Dancing, not acting, makes “3D” fun to watch

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I’m not the biggest fan of 3D, but I think it works rather effectively in “Step Up 3D.” Courtesy photo

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August 10, 2010

Sean McBride The Port Arthur News The Port Arthur News Tue Aug 10, 2010, 04:23 PM CDT

I find myself a bit conflicted over “Step Up 3D.” The film is a lot of fun to watch, but it also suffers from some pretty awful acting and only the barest whiff of a plot. Then again, the dancing is terrific. That alone justifies your ticket price, but the film works only for those who can dismiss all the other mediocre to poor elements that overwhelm the movie anytime the music stops.

This is the third installment in the street dancing franchise, and since the plot is so inconsequential, suffice it to say that it’s the story of street dance teams preparing for World Jam, the competition where gangs of dancers meet to prove their hip hop skills. That’s really all you need to know, other than the fact that there’s some mild, PG-13 romance here and there, made notable mostly because the film can be seen in 3D.

I’m not the biggest fan of 3D, but I think it works rather effectively in “Step Up 3D.” There’s something cool about watching the dancers strut to center-stage to perform, limbs popping in 3D all around you. Of course, there’s something cool in just watching this amazing collection of dancers strut their stuff, whether it be in 3D or 2D.

The dance moves are an energetic mix of hip hop and parkour street athletics; old school break dancing married with modern fashions and the latest club steps. It’s all infused with youthful energy and a visual style that provides the audience with ample time to sit back and enjoy the show. “Step Up 3D” is a visual feast.

It’s too bad that the dancers spent all their time in dance class, skipping the acting exercises in order to hone their hip hop skills. It would have been nice to have at least one actor who didn’t evoke winces whenever he opened his mouth. Then again, nobody’s coming to “Step Up 3D” hoping to discover the next Academy Award winner. The film is all about the dancing, and the dancing is simply spectacular. I can’t call “Step Up 3D” a good film, but it’s so infectiously appealing that I can heartily recommend that you break out your dancing shoes and take a fun-filled trip to your local cineplex.

Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published bi-weekly in “The Port Arthur News” and weekly on KFDM-TV. Sean welcomes your comments via email at smcbride@kbcitv.com.

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