Customer Reviews

Step Up 2 The Streets

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Everything about this film FAR exceeds the first in the series. First of all, the actors are way more talented, in both their dancing and acting skills. Where Channig Tatum was practically robotic in the original, Rob Hoffman is charming and funny. Brianna also adds a good element, because where Nora was the goody two shoes, Brianna's more tough, and fights for what she wants. And the dance sequences will absolutely blow you away. Rather than looking overly rehearsed, the moves come across as smooth and amazing. The plot as a whole seems to be less cliche-y as well.

I think that this is a movie that anyone can enjoy, but it seems that people are split on which is better. Some think the first is better, while others prefer this newer, more hip version. Either way, this movie is DEFINITELY worth checking out!

This movie was definitely better than the first one. The dancing, acting, and plot line were all much more interesting and convincing. I liked how they tied it into the first film while introducing a completely new cast. I saw this movie three times in the theater and cannot wait for it to come out on DVD!

Saddled with a screenplay that wouldn't earn a passing grade in a Cinema 101 course, "Step Up 2 the Streets" is an urban fairy tale about an orphaned crew dancer (Briana Evigan) from the 'hood who is accepted into the Maryland School of the Arts. But can she find a home with the assortment of geeks, preppies and classically-trained arty types who attend the school? And can she succeed as a student without turning her back on her "homies" from the old neighborhood? Or will she be forced to form her own crew from dancers at the school to compete with the Big Boys out on the streets?

You can write the script yourself, but the key selling-point of this sequel to "Step Up" - sort of a mash-up of "Fame," "Footloose" and "School of Rock" - is clearly not the storytelling but the dancing. And in that respect it delivers the goods. So ignore the predictable plotting, the tinny dialogue, the corny inspirational speeches, the wafer-thin characters, the obligatory montage sequences and the amateurish acting, and simply revel in the moves, street-dance or otherwise, that permeate the film. It's not much in the way of compensation, I know, but at least it's better than nothing.

Okay, so these new wave dance flicks are a dime a dozen, and half of them are just mediocre offerings with one impossible dance move after the next. When `Step Up' came out I really expected nothing from it, but I got a sensational and really, really great movie that had enough heart and chemistry to make it stand out amongst the onslaught of trashy teen dance movies. Really, you need to see it! So, I was excited about the prospects of `Step Up 2: The Streets', but after seeing the trailer I was afraid it was going to be nothing more than a rehash of the same story with different actors.

So I waited.

I am happy (so happy) to say that `Step Up 2: The Streets' does not have the same story, even though it is slightly similar. It does lack the chemistry that made the original so charming, but the lead actress, Briana Evigan, carries enough saucy charm to make up for Robert Hoffman's lack of everything (the guy is kind of gross creepy here).

Andie is a teen with no real purpose. Her mother dies when she was young and she's been living with her mother's best friend. She finds herself at a crossroads when her ties with the infamous 410 (a dance crew) leave her with two options; a prestigious dance school or Texas. Now, I live in Texas, so I understand why she opted for the school. She doesn't fit in (of course) but she finds herself flirting with even more danger when the school legend Chase Collins takes a liking to Andie, and her dance style, and convinces her to join forces with him, and a slew of talented yet overlooked students, in order to take on a street dancing competition. Love develops, feelings are trampled, rivalries are started...and dancing HAPPENS!

Like I said, Evigan is great. She is sensual with a kick of edge that keeps her interesting; and that smoker's voice is just, UGH, so Scarlett Johansson...me loves it! Robert Hoffman is the opposite. He is supposed to be all charming and sweet and lovable but he comes across creepy. The rest of the cast is really just a collection of moving bodies, and they all work well in that respect. Miss Ventura is stunning to look at whether she's moving or standing still, I'll give her that. Black Thomas (yes, that is his name) is respectable as the token gangster (very cliché, but whatever) and Danielle Polanco is quite engaging as the street-smart and genuinely sweet Missy.

But this is not about acting, believe me.

The dancing is insane here, and the final dance scene, in the rain, is just UGH, WOW...that was hot! Yes, I said hot, and I meant that in like every possible way. I did want to mention Adam G. Sevani (who looks like `Year One' version Michael Cera) who is your typical `nerdy kid who befriends outcast' here. The reason I mention him is because his Michael Jackson inspired dace sequence at the end is phenomenal and easily the most memorable part of the entire movie.

So, if you want a fun and entertaining film with lots of dancing then this is the one for you. It doesn't have the `everything' factor that the original had, but it makes up for it in other areas.

See them both.

