STEP UP REVOLUTION

 RYAN: We’ve always been big fans of TV’s So You Think You Can Dance because the dancing is just so good!

CAROLINE: Honey, I’ve even been to their live tours; those kids are so freakin’ talented.  So how was this latest Step Up?  It’s the fourth in the franchise.

RYAN: It’s consistent with it’s predecessors; in some ways better, in others not s’much.

CAROLINE: Break it down for me.

RYAN: Once again, the dancing is all really great.  There’s some fantastic choreography and I love all the different styles featured: Contemporary, Hip Hop, Salsa…

CAROLINE: Yeah I love diversity among dance numbers.  Did you recognize any former SYTYCDers in it?

RYAN: Twitch has a supporting role.  As does Mia Michaels.  And the lead girl, Kathryn McCormick was also on the show, season 6 – she came in third place so this movie is really a big deal for her.  She’s gorge and a decent actress.  Twitch, on the other hand… let’s just say he’s a dancer who acts.  Or tries to.

CAROLINE: Ouch.  But I love him.  He’s amazing.  How was Mia?

RYAN: She’s fine.  It’s just fun to see her but holy cats!  The makeup they caked on her face was terrifying.  I didn’t know one person could wear that much makeup.  She looked like a drag version of herself.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ That’s hilarious.  I’d go just to see that.

RYAN: The script is a little rough.  Especially the father/daughter scenes with Peter Gallagher.

CAROLINE: He’s in this?

RYAN: Randomly, yes.  And he’s usually pretty good but that’s why I think it’s the script that was problematic; not the story, per se, but the dialogue.

CAROLINE: That makes sense.  How’s the 3D?

RYAN: It’s pretty cool.  It provides a lot of good visual depth and there are a few dance moves that really pop out and a lot of sand thrown around that make it look cool.

CAROLINE: Any dances kicking up puddles again?

RYAN: Not this time.  But the other cool thing about this movie is that it centers around flash mobs and videos going viral.

CAROLINE: I love flash mobs!  They’re so creative.

RYAN: Totally.  It’s performance art so a lot of these dance scenes took full advantage of set, location, costume, audience…  it really was the right construct to justify all the dancing in the film.  That was very well done.

CAROLINE: That’s cool.  Is the guy gonna be the next Channing Tatum?

RYAN: I doubt it.  He’s cute but kinda one dimensional.

CAROLINE: You know he had to have thought about that.

RYAN: Of course.  This is a fun movie for tween girls or fans of great dancing; if you like So You Think You Can Dance or chessy teen romance.  But it’s not a good movie.