Considering the success of TV reality shows "Dancing With the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance," not to mention the worldwide box office clout of 2006's "Step Up" (more than $110 million -- nearly 10 times its production budget ) and 2008's "Step Up 2 The Streets" (which decreased a smidgeon from its predecessor domestically but dramatically increased its international figures), it's no surprise that we now have "Step Up 3."
Formerly known as "Step Up 3D" for, well, being shot and shown mostly in that money-making visual format (more on that in a moment), the film follows in its cinematic relatives' dancing footprints and shoes in providing fun dance numbers but also mediocre to melodramatic storylines, acting and such. I don't recall the ratio of drama to dancing in the first two films, but this one seems to have figured out the latter is more entertaining than the former and thus delivers far more entertaining sequences (including a bit of modified homage to the glory days of song and dance flicks in one) than its predecessors.
While still no great shakes overall, I found it more palatable and enjoyable than the first two films, even if it similarly nearly grinds to a halt whenever the fleet-footed dancers and their moves take a breather. The plot -- or what barely qualifies as that -- brings together two supporting characters from the previous installments -- Adam G. Sevani's Moose and Alyson Stoner's Camille -- and positions them as fresh-faced freshmen students at NYU.
While both were dancers in high school, he's given that up to study engineering. Yet, before you can say "When's the dancing going to start?" it does, as Moose is accidentally thrown into an impromptu dance-off where he draws the eye of Rick Malambri's Luke.
If you're guessing he plays a sort of Fagin-style character (that's an "Oliver Twist" reference for those whose bells aren't rung by the name) who sees dollar signs in the boy and takes him into his fold of other such kids, you'd be partially correct. Yet, he doesn't want the money for himself and isn't an old thief quite senior to his street kids. Instead he's just a few years older and needs the moola to save his late parents' dance warehouse where he trains and lives with an eclectic group of like-minded performers (the only notable ones, outside of the dancing acrobatics from everyone, are the comic relief Santiago twins played by Martin and Facundo Lombard).
Not surprisingly, he has a rival (a barely personified or even used Joe Slaughter) who wants to get his hands on the place, while the protagonist is interested in getting his paws on his other new find, pretty girl Natalie (played by Sharni Vinson in an uneven but at times alluring performance). Equally less than surprising, Moose finds himself conflicted between hanging out with his new friends and doing his school work, all of which means he has ever-decreasing time for Camille. Their friendship is threatened, there's a "big" revelation about to hit the group, and a lot of dancing (competitive and otherwise) occurs in and around all of the drama and ever-increasing melodrama.
Returning director John Chu -- working from a barely there screenplay by Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer -- continues to have problems creating compelling, engaging or even believable drama with the material. But the dance moves and numbers, as mentioned before, are significantly improved, fairly enjoyable, and sometimes, yes, even a bit magical in their own right. The 3D is really just an added gimmick, but then again when has that not been the case?
This time around, however, at least the film was shot (rather than retrofitted) in that format, and the resultant picture is still fairly bright and crisp (compared to other such films that look dull and de-saturated when viewed through the requisite specs). There are still the usual cheap effect shots (where any number of things, including the dancers themselves, come out of the screen toward you), but they end up being somewhat infectiously fun when presented with the equally entertaining dance bits.
If you didn't care for the first two films, this one isn't likely going to change your opinion or suddenly covert you. But if you're a fan, or just like watching amazing dance material, you could do far worse. As was the case with the past versions, it's too bad the directing, writing and performing of the surrounding drama isn't as fun or entertaining, but when this film kicks into high gear, it's something of a blast to watch. "Step Up 3" rates as a 5 out of 10 simply for being some escapist fun.
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