One thing permeates above all else throughout our Step Up Revolution review: Mob rules! The Miami-set film continues the franchise’s modus operandi for delivering dance with a dose of cultural thoughtfulness.
As seen in the first three minutes of Step Up Revolution, the flash mob is the means to a societal changing end this time out.
Ryan Guzman is Sean, a waiter at a luxury beachfront hotel by day, and The Mob’s -- his dance ensemble -- co-captain every other minute of the day. He and his dance crew have successfully avoided arrest while staging some of the most extraordinary routines across South Florida. When he meets Kathryn McCormick’s Emily, not only is his heart intrigued, but Sean sees something in Emily as a dancer than can push his flash mob over the top.
Meanwhile, the location of their rehearsal space and the watering hole where they all meet is being threatened. A local developer (Peter Gallagher, at his slimy best) is seeking to level the entire area and build a luxury property.
The crew decides to take the focus of their dance extravaganzas to a more pointed political turn. The result is a series of mind-blowing flash mob experiences for the audience, with each topping the last.
These dance numbers are when Step Up Revolution is at its best. The film is flimsy on its political message, but when they start moving, it is unlike anything you’ve seen before onscreen with a group of dancers. But, that is why we go to the Step Up movies -- it’s all about the great moves, hot music and wild fun. In that capacity, Step Up Revolution succeeds.
But between the toe-tapping majesty, the film is held together by a string. Then again, as we said before, that is not why people line up to see Step Up. The reason to witness this film on the big screen, as seen in the Step Up Revolution poster, is the dance routines that will honestly leave you breathless. To think about the planning, talent and tenaciousness that went into staging these numbers, it is simply mind-blowing.