Step Up: All In

Sean Asa comes together with Moose and Andie in glittering Las Vegas, as they battle for a victory that would redefine their dreams and future

Fast, flash and fantastic Much of the dancing is almost magical, so don’t be surprised if you feel your heart beating fast — **Fast, flash and fantastic**
Much of the dancing is almost magical, so don’t be surprised if you feel your heart beating fast

Miami street dancer Sean Asa (played by Ryan Guzman) moves to Hollywood with visions of fame and fortune, only to discover the almost insurmountable odds of making it in the professional dance world.

Still, Sean has his eye on a big prize: “The Vortex”, a high stakes reality television series that pits the best dance crews against one another. The winner will receive a three-year contract in a top Las Vegas venue, no less.

Together, he and Moose (played by Adam Sevani) form a new dance crew, including the beautiful and headstrong Andie West (Briana Evigan of Step Up 2 and Sorority Row).

Finally, the group LMNTRIX reaches the final round of the competition…

All-Star Reunion

Dance cliche? One can’t help but feel that, at times, the dressing, moves and story seem too familiar — **Dance cliche?**
One can’t help but feel that, at times, the dressing, moves and story seem too familiar

In Step Up: All In, fans will undoubtedly be delighted to welcome their favourite characters back (apart from the much-missed Channing Tatum). Director Trish Sie and the producers took their cue on casting from the movie’s significant social media presence, allowing familiarity to draw more fans.

This sequel sees well-loved participants from previous instalments putting on their dance shoes once again for the big screen. Expect nothing short of a righteous, raucous dance battle.

Sean and Andie were from previous movies, as was Moose, a more important character this time around. You’ll also spot tomboy Jenny and Eddy as the leader of tWitch, among other new additions.

An Extraordinary Dance Juggernaut

They’re all gonna bring it for the biggest reunion and dance battle yet

Step Up: All In uses a predictable yet surprisingly durable plot. Expect dancers with big dreams, an intense competition and a few romantic sparks between Sean and Andie.

By now, we can safely say one doesn’t catch a Step Up movie for a deep plot or Oscar-worthy performances. We go for the spectacular dance moves, which is undeniably the bedrock of the world of Step Up. The director assures that eager dance fans will not be disappointed.

In this latest instalment, the dance moves will continue to dazzle the stage with their adrenaline-charged energy and awe-inspiring scope. Sie and three dance choreographers push the boundaries to deliver gravity-defying, acrobatic extravaganzas, including bold experiments with wind, sand and fire elements.

Flimsy Characterizations?

Smooth criminals Some moves will please with slickness and some will stop hearts with danger — **Smooth criminals**
Some moves will please with slickness and some will stop hearts with danger

As they work hard to win the intense competition, Adam struggles to turn LMNTRIX into a dance competition force, Andie fights doubt as an old knee injury resurfaces, and Moose’s marriage is on the rocks. However, we’re somewhat bothered by the feeble attempt to sell the dramatic arcs.

The backstage stories such as internal strife in the crew and challenges to masculinity seem to be let down by banal dialogue and anaemic direction.

The storyline actually gets in the way of the inventive 3D dance scenes. Step Up: All In, just like the previous instalments, would really work better on stage.

Step Up: All In [PG 13]

DIRECTOR: Trish Sie
STARRING: Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Adam G. Sevani & Misha Gabriel
GENRE: Drama, Music, Romance
RUN LENGTH: 112 min
RELEASE: 4 Sep