For those addicted to film about street dancing, filled with jaw-gaping routines, pulsating hip-hop music and a flimsy plot to hang it all together, here's another one in the mould. Ironically, it isn't the quality of the dancing that differentiates one film from the other, as a rule it is a given that the dancing will be top notch. The yardstick lies in the storyline, the appeal of the characters and how that fabulous dancing is used.
With familiar themes about rivalry, family and living your dream, Step Up 3D is so intent to dazzle us with non-stop high-octane dancing, incredibly it becomes a bit of a yawn as it plays on one note. We feel as though we have seen it all before, and while director Jon Chu makes full use of the 3D experience with an effective, if stylised way of shooting, the routines eventually become (dare I say?) monotonous due to their sameness. Consequently, instead of leaving us gasping by their brilliance as dancers twirl on their heads, leap in gravity defying routines and flex in impossible positions to the rhythmic hip-hop beat, the overall impact is muted.
See www.urbancinefile.com.au for full review
