PLOT: A documentary about kids in South Central who have found an alternative to gang life -- in dance. The dance scenes are stunning, to say the least.

Rize is a dance documentary unlike anything else out there -- the movie begins with a note that none of the dance footage has been sped up. Yikes.

Set in the tough neighbourhood of South Central Los Angeles, Rize makes reference to the riots in that city in 1965 and in 1992, then quickly moves into present time to introduce Tommy's Academy and the idea of "Clowning" as an alternative to being part of a gang.

Tommy the Clown -- Tommy Johnson -- is a local hero who created a dance style and a lifestyle. He and his Clowns do indeed "clown around" at local birthday parties, but it's their dance routines that it's really all about. In Clowning, these kids and young adults have dance, work, surrogate family and a positive outlet for their lives.

Clowning evolved; Krumping was one result. The dances -- which are angry, muscular and balletic at the same time -- are described as "Like fighting, but they're not," and not fighting would be the point. The dancers in Rize live in an area distinguished by gang warfare, poverty and drug addiction. It's made obvious that dance is expression born of oppression.

Clowners and Krumpers use face paint and costume, and footage of African tribal rituals is used in Rize to suggest the roots of the contemporary dance moves.

Clowners and Krumpers also compete with one another. Rival gangs of dancers meet at Battle Zone, an eye-popping dance event held monthly at a local dance studio. The film includes footage of the 2003 Battle Zone held at the L.A. Forum, a sold-out event.

Rize introduces several dancers: Lil' C, Tight Eyez, Baby Tight Eyez, Miss Prissy, and Dragon, among others. Almost everyone who dances has had something major to rise above, and the dancers talk about the death and violence they have witnessed. The guy who runs the casket store in their neighbourhood is as familiar on the local scene as the convenience store owner might be.

Dragon's mother depicts his dancing as "Krumping for Christ." Several of the kids are filmed dancing at their local church. According to Rize, the arts and faith seem to be two strong weapons against getting on the wrong path.

The dance segments in Rize are almost impossible to describe and utterly exhilarating to watch. They are also worth the price of admission.

Filmmaker David LaChapelle is best known as a photographer and music video director and Rize has some amateurish patches, but the dancing is such that all is forgiven.

Rize is part historical document, part social commentary, part guided tour through a tough neighbourhood. It's also a super-adrenalized tribute to the transformative power of art.

(This film is rated PG)
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