Energetic dance routines interrupted now and then by unlikely dialogue and wooden acting: Welcome to StreetDance 2. The movie is all about competition, romance and creating a new dance style that combines urban energy and Latin moves; it's a sequel of sorts to the 2010 movie StreetDance, which was all about competition, romance and creating a new dance style that combines urban energy and classical ballet. Is there an echo in here?
StreetDance 2 stars Falk Hentschel as Jay, an accomplished dancer looking for a new crew. He gets humiliated at a dance-off by a group called Invincible, and to get his own back, Ash sets out to put together the best street dancers in the world. That means that StreetDance 2 starts with a sort of tourism video, as Ash travels the globe watching dancers and choosing the best, all at warp speed.
He soon encounters Eddie (George Sampson), a link to the first film, and before you know it, Ash is in Paris for the big competition with a great new dance team. Dancing! Dancing! Dancing!
In Paris, he encounters Eva (Sofia Boutella), a sultry dancer whose work is influenced by salsa, tango and merengue. In a jiffy, Ash determines that he will combine street dance and Latin dance, and win everything with this unexpected new style. There are obstacles: First he has to encounter resistance from his dancers. Then he has to fall in love with Eva. After that, he has to impress her crotchety guardian (Tom Conti, believe it or not) and assure him that he has good intentions.
And then it's full speed ahead to that competition. Take that, Invincible!
We challenge you to sit through StreetDance 2, with your 3D glasses on and everything, and not once think of the Manuel Ortiz Show on Saturday Night Live.
