I really enjoyed Drumline and even liked Step Up, so I eagerly took a look at this film. “Stomp the Yard” breaks ground with some strong steppin’/battlin’. That first battle scene is filled with some outstanding moves. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the camera’s moves. Maybe, I’m just too old – but what these talented young dancers/steppers do is worthy of slow concentrated camerawork. My girlfriend and I, who like to sit close to the screen, got up and moved to the back of the theater to alleviate some of the headache caused by the jerky camerawork.

Soon enough, the real story begins in “Fresh Prince fashion” with the inner city youth in the home of suburban Aunt and Uncle. He’s the new freshman at Truth College with that edgy talent the fraternity brothers want for their step teams. It’s a formula picture from the start. This is not a criticism. However, after the first act the production loses its edge. Columbus Short as DJ and the actor who plays the uncle are strong, but few others compel performance-wise. And the coincidence-ridden story goes soapy. And, unfortunately, though the filmmakers leave some juicy moves for the end, (at least for me) nothing outdoes the opening scene.

CAUTION: SPOILER in this paragraph. Read at your own risk. Lastly, there’s a pivotal provost progression that deflates the drama. I would have re-written that progression in one of these two ways: 1) The provost makes the offer, but then says "I was just testing to see if you’re legit.” But because he’s a Frat boy himself he’ll have to add, “You can stay and see April, but no competitive steppin’.” Or… 2) Uncle goes to bat for DJ. Big moving speech to the provost, “I brought him in here for my sister, I thought he’d be outta here in a week. But, I’ve got to tell you -- I’m impressed. I don’t know what it is about your school or your daughter, but you’ve turned this kid around. Would a school called “Truth” really want to crush him now? The provost counters, “But he didn’t tell the truth in the first place, and neither did you.” Uncle is resolute, “Then punish me.”

This film screened at a Krikorian Theatre.

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