Another sequel for which nobody was clamoring, filmmaker Jon Chu's Step Up 2 the Streets serves up the clichés fast and furious in a slender plot that fills out the time between energetic dance numbers. At the story's center is Andie (Briana Evigan), a talented, athletic hoofer who rolls with the 4-1-0, an inner-city dance troupe that performs on crowded subway trains for fun. Given the opportunity to attend an elite Baltimore arts school, Andie is forced to choose between her present raucous lifestyle and the promise of a prestigious future. Of course, with hunky beaus in each setting (Black Thomas and Robert Hoffman), the choice is a tough one. Step Up 2 the Streets offers some rudimentary commentary on race and class, but let's face it, this film is all about the fine dance sequences, which are—admittedly—staged, shot, and edited with obvious enthusiasm. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include 16 minutes of deleted scenes—including dance segments—with optional commentary, a 13-minute “Through Fresh Eyes” making-of featurette, featurettes on “Outlaws of Hip Hop—Meet the 410” (5 min.) and the “Robert Hoffman Video Prank” by the costar (2 min.), music videos “Low” by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain, “Ching-A-Ling/Shake Your Pom Pom” by Missy Elliott, “Killa” by Cherish featuring Yung Joc, “Hypnotized” by Piles featuring Akon, “Let it Go” by Brit & Alex, and “Is It You” by Cassie (featuring outtakes), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an energetic but formulaic sequel.] (E. Hulse)
Step Up 2 the Streets
Buena Vista, 98 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $34.99, July 15 Volume 23, Issue 4
Step Up 2 the Streets
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