Step Up: A Trendy Film with a Profound Message

I never thought I’d be going to the theater to see - of all things - Step Up. I thought it would be some chick-flick that was about how a good girl and rough guy fell in love all because the girl managed to change him. I thought it would be fluffy, corny - you know - one of those movies that makes you want to puke (if you’re a guy, at least).

I was wrong.

Step Up really turned out to be quite a hit with my mind. It sends out an exceptional message - to always strive for what you believe in, fight for your goals and never give up. And who better to tell you that than Channing Tatum - who plays Tyler Gage in this movie. All I heard from every girl in the theater was “oh, he’s so cute” and “wow, he’s hot!” as well some other things that are a bit inappropriate to be considered decent Epinions material. It seems that he’s perfectly capable of motivating a girl to go for her dreams.

Tyler Gage is a troubled kid who resides in Maryland. He lives with his little sister, his foster mother and his foster father (who’s an alcoholic). He has been to court several times - most likely for stealing cars with his friends as well as vandalism. This particular time he is sentenced to 200 hours of community service at a school of the arts.

Jenna Dewan stars as Nora. This beautiful young woman is a senior and is looking to continue her passion throughout her life and turn it into a carrier. Her passion is dancing, which she learned to do before she learned even to walk. She is practicing for her final performance - one which all the honchos from major dancing companies will be attending - when she finds that her dance partner has broken his leg and is not able to perform. Bummer.

Gee…I wonder what happens next. Well, as if you didn’t know - Tyler ends up being her dance partner. Yes they do have their problems throughout the whole thing, but there are some humorous parts as well as some meaningful parts that - well - may make you cry (but not us strong men!). I won’t give away anything else, but I can safely say that the movie doesn’t disappoint in terms of plot. It’s predictable to an extent, but there are a couple of minor twists. It does drag on occasion, but for the most part I think it kept a pretty steady pace. Let me put it this way: it kept my attention 98% of the time.

I really want to talk about the dancing in this movie. Wow! Do these people have talent! The choreographer was a genius. Channing and Jenna really know how to step it up and be aggressive in their moves. This wasn’t ballet or tap - this was hardcore hip-hop, throw ’er over your shoulder and show ‘em that you mean business -stuff. In other words, the dancing was amazing. I wish I could dance like that.

What do I think of the acting? I think Jenna does a real nice job in her role - she expresses her discipline and desire to dance as if someone in real life would. Dancing is a major part of the acting, and as I stated before, it was exceptional.

Channing, on the other hand, is a bit odd. I don’t know if the director (Anne Fletcher) deliberately made him this way, but his personality seemed a bit dry. The movie had a lot to do with reaching goals and proving yourself, but there were times where his attitude left something to be desired. But boy can he dance.

So what are my final thoughts of Step Up? I actually enjoyed the movie quite a bit. The message it delivers to the viewers is certainly something that I find to be refreshing - especially in today’s world which is infested in sex, greed and war. I think the acting was decent - perhaps Channing Tatum could have been a bit better, but overall I think he played the role decently. Jenna Dewan was very good in my opinion - she was definitely more convincing than Tatum.

I would recommend going out to the see the movie. The message was admirable.