Step Up 2 the Streets (PG)

Time Out says

Tue Mar 18 2008

It’s a case of more of the same in this follow up to teen dance drama ‘Step Up’ – only this time the street kid shaking up the posh school is female. After enrolling in a school of arts, rebellious Andie (Briana Evigan) meets privileged Chase (Robert Hoffman), who’s wowed by her moves and wants to get jiggy with her in every sense. But things are kept clean in this PG version of urban culture, which can make it implausible at times.

Still, ‘Step Up’ was a hit with the kids, and this may be too – its Stateside success means a third film is already in the works. Many dance scenes are spectacular, including the opening number in which Andie’s crew takes commuters by surprise by performing on a subway train. But this sequel is missing the first film’s greatest tween draw: hunky hero Channing Tatum, who merely cameos here before giving way to the bland Hoffman. This time, the male love interest is the safe one, not the dangerous rebel with the risqué moves. Honestly, haven’t they seen ‘Dirty Dancing’?

Author: Anna Smith