I will be part of the limited few who probably say that this movie just wasn't really good. I for one was bothered by the fact it had NO story line or real plot, because other than that, what did we really have? Five minutes of genuinely good dancing and 1+ hours of no real relationships between the characters. My first question was watching this film: Who is Andie? I did remember that she was the adopted sister of Tyler in the first movie? I guess that must've been it. Realistically, it did not tell me in the movie itself. Tyler shows up in one scene, but it still does not tell me, what happened to him? What happened to his girlfriend? How many years have passed? What happened to the other people they were living with? As I remember Andie, and Tyler were not the only people living with the foster parents. That's where my question started. Now onto the next part: where were the original teachers from MSA? The original principal? These were left unanswered. Apparently Andie became a street dancer with the four one O crew. The story line never told me what the relationship was between her and the leader? Was he her ex- boyfriend? Why did he care who she was hanging out with? When was the group formed? Generally, throughout the movie, too many questions were left unanswered for me and I failed to see the relationship between this movie and Step Up. I also found it strange that originally when Andie formed her new crew, they were BAD at dancing, and after 2 miraculous practices (that's what the movie showed) they became AMAZING. What I am trying to say is: this movie did not focus on the parts that it should have focused on. Like building relationships between characters or showing that these dancers practiced day and night to become good. To be honest, none of the dance moves were all that great. The ending 5 minutes in the rain where they dance was where I could say, good movie. The rest just wasn't really that good. Is it a bad movie? No, I have seen worse, was it worth getting on DVD? Probably not, because this is for me one of those watch once movies unless I want to learn a few dance moves.

The "story" is a little weak and has been done a million times in other movies, but the dancing in this is fantastic, and Robert Hoffman is EXTREMELY charming. Adam Sevani (Moose) is a great surprise. The final dance scene is well worth watching the movie for, unique and immensely entertaining. It's not going to win Oscars but you will be entertained and probably want to watch it again just for the amazing dancing.

A great movie with possibly the greatest number of totally implausible scenes in one place. Breaking and entering into Tuck's house is a good place to start. Or, when Andie gets an audition to the traditional "stuffy ballet school" in less than 24 hours. Or when Chase gets jumped, and receives four--count 'em--four kicks to the ribs, but is dancing up a storm the next day.

Also, quite possibly the most formulaic movie ever, with traditional old-school Christian values as the controlling force. Pleasantly moralistic.

Anyway, the interesting thing about this movie (to me) is that Hip-Hop dancing is no longer for the amateurs. Hip-Hop is now learned in schools, with training as rigorous as ballet. And it shows, for this movie is over-charged with great dancing. Quite amazing!

Good acting,great music and excellent dancing.
Amazing feats to be able to make some of the moves.
The story is kind of predictable and lacking imagination leaving us wanting to know more about some of the characters.
The great acting abilities of Channing Tatum were sadly wasted because of the flimsy story so poorly written and simplistic.
Customs are very effective and well done as well as the choreography.
Buy it for the great dancing because West Side Story it isn't.
I still enjoyed it a lot.

It seems many people were disappointed in this movie due to the lack of plot or, at best, a very simple one, and the sub-par acting. In fact, I was so convinced after reading all the reviews that I would not like it as much as I thought I originally would. Regardless, I saw it used and decided to give it a shot and, I have to say, I am keeping this one.

Yes, the acting is not the best and the plot was the way to keep it together, so they could call it a "movie" and not a "music video," but I have absolutely no complaints or problems with that at all. If you search for any of the main "actors" their first occupation is not acting, it is dancing or choreography and, Sarah, the guardian, used to be a slam poet and Cassie (the source of conflict) is a professional singer and dancer by trade. Needless to say, they are not actors and it shows, but I wouldn't call their acting horrible, it was decent. Yet, the thing is, I don't think this movie would be half as good if they cast actors and tried to teach them how to dance, (they have reality shows for that) what really made this movie great was the dancing and you can tell that these guys are professionals in that respect, because I have never seen such phenomenal dancing in my life. Between the catchy and upbeat music and the amazing "popping," "Krumping" and raw street dancing this movie is definitely one I will watch again and again. In fact, I cannot stop watching the final dances in the street, especially Adam Sevani (Moose) with that awesome routine to Timbaland's "Bounce."

Anyway, despite what people are saying, if you like watching people dance to upbeat, high-energy music then definitely do yourself a favor and check this movie out.

Lastly, to comment briefly on the Blu Ray version. The picture quality is amazing, so much so, you can read what is on the shirts of those in the crowd and the sound is phenomenal. I can't tell you the exact specs, but what I can tell you is the picture is clear and vibrant and when they kick up the water during the dance scene in the rain, you truly feel as though you are going to get hit by the splash :) And, the sound is very clear, I have a 7.1 system set up but this DVD only does 5.1, but it makes up for it by giving me TrueHD.

All in all, if you are not concerned about a weak plot and poor acting, but really like watching phenomenal dancing, this is the movie for you. It definitely is for me.

Okay first off I'd like saying this was amazing. I loved the first and when I heard there was going to be a second I flipped out in excitment, yet I didn't know if it was going to be good because sometimes sequels aren't the best such as Save the Last Dance 2.

But this was awesome ! Honsetly they're super hot looking cast with even hotter dances moves made me want to start dancing in the theater, I recommand this movie for people who love dance and action and drama. I think all ages could enjoy this, yet there was some language, but overall I think the director Jon M Chu and the cast did an amazing job !