Movie Review: Stomp the Yard

'Stomp the Yard' is designed to keep your local multiplex screen flickering until something with more heft comes along.

More at home in the summer when young audiences rally to these “go-team-go” epics, ‘Stomp the Yard’ is slick and genial enough to keep audiences interested without breaking out of the ‘Hoosiers,’ ‘We are Marshall’ or ‘Rudy’ mold.Although the film follows the well-trod sports movie path it’s not about winning one for the gipper. It’s more about attitude, precision moves and a more visceral version of Michael Flatley’s stately Irish clog dancing. Apparently an old form of dance called “steppin’” is now the rage in black fraternities in American colleges. It combines what used to be called “eccentric dancing” with hip hop and break dancing. The rhythms are strong, generally generated by the pile driver sound of heavy boots, driving rapid hand gestures and extreme body movement. It is also distinguished by broad macho facial expressions that seem designed to strike fear in the opposition – somewhat reminiscent of African tribes in the bad old days of Hollywood safari movies.The in-your-face dance-offs are staged much like the aggressive rap showdowns of Eminem’s ‘8 Mile.’ The story is as mundane as Dave Scott’s choreography is rousing although by the end of the film your tolerance for the art form is severely tested.DJ (Columbus Short) is a Los Angeles street kid. When his brother is killed in a dance-off that turns lethal, DJ with the help of his mother, decamps for (the fictional) Truth College, an exclusive Atlanta African-American university. The college pursues steppin' with the passion the movies generally reserve for football. In no time, the sullen loner falls for a gorgeous co-ed (Meagan Good) and, after demonstrating his fleet footed street smarts, is head hunted by two of the top fraternities.After his brother’s death, he isn’t interested in dancing anymore but during a visit to the College’s museum, in a vaguely discomforting scene, he sees pictures of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. I’m not quite sure what black African pride has to do with the plot of this particular movie but DJ is so transported that he signs up with the underdog frat boys.Of course, his new friends are never going to win the big dance-off because they use old-fashioned techniques, but with DJ’s funky street moves they soon are taking on the long time champs in a huge auditorium full of screaming fans.

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MLK and Rosa ParksJan 15th, 2007 - 05:41:31

I might be wrong, but I believe MLK was a 'stepper.' Maybe even the 'Original Stepper.' Hence the inspiration. Rosa Parks probably was an inspiration b/c the lead char thought she was hot and wanted to impress her with his moves.

Man, what are they paying these reviewers for nowadays?

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Chris Brown LuverJan 24th, 2007 - 23:33:40

I think the movie was AWESOME!..of course i was crying when chris brown dies in the movie...but he didnt die in real life..my friends thought i was stupid to cry over something ridiculous...but my mom says that i had the right to cry cuz in the MOVIE..he DIES..and that is not a ridiculious reason to cry..i have met chris brown backstage....i was soo hapy that day. But yeah, i loved the movie..and also Ne-Yo did really good in it, aside from Chris bREEZY!!!

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meghaanJan 27th, 2007 - 23:48:05

i liked the movie but i almost cryed when chris brown died

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Hannah Hip hop 4everNov 6th, 2008 - 00:50:18

I thought the movie was awesome, well put together. I think everyone did an outstanding job and i hope they make more movies like Step Up & Stomp the Yard! I was over joyed to see that Chris Brown was in the movie. It made me want to see it more because i love listening to his music. I cant say i LOVE Chris Brown, because i don't know him is person, but i have to say he is pretty cool!!

My Fav part in the movie is all the hip hop, because i love it. Least would be Chris Browns death :(

God Bless

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