Pass the Popcorn?

One of my greatest enjoyments in life is getting cozy in a low lit room and watching a movie with people I care about. I had the pleasure of seeing an advanced screening of Step Up 3D a few weeks ago. I had to write a review of it, and I felt very proud of my review. I thought it would be perfect for my blog debut.    :)
______________________________________________________________________


“Some people learn to dance, others are born to.” This one line from the third installment of the popular Step Up franchise, Step Up 3D, sets up the journey on which viewers embark. From Central Park and NYU, to the East Village and slums of New York City, the movie captures what life is truly like for those struggling to get by. A close group of talented dancers, led by Luke (Rick Malambri), boogie their way across hardships, romance, and brilliantly choreographed dance battles, which inevitably lead to a climatic showdown that kept the audience on their toes.

The movie follows the struggles of Luke as he is faced with the closing of the Vault, a building his parents created dedicated to dance, all while trying to keep his tight-knit dancing crew together. Fans of Step Up 2 will be thrilled that the ever popular Moose (Adam Sevani), has returned and this time plays a much more central character. Making an early impression on Luke, he is asked to join the dance crew, and quickly becomes Luke’s go to man.

Anyone who has ever seen these films knows that behind all the amazing dance stunts lies a deep message about finding yourself and being true to who you are. Enter Natalie (Sharni Vinson), a beautiful woman whose dance moves quickly attract the attention of Luke, and Camille (Alyson Stoner), Moose’s lifelong best friend. The chemistry between the characters feels very natural and unforced. It's easy to believe these characters genuinely have feelings for each other and you want them to end up in one another’s arms and dancing into the sunset. 

All of that is wonderful, but the real reason you’ll spend the money to see this film in digital 3D is because of the over-the-top dance moves which never fail to impress, and now place you on the dance floor. Jon Chu, who previously directed Step Up 2, knows exactly how to direct a dance scene. A perfect example is the amazingly filmed dance number between Moose and Camille, all of which took place in a single shot. This number took us back to the days of Gene Kelley in Singing In The Rain, with its utilization of trashcan lids and simple music coming from an ice cream truck.

Many films today love to play the 3D card almost as a way to entice people to spend a couple of extra dollars at the box office. I was pleasantly surprised at not only how good the 3D looked, but how well it was used during the dance battles, which made the audience suddenly feel as if they were in middle of their own dancing showdown. 

Step Up 3D contained jaw dropping dance moves, relatable characters, and left me wanting to dance while sporting my very own pair of light up kicks. This movie proved to be a fun, late summer flick for all to enjoy. GO SEE IT!