Step Up 4: Revolution Review

So what if the story is about a bunch of really confused people? That's not what you go to watch a Step Up movie for, anyway. Whistle-inducing dance sequences accompanied by music that'll have you trying to pop and lock with the best of 'em, and - of course - something worthwhile to keep you occupied when playing hooky from college, are all the reasons you need to justify spending extra cash to watch Step Up Revolution in 3D.

The cast is built almost entirely of clichés. You have the dance crew that "wants to be heard", the poor little rich girl who wants to "break the rules" (an oft-repeated phrase in the movie), her rich business magnate "Scrooge" of a daddy who dismisses her aspirations as impractical, and his lackey who sucks up to the daughter to win brownie points with the father. But, from amongst all this mediocrity, the dancers and their passion for the art shine through like a bright, bright beacon.

Sean (Ryan Guzman) and Eddie (Misha Gabriel) have brought together a team of brilliant artists - artists of music, technology, visuals, and of course, dance - to create "The MOB", a crew that's working all of Miami into a frenzy, by organizing loud, intricate flash mobs just about anywhere they're most likely to garner the maximum attention. Their aim is to go viral and get as many hits on YouTube as possible, so they can win a cash prize which will set them up for life. These superheroes of hip-hop even have their pedantic alter egos. In real life, they work as waiters at a classy hotel.

One fine day, their employer's daughter, Emily (Kathryn McCormick), waltzes into Sean's life, demanding to be let into the MOB, so that she can explore her potential as a dancer. Sean convinces his crew, but hides the pesky little detail of who she really is, including the fact that it was "daddy dearest" who fired Eddie. She gets in, does a great job, and all is sunshine and roses for a while. Then one day, Emily's father decides he'd like to buy the neighborhood where all the crew members live, raze it down, and build a posh new area from scratch, costing the lot of them and others their livelihoods and homes.

That's when Emily hits upon the brilliant idea of turning the MOB into a kind of super-effective sounding board for the community. However, the crew members find out Emily's secrets, have a temporary brain failure, and sabotage their goals, their aims and everything just to get back at her, thus getting themselves into the worst possible predicament.

There is a lot in this movie that is entirely dispensable. But, much can be forgiven in this rusty sieve of a plot that exists merely to serve as a foil to the awe-inspiring dexterity, outlandish creativity, and breathtaking visual appeal of the dance sequences. Music, lights, costumes, timing and all other peripherals are exactly as they ought to be.

The utilization of 3D technology is superb. The soundtrack will have you humming the music for some days to come. The chemistry between the lead couple is corporeal enough to touch. Also, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by special appearances from a few old friends "stepping up".

So, get your 3D glasses on, sit back and enjoy the Step Up crew as they put their best foot forward.