Director: Trish Sie
Cast: Briana Evigan, Ryan Guzman, Adam G. Sevani, Izabella Miko
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 112 minutes
Synopsis: After The Mob’s attempt to break LA fail, Sean finds himself all on his own. That is until he finds out about a new televised dance contest called The Vortex in Vegas. He then turns to Moose to help create a dance crew that can not only win the contest, but also take down his former troupe who have also entered.
It all started with STEP UP and the film that launched Channing Tatum. It was the classic tale of lady and the tramp as Tatum’s boy from the wrong side of the tracks became dance partners with Jenna Dewan’s (who would go on to become real life Mrs Tatum) spoilt princess ballerina. The film was a heck of a success and as such had been followed with four sequels. STEP UP: THE STREETS, introduced us to dance crews as we saw Andi, a girl from Tatum’s old neighbourhood enroll into a prestigious dance school whilst training to compete in an underground dance battle contest known as ‘the streets’. The following outings have all focused on ensemble crews instead of just a dancing duo.
The fifth film steals from FAST FIVE’s playbook; joining characters from the previous films together into one super-cast. STEP UP: ALL IN features some of the franchise’s most beloved characters, apart from Channing Tatum who is brushing up on his Creole in preparation for his role of Gambit.
The star of the film is Briana Evigan (the lead in STEP UP: THE STREETS) who since her STEP UP debut has gone on to forge a fairly sound career as a ‘scream-queen’. She returns to reprise Andi, the only character that really has any background, or true obstacle, to being part of the proceedings. She once again manages to make Andi one of those rare instances of a girl that guys-want-to-be-with and the girls want-to-be. Her and her ironing board flat abs almost steal the entire movie, though new addition Isabella Miko, does a sterling job as fictional singer and television host Alicia. A character who is equal parts The Hunger Game’s Effie and Lady Gaga.
The plot is as wishy-washy as you’d imagine with the message of dancing for fun and family stamped out every few scenes. The reality dance show angle is at least fresher than the previous films’ ‘battle to be accepted for who they are‘. Of course you don’t watch a dance flick for the plot, you watch it for the dance sequences of which there are plenty. Imagine a musical, but instead of everyone bursting into song they start throwing shapes, and you’ve got STEP UP: ALL IN.
As has come to be expected from the STEP UP movies the final dance sequence is mesmerising, packed full of tricks, so much so that a repeat viewing may be needed to catch them all, this one has everything but the kitchen sink. Every character no matter how small gets their minute in the spotlight. STEP UP: THE STREETS gave us dancing in the rain; ALL IN throws sand, fire and ice in the audience’s face (literally thanks to the 3D).
STEP UP: ALL IN is harmless fun that the target teen/tween market will fall in love with instantly. Thankfully for the adult chaperons there are so many dazzling dance moves that the run time flies past. Don’t worry about being to old for the soundtrack, as there is a pleasant mix of music from the last twenty years or so, even Gangsta’s Paradise makes a fleeting appearance.
Whilst it’s not going to change the film world, the fifth STEP UP film is a valiant effort to keep the franchise alive, and whilst not quite living-up to the first two movies, is definitely better than the two that followed. STEP UP: ALL IN brings back the all-stars for a rip-roaring dance battle-royale.
[usr=3] STEP UP: ALL IN is released in 3D in cinemas across the UK on Friday 1st August.
