Flash mob theatrics and a dash of class politics spin together in the superficially fun Step Up: Revolution. This fourth film in the Step Up series finds classically trained dancer Emily (Kathryn McCormick of So You Think You Can Dance fame) moving to Miami with her development tycoon father. Emily soon falls for Sean (MMA fighter Ryan Guzman), who leads local dance collective The MOB in their extravagant, viral video friendly dance attacks. Naturally, Emily’s father is planning to bulldoze the MOB’s neighbourhood to build luxury hotels and the only way to stop him will be to believe in the power of dance. As usual in these dance films, story is merely garnish. The risky, elaborate routines in Step Up: Revolution are the real stars, and they’re pulled off with an infectious rhythm. Throw in some of the better used 3D effects this summer, and you could do worse than this swirl of cotton candy cinema.
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2012.