dancing is the only thing that cuts it. The soundtrack doesn’t cut it and neither does the dramatics. Now, if only the film had a story and a script to back up the dancing we would have something special. “Step Up 2: The Streets” is strictly for the “So You Think You Can Dance” crowd and I am sure that if you enjoy watching that popular reality TV show, you will definitely get something out of this. 

For the millennium teen generation the success of the “Step Up” films, almost mirrors the success of the Breakin’ films in the 1980s. The original Breakin’ had more story and plot just like the original “Step Up”. The Breakin’ sequel “Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo” pushed aside dramatics in preference of a non-stop dance-fest. Similarly, ”Step Up 2: The Streets” sticks to the same formula and turns out to be an absolute dance-fest as well.  “Step Up 2’s” lead actress Briana Evigan, is a new face and is difficult to get used to at first but grows on you as the film progresses, however she is no Lucinda Dickey.  In fact, at times she reminded me of Ricki-Lee Coulter, a finalist on the reality singing show “Australian Idol”. On the other hand, the male lead Robert Hoffman reminded me of a blonde Freddie Prinze Jr, I am not sure but I think it is his eyes. Also, the only connection “Step Up 2” The Streets” has with the original film is in the form of a brief cameo appearance by Channing Tatum, who was the star of the original “Step Up”.

Some teen films break new ground and appeal to a wider audience usually because they possess a superior plot and above average performances.  Sadly “Step Up 2: The Streets” has drawbacks in both these areas. A few of the better dance films in the 1980s broke-free of the youth market stigma associated with their film type because they had a soundtrack album that had universal appeal to a much wider audience. “Flashdance” and “Footloose” are perfect examples of this and their soundtracks drew people of all ages to the cinema.  Sadly, the music in “Step Up 2: The Streets” is strictly for the demographic that it is aimed at. Older audiences will have difficulty connecting with any of the songs on the soundtrack album. Yet, the quality of the dancing in “Step Up 2” will compensate to some degree for some of the film's deficiencies. 

“Step 2: The Streets” succeeds in being a high-energy mish-mash of freestyle, hip-hop, break-dancing, krumpin’,  poppin’, lockin’ and more. It kicks off with a unique dance routine on a subway train, followed by some exhilarating trampoline dancing and acrobatics that takes place at a dance venue. The dancing never lets up as we are treated to some exciting training routines, not to mention a serve of some old-school couple-dancing at a Puerto Rican house party. But the icing on the cake is the film’s finale, a dynamic rain soaked dance-a-thon that is certainly a nod and a wink to the old Gene Kelly classic “Singing In The Rain”. "Step Up 2" takes that old classy, vibrant dance number to a new level by having entire crews of talented young dancers tear it up in the wet, while an ecstatic young crowd cheer on their every move. Gene Kelly eat your heart out….but having said that I don’t expect to see “Step 2: The Streets” sitting in the classic section of your local DVD store 50 years from now. Unfortunately, “Step 2: The Streets” is like a fad film, it will play on heavy rotation in the DVD players of most teens for the next 12 months or so but I expect it will soon be forgotten, just like some of the old technology….how often does one think about 8 track tapes these days? Not very often I suspect.

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The Original "Step Up" - Now Available on DVD:

Step Up (2006) (Widescreen Version) [DVD]
Freestyle dancer Tyler (Channing Tatum) can't steer clear of trouble, forced to work as a Maryland arts school's janitor after he and his gang get caught trashing the auditorium. Tyler meets and falls for Nora (Jenna Dewan), a privileged dance student whose partner sprains his ankle just before a big competition. Can opposites not only attract, but learn from each other? Energetic drama also stars Damaine Radcliff, Rachel Griffiths. 103 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; behind-the-scenes footage; bloopers; deleted scenes; audio commentary; featurette; music videos; more.

If you like "Step Up 2: The Streets" you should also enjoy the following movies - Now Available on DVD:

Breakin' (1984) [DVD]
Breakdance! Rap music! They're on the street! Movies Unlimited's got a flick that can't be beat! Lots of great dancin' and spinnin' around! It's the hippest movie you'll find in town! Lot's of great music from the top pop world! "Breakin'" has the beat that'll make you whirl! So get down, get funky, grab a pal! Movies Unlimited's gonna make you say "wow"!! Lucinda Dickey, Shabba-Doo, Boogaloo Shrimp and Christopher McDonald star, with a performance by Ice-T. 86 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.

Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984) [DVD]
The snazzy, smash sequel to the big breakdancing hit of the year brings back Lucinda Dickey, Boogaloo Shrimp and Shabba-Doo to organize all the breakers in town to help fight a mean-spirited land developer. These hip-hop kids just want to have fun, and so will you! With Ice-T, Jo De Winter. 94 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.

Beat Street (1984) [DVD]
The Bronx is the hippest place in America, as breakdancers, graffiti artists, DJs and rap musicians converge for an exciting street scene. Grandmaster Melle Mel and Afrika Bambaataa are featured with Rae Dawn Chong in this Harry Belafonte production. 106 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.

Body Rock (1984) [DVD]
"Feast your eyes on the prize!" Get moving with "Falcon Crest" star Lorenzo Lamas in this vibrant, dynamic breakdancing musical that will transport you back in time to the 1980s. After he is offered the chance to shake his groove thing in a popular New York City nightclub, he discovers a taste of stardom. But will his newfound fame cost him the love of his life? Vicki Frederick, Cameron Dye, Michelle Nicastro co-star. 93 min. Soundtrack: English.  

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