(Step Up) 3 Is A Charm

The Verdict: 
GO SEE!


REVIEW:

Since Step Up 3D, the first dance movie of the year, opened over the weekend, I've already seen it twice.

Yes, it is that wow!

And the fact that it is presented in Real D 3D (my first 3D film so I was stunned in my seat for a good while) makes it twice wow!

The third in the Step Up Breakdancing/Hip-Hop dance movie trilogy (So far. I'm really hoping for a next film!) is the most exhilarating hands down.

I liked Step Up (2006), loved Step Up 2: The Streets (2008) but I am in love with Step Up 3D.

If you thought the Step Up 2 last battle scene in the rain was something else---

(if you don't believe me or didn't see part 2 watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-cQrD4MS0 )

wait until you see the battle scene in water in this part. It contains the baddest (in a good way) dance choreography I've seen in awhile--- in movies and real life.

And the final dance battle? There's all these glowing, colorful lights that are on the dancers costumes that light up as the dancers dance. It's beyond incredible.

Step Up 3D (Jon Chu, Step Up 2: The Streets) follows BFAB (Born From A Boombox--- slang for very talented or pro dancers) dancers Luke (Rick Malambri, model turned actor), a breakdancer but more a film maker, Natalie (Sharni Vinson, T.V. actress turned movie actress) a dancer with a secret and Luke's love interest and Robert Alexander III but simply, Moose (Adam Sevani, Step Up 2: The Streets), the lovable, geeky but cool at the same time, Hip-Hop extraordinaire dancer.

Some of the dancers from Step Up 2 make an appearance towards the end of the film which is cool.

The plot is nothing to get excited about (but that's almost always the case with dance films)--- there's a love story (two actually, besides Luke and Natalie, Moose and Camille evolve into more than friends slowly) and of course a rivalry between two dance groups (The Pirates and House of Samurai in this Step Up installment)--- but who cares?

The most important thing in a dance movie is the dancing.

And Step Up 3D delivers big time on the dancing.

Besides the obvious breakdancing, there's a cute Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers-esque dance scene between Moose and his brainy best friend Camille (Alyson Stoner, Step Up)--- Tyler Gage's (Channing Tatum, Step Up, Fighting) baby sister from Step Up. Also, a seductive tango dance scene between Luke and Natalie.

Fans of legendary dancers Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson will surely love the scene where Moose does dead on impersonations of Presley and Jackson (the beginning of Step Up 3D is reminiscent of his This Is It as Luke's dancers The Pirates, are videotaped talking about why they dance. Ironically too, he is one of the dancer's reasons) and gives a spine-tingling little speech how dance can affect people and generations.

If you're dance fan, especially Breakdance and Hip-Hop, I don't think I need to tell you, but dance your way down to the theatres and see Step Up 3D.

You're in for an eye popping (literally!) foot stomping good time!

~Trailer:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810088499/trailer

*The Stars:

Rick Malambri, Adam Sevani, Sharni Vinson, Alyson Stoner

~Director:

Jon Chu

~Music:

Bear McCreary

~Rating:

PG-13

~How Long:

1 hr. 37 mins.

~Opening:

8/6/2010

FUN FACTS:

~9 finalists from the T.V. dance show "So You Think You Can Dance" earned roles in this film.

* http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-08-06-stepup06_VA_N.htm