STEP UP 2 THE STREETS

STEP UP 2 THE STREETS is the story of a confused teenage orphan who finds her place of acceptance as well as a family of friends in the hip-hop dance culture on the streets of Baltimore.

Andie (Briana Evigan), lost and alone since her mother passed away, is now being cared for by her mother’s best friend. However, when Andie starts skipping classes and running with the wrong crew, a group of hip-hop vandals known as the 410, her caretaker decides to give Andie one more chance at the Maryland School of the Arts (MSA). If Andie fails, though, she will be forced to move to Texas and live with her other relatives.

At MSA, Andie quickly finds herself at odds with the structure of ballet class and the rigidity of her instructors. Also, Andie’s 410 crew, who feel she has betrayed them for the MSA lifestyle, also ostracizes her. Lost and alone, Andie meets Chase (Robert Hoffman), the premiere dancer at MSA. She discovers that he too, along with many other kids at MSA, love hip-hop dance and long to start a crew of their own. Andie joins with them to get ready to dance at “the streets,” a dance competition that pits the best hip-hop crews of Baltimore against each other. During preparation for the competition, Andie finds love and acceptance as well as a new family of friends.

STEP UP 2 THE STREETS is a hip-hop spectacle that showcases the immense dance skills of its cast and choreographers. Marketed to and guaranteed to draw in throngs of young people, this sequel to 2006’s surprisingly successful movie STEP UP, plays like a cool music video. The dance sequences are thrilling and engaging, although sometimes they feel long and drawn out, not helping to advance the story.

The plot is predictable, the acting has little depth, and the characters are flat and one-dimensional. That said, audiences are not going to see Shakespeare here. In its goal to entertain, the movie is very successful. Also, the content is not overly salacious. The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures have kept the filth out and the fun in this movie.

There is some light teen romance, however. There is also some sensual dancing, although not excessive and not prevalent, by any means. Also, some of the young women are clad in tight tops that reveal their midriffs and cleavage, so parents should be aware. Some miscellaneous immorality such as vandalism, running from the police and some “crew” violence is in the movie. On a positive note, there are some moral elements such as the importance of family, love and self-sacrifice.

All in all, STEP UP 2 THE STREETS has some cautionary elements, but it is a fun, engaging spectacle that has great dancing with a little story on the side. For a list of movies that have great stories and uplifting messages, please go to www.movieguide.org.