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Andie West’s (Briana Evigan) mother dies and she is taken in by her mother's best friend, Sarah (Sonja Sohn). Since Andie often skips school and spends too much time as a member of the notorious dance crew 410, Sarah wants her to go live with her aunt in Texas. Andie resents the idea. However, her friend and older brother figure, Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum) convinces Sarah to give her another chance so she can audition for the Maryland School of the Arts (MSA). Andie auditions and though the director of the school is hesitant to accept her, she still makes it. Due to her school commitments she misses many 410 rehearsals, and they throw her out. She then assembles a new crew of classmates who are all confined to the school’s conventions including Chase Collins (Robert Hoffman), the popular school dancer who falls for her. They practice after school hours so they can compete against the 410 in Baltimore's underground dance battle, The Streets. However, joining the competition could mean their expulsion from the MSA.
The sequel to 2006’s Step Up, Step Up 2 The Streets is still faithful to its genre wherein almost half of the movie has been dedicated to dancing. The dance sequences are entertaining and amazing but the story itself is quite predictable and formulaic. Although it does not disappoint its audience, the film does not exceed expectations. The back stories and motivations are far too shallow and the romance does not go beyond juvenile. However, the movie will be best remembered for its upbeat soundtrack and the camera movements that go with the hip treatment.
Unlike other dance movies, there are less sexual insinuations in Step Up 2 The Streets. However, the plot points and theme revolve around actions of rebellion that are often overlooked and left unresolved. There’s violence and cursing all throughout the movie and no one gets punished. The street dances are often done in places where alcohol abound although none of the main characters drink. Some of the dance movements somehow connote seduction and promiscuity so young audiences should be guided. But there are valuable lessons in the movie like genuine friendships, standing up for one’s passion and accepting persons as they are. The streets are glorified in the movie that is both novel and disturbing. While it is true that the street is a venue where people from various backgrounds meet and unite, it is still not the best place to bring up our youth where no authority is recognized and no law is obeyed.
(Date Reviewed: 13 March 2008)
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