Step Up Revolution is the fourth film in the Step Up series, of which Channing Tatum and other prominent dancers are alums. The movies are known for having poor story lines but fantastic dancing, and Step Up Revolutionmight actually be the best film yet in the series dance-wise. The plot is "fluffy," yes, but if you take Step Up Revolution at face value - as a dance movie - you will be pleasantly surprised, because the dancing in this film was intricate, definitely well-choreographed, and even sizzling in some scenes.
Sean (newcomer Ryan Guzman) works as a waiter at a hotel. After his shift is over, though, he hits the hotel's beach club with his friends to work on his dance moves. It's there that he meets Emily (Kathryn McCormick, TV's So You Think You Can Dance), who proves that although she's classically-trained, she can definitely keep up with him on the dance floor. Sean is a member of "The Mob," who does dancing flash mobs all over Miami, and Emily wants in to the group. Soon, however, her father (Peter Gallagher, TV's Covert Affairs), a real estate mogul, announces he has decided to "beautify" an older area of Miami; the people who rent in that area - who live there and own businesses - will all be evicted. Sean's sister and niece lives there, and Sean and The Mob decide to change their flash dancing into "protest dancing" in the hopes that the city council won't approve Emily's father's plans. Emily wants to participate in this, but to do so she will have to lie to The Mob and not tell them who her father is.
Like I said, the plot in this movie doesn't really matter, though I will say that it was at least coherent. The dance scenes were amazing, and some of them I actually wouldn't mind seeing again in the theater. The 3D was definitely added in post-production - at some points in the movie the people looked too small to be real - but it does add value to a few of the scenes; if you decide to see it in 3D rather than 2D, you won't be disappointed. All of the cast members are relatively unknown except Peter Gallagher, who has a part as "the villain" (Emily's dad) who wants to tear down people's homes and businesses, and I was impressed to learn that Ryan Guzman, who plays the male lead, hasn't acted in any other movies prior to this one - his acting when he was not dancing was decent overall.
Yes, see this film, especially if you love reality dancing shows on TV or dance in general. This film is not going to win any Oscars but it's one of the most fun movies I've seen this summer, and when you consider all the "summer fluff" that's released this time of year, that is a high endorsement.
Step Up Revolution is in theaters today, July 27, and is rated PG-13 with a runtime of 99 minutes. 4 stars out of 5.
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Liz Parker is a 2009 graduate of the University of Michigan. She currently works as an Assistant Medical Editor for a pathology website. Visit her at her movie blog Yes/No Films