Stomp the Yard

I know. The idea is not really original, but yet i have to admit the characters and the acting is not bad. The moves are pretty good, too. What i really did not like was the plot points. Everything was so obvious. Especially in the end. I knew exactly what was going to happen. Yet a gread show

I actually enjoyed the leading actor very much.

I've seen Street Style and Step up. Whereby i think Stomp the Yard cannot keep up with Step up, it is definitely betther than Street Style.

• 2 stars because it is not a genuine idea - 1 star because the plot points a very easy to foresee - 1 Star for bad dialogue sometimes

... which leaves 6 out of 10 for an enjoyable movie. If you like the genre, go see it.

Let me say right up front that my husband and I are White and around 50, and we really liked this film: my motivation for writing this review is to get other people to see it! Predictable but engaging, and very watchable: I needed to use the restroom but didn't want to miss anything(!), because the dance/step moves are so great. Lead Columbus Short (as DJ) is new to us, but he's nice-looking and charismatic, and definitely keeps your attention. On the whole, the film reminded us a lot of "Drumline," which we enjoyed too--both share a similar plot line and coming-of-age challenges. Anyone who likes dance films, even martial arts, should catch this one--you'll marvel at the athleticism and synchronicity of the moves, enjoy the posturing and confrontations, and buy into DJ's story. Ultimately, we cared about what happens to him, and the film kept our interest all the way through. Good for all ages in general, with some very attractive actors and good music...!

STOMP THE YARD comes as a pleasant surprise to those of us who have yet to be introduced to 'stepping' - a sport/dance form that is not break dancing, not hip-hop, not modern dance, not clogging, not ballet, but instead is an exhilarating display of rhythm, physical dexterity, and creative choreography that makes this little film well worth watching.

The story is minimal and hackneyed and serves basically as an outline for the dance performances. DJ (the enormously talented dancer/actor Columbus Short) is sent from Los Angeles to Atlanta's Truth University after his conviction for street brawling, a fight in which his brother (Chris Brown) was killed. Once on campus DJ is works for his uncle as a gardener and is soon courted for his step dance skills by two rival fraternities. One fraternity gains DJ's attention and he pledges. Of course there is the requisite love conflict (the beautiful Meagan Good as April), who just happens to be the girlfriend of the rival fraternity step leader (Darrin Henson), and the usual undercurrent of familial dichotomies between DJ's humble background and April's influential father bring the tension to the front: the result is DJ's triumphant performance in the annual stepping competition between the two fraternities. The ending is predictable but sensitive and with a message.

The real star of the film is the magnificently choreographed and executed dancing, performed by the actual cast members. Director Sylvain White and his choreographers center their attention on the big sequences and the result is very fine entertainment. In addition to the gifted Columbus Short and Darrin Henson the cast includes such fine actor/dancers as Brian J. White, Ne-Yo, Laz Alonzo, Oliver Ryan Best, Richmond Duain Martyn, Justin Hires, and many others. It is difficult to resist the excitement of the commitment of this fine cast to the introduction of step dancing to the public at large. So much talent! Grady Harp

From the opening battle scene in Los Angeles to the heart-pumping wanna get up and cheer/dance nationals competition in the end, Stomp the Yard was, although somewhat cliché, a pretty impressive movie. The acting (which seeing a movie similar to this-You Got Served that had horrible acting) was better than expected. The step battles were a feast for the senses and really showcased the extreme talent of the competitors. With a plot line fairly similar to other leave one dangerous city to go to Atlanta and be successful movies, one would assume you would have nothing new to learn, which is mostly true, so avoid it if you have something against this genre. Other than that, if you are looking for a movie to surpass the typical crap that is released in January and don't mind a recycled plot (done a little better this time of course) see Stomp the Yard.

My friends and i rented this movie because there was nothing else and we thought it would be a good laugh to make fun of it. Although the facial expressions gave us that,it was also fairly good. The storyline was good and kept us interested. The acting was also good considering that most of them were musicians. Although it is a mix of you got served and drumline, it still brings something different to the table. It made us want to get up and dance. I would recommend this movie to anyone with an open mind who likes a good dance movie. I give this film a 7/10 and i plan on buying it on DVD. If you go in it with low expectations you'll most likely be pleasantly surprised.