Step It Up (film)

Step It Up (Film)
Director: Anne Fletcher
Release Date: August 11, 2006



Plot Summary: Tyler and his friends break into a performing arts school, and Tyler gets caught and has to perform 120 hours of community service at the school. Tyler an already skilled street dancer meets Nora a classically trained dancer. While he performs his janitor work, he watches her and her friends and when her partner is forced to drop out of the performance due to an injury, Tyler becomes her rehearsal partner for the big Exposition. He shares some of his dance moves with him and she teaches him ballet. Tyler and Nora get closer and she encourages him to try to apply to the performing arts school, but when he talks to the school director, she does not feel he is ready to commit to the school.
Then Nora’s partner returns briefly and she feels obligated to let her partner perform with her. Tyler is hurt by this and refuses her phone calls. Then after a great tragedy, Tyler realizes that he must make the effort himself and races to be in Nora’s exposition !!!!

Critical Analysis: Tyler's transition from a frustrated poor teen living with his foster parents to a boy working his way into a performing arts school is rapid, and seems a bit contrived. It is entertaining anyway and the dancing is impressive and the chemistry between Nora and Tyler is intense. In the movie one of the male characters tells Nora's friend that she should only date someone who truly understands what a wonderful girl she is. This is a great message for teen girls; that they should chose a boyfriend that respects them and values them.

Annotation: Tyler forced to do community service meets Nora, and begins to learn her dance routine for the big exposition. As they get to know one another Tyler learns the value of keeping his word and how to be supportive to Nora. For the first time in his life, Tyler has something he wants and he plans to work towards it!

Genre: Dance,

Age Level Interest: YA ages 14 and up

Curriculum: Dance
Selection: The movie is inspiring and exciting. The dancing is very good and Tyler's character Fae's his ambitions straight on. He is respectful and so is his friend. Tyler is a positive male role model and for boys especially he conveys the need to be polite, ambitions, and to diligent when facing adversity.