StreetDance 2 (PG) | Close-Up Film DVD Review

Dir. Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini,UK, 2012, 85 mins, English

Cast. George Sampson, Falk Hentschel, Sofia Boutella, Tom Conti

Review by Michelle Moore

StreetDance came about in a time when the world was going nuts over this style of dancing. Crews such as Diversity, Flawless and also solo performer George Sampson, all of which found fame from Britain’s Got Talent, were causing mayhem wherever they went. Two years after this British dance flick made street dance a passion for so many youngsters, a sequel is ready to be set upon the world and what a sequel it is.

The movie revolves around Ash (Hentschel), a street dancer who humiliates himself in front of the crew Invincible but goes on to create a street dance crew with a difference with his manager Eddie (Sampson).

One of the most favourable elements of the story is its fast paced narrative, particularly the opening. The film kicks straight in with Ash literally falling on his butt, meeting with Eddie and agreeing to put together a crew for a dance competition and beat Invincible. As the opening credits roll the two dancers travel across Europe finding the best street dancers they can to build the ultimate crew, which is complete when they meet Eva (Boutella) in Paris. This quick succession of introductions and demonstrations of ability within the opening credits makes way for the remainder of the movie, focusing on the elements that count such as building relationships of crewmembers and creating a routine that will be memorable and unique.

The dance sequences present within this sequel are some of the most rapidly paced to look at, brilliantly choreographed while the actors dancing together appear connected as they are performing. The dance battle between Ash’s crew and Invincible is the concluding sequence and alongside the music, you cannot help but be mesmerised by this movie.

There are several moments in StreetDance 2 that bring on memories of Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights. For example the methods of teaching Ash some Latin moves or the fusing together of two very different styles of dancing, Latin and ballroom in Dirty Dancing and Latin and street dance (with a little tango) in this instance. When it comes to the Latin style, things get a little raunchy, sexy with some close contact-dancing present, so for youngsters this physical contact may be a little too provocative and passionate. As the actors participate in some very passionate dancing, they demonstrate so much determination, showing real effort and practice has been placed into making the dance scenes as remarkable as possible.

StreetDance 2 is a lively and fast paced movie that will leave you bursting with enthusiasm and energy with its dance moves.