Step Up (film)

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Step Up

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Anne Fletcher
Produced by Jennifer Gibgot
Adam Shankman
Patrick Wachsberger
Written by Duane Adler
Melissa Rosenberg
Starring Channing Tatum
Jenna Dewan
Mario
Drew Sidora
Alyson Stoner
Rachel Griffiths
Music by Aaron Zigman
Cinematography Michael Seresin
Editing by Nancy Richardson
Distributed by Touchstone Pictures (USA)
UIP (UK, France, Switzerland)
Release date(s) August 19, 2006
Running time 98 min
Country Flag of the United States United States Of America
Language English
Budget $12 million
Gross revenue $114,191,952
Followed by Step Up 2 the Streets (2008)
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Step Up is a 2006 dance/romance film directed by Anne Fletcher starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.

The film follows the tale of the disadvantaged Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum) and the privileged modern dancer Nora Clark (Jenna Dewan), who find themselves paired up in a showcase that determines both of their futures. Realizing that they only have one chance, they finally work together.

A sequel to the film, titled Step Up 2 the Streets, was released on February 14, 2008.

Contents

[edit] Plot

The plot was produced by the production company Elite Pictures based in Europe. Following a party, Mac (Damaine Radcliff), Skinny Carter (De'Shawn Washington) and their friend Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum) break into the Maryland School of Arts and damage many of the props in the school's theatre. When a security guard appears, Tyler helps the other two escape and accepts the blame. He is sentenced to 200 hours of community service, which he has to serve at the school. While working, he watches a dance class and meets Nora Clark (Jenna Dewan), a student preparing for her "senior showcase." The performance could determine if she gets a job with a dance company. Later, Tyler mockingly shows his friends some of the dance moves he learned while watching the school's ballet dancers, mixing them with break-dance and street dance moves.

Nora's dance partner sprains his ankle, leaving Nora without a partner. After auditioning some other students, she doesn't meet any who are good enough. Tyler offers to help, but she at first refuses. Eventually she changes her mind, having seen him dancing earlier, and convinces Director Gordon (Rachel Griffiths) to allow Tyler to rehearse with her. During their initial practice session, Tyler is antagonistic toward Nora as well as her boyfriend, both of whom respond with haughty attitudes. As they continue to rehearse, Nora and Tyler grow closer, each teaching the other about their respective styles of dance. Tyler also befriends a musician at the school named Miles, who has a crush on Nora's friend Lucy.

One day, Nora takes Tyler to a special spot on the waterfront, which is where she envisioned her routine. She tells Tyler she always imagined it would be with a large group, and Tyler helps her dream come true by recruiting younger dancers from the school to perform in her number.

Nora's boyfriend gets a recording deal with a company, but in doing so, dumps Miles to sign the deal. Nora then breaks up with her boyfriend after seeing his poor treatment of their friend.

Tyler asks Director Gordon if she will let him attend the school, and her response is that he must prove to her that he deserves a chance. Upon hearing this, Nora says the showcase can be his audition. Nora's dance partner returns, seemingly healed from his injury. Tyler feels that he is no longer needed in the routine, and angrily accuses Nora of treating him the same way her ex-boyfriend treated Miles. He leaves the group and Nora and goes back to janitorial work at the school.

Later on, Tyler's friend Skinny, who is also Mac's brother, is fatally shot after stealing a car, prompting Mac and Tyler to realize that they need to make better choices in their lives.

Nora again loses her partner because he is not able to do the routine that Nora and Tyler came up with together. Nora finally decides to do her senior showcase solo. However, without a partner, the routine is not as good and she knows she will not be able to get accepted into any dance troupes. Before the showcase starts, Tyler arrives, and after making up they perform the showcase together. Nora is offered a place in a professional dance troupe, and Tyler is accepted into the Maryland School of Arts. After they kiss and make up.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Box office and reaction

Las Vegas Weekly's Josh Bell gave Step Up one and a half stars, calling the dancing "bland" and saying that "Tatum and Dewan have no chemistry while dancing or making out (not to mention whenever they're unfortunate enough to have to speak)."[1]

As of August 23, 2006, the film had an average score of 48 out of 100 on Metacritic, signifying "mixed or average reviews"; its highest score was 75 (from both Entertainment Weekly and the Boston Globe), and its lowest was a 25 from the San Francisco Chronicle.

However, despite many bad reviews from critics, Step Up earned a total of $21 million in its opening weekend, ranking second in the North American box office and exceeding the film's budget of $12 million. As of October 19, 2006 the day it closed, it had earned $65,328,121 in the United States and Canada.

The DVD for Step Up was released on December 19, 2006.

Family Guy did a cutaway gag about the film, wherein Peter Griffin took his daughter Meg to the the movie I'm Rich and You're Poor, But Let's Dance Together.

[edit] Soundtrack

Main article: Step Up (soundtrack)

The soundtrack features music from Mario, Ciara, Drew Sidora, Kelis, Chris Brown, Yung Joc, Blaire Reinhard, and Chamillionaire. The lead singles from the soundtrack are Sean Paul & Keyshia Cole's "Give It Up To Me" Remix and Ciara single, "Get Up" featuring Chamillionaire. It was released August 8. Other tracks include Kelis' "80s Joint", Anthony Hamilton's "Dear Life", Youngbloodz's "Imma Shine" and Petey Pablo's "Show Me Tha Money". The title track is performed by newcomer Samantha Jade and produced by Wyclef Jean.

[edit] Sequels

The sequel, Step Up 2 the Streets, was released February 14, 2008.It was produced by Gianni Oconnor at Elite pictures. It stars Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman and Cassie and directed by Jon M. Chu. The sequel was a huge hit, ended up grossing $57 million, a little short from its predecessor.

One week after the release of Step Up 2, due to a $20+ million opening take, Disney announced productions plans for Step Up 3-D released in 2010. Although no cast has been announced, Jon M. Chu will reprise his duties as director of the film.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Las Vegas Weekly

[edit] External links