Herald rating: * * *
Verdict: Predictable but feel-good dance flick
Aimed at the MTV generation and dance fans, Stomp the Yard has everything you'd expect from a college dance drama: some stonkin' moves, full-on beats, a troubled but talented youth called DJ (Short) who has the chance of a new beginning, and a gorgeous girl, April (Goode) who
is way out of his league.
It also has some cheesy "motivational speech" sounding dialogue and soap opera moments but, thanks to a high quota of eye candy and rousing dance routines, these faults can be overlooked in the name of light entertainment.
DJ is a man in mourning. After his brother is killed in a gang fight in LA, he is sent to Atlanta's prestigious and historically black Truth University, where he keeps to himself until he comes across the world of stepping. Stepping is a traditional form of African dance that combines precise choreographed movements, rhythms created by slapping the body and stomping the feet, and vocal chants. While visually impressive, its contemporary version looks like a cross between breakdancing and cheerleading.
At Truth University, stepping is a competitive game, and when DJ shows off his dance moves at a nightclub, he suddenly finds himself courted by two of the top fraternities on campus. Initially not interested, DJ changes his mind when he sets his eyes on April, the girlfriend of a rival stepper. He becomes a frat boy, only to discover being part of a brotherhood is a lot tougher than he imagined.
So enough of the predictable underdog-makes-good story, and back to the dancing. As in music videos, the routines have been cut to keep the audience engaged. Director Sylvain White (I Know What You Did Last Summer) occasionally goes too far with jittery camera work and colour effects that make it difficult to see the moves.
However, most of the time, the dancing is combined well with the music. And you can't help but anticipate the performances by the time the teams get to the national champs - even if you know who's going to win.
Cast: Columbus Short, Brian J. White, Meagan Good
Director: Sylvain White
Running time: 114 mins
Rating: M, contains medium level violence
Screening: SkyCity, Hoyts and Berkeley
