Review of Step Up Revolution (2012) by Dg J — 03 Mar 2013

The film begins on Ocean Blv. in Miami, Florida. A flashmob, later identified as 'The Mob,' shuts down Ocean Blv. by cutting off the streets with retro convertibles and dancing to music blasted by DJ Penelope (Cleopatra Coleman). When their dance is over, the Mob hops into their cars and speeds away, leaving behind a spray-painted glass featuring the words 'THE MOB' by locally renounced street artist Mercury (Michael Langebeck), who never talks.

A few hours later, Sean (Ryan Guzman), Eddy (Misha Gabriel), and Jason (Stephen "tWitch" Boss), the leaders of the Mob, watch their latest flashmob air on the news in a restaurant kitchen where they work. A few complain about their public disturbance, while others praise it. After they get off work, they sneak into the Dimont Hotel's beach club (where they work), claiming to be guests, not employees.

Meanwhile, across the club at the bar, Emily (Kathryn McCormick) tries to get the waiter's attention, but ends up preparing her own beer. Sean, who is immediately smitten by her, asks for a beer. Emily instead heads down to the beach to dance, resulting in a dance battle between the two, but ending when Emily suddenly runs off, mirroring Cinderella.

The next day, Emily and her dad Bill Anderson (Peter Gallagher) argue over breakfast at the Dimont Hotel. Sean, their waiter, immediately recognizes her, but Emily spills her orange juice in an attempt to distract Sean. In an angry fit, Emily storms off, and Sean immediately follows her into the hotel's ballroom, where Emily begins a fast contemporary dance, oblivious to Sean's presence. After, Emily explains to Sean that she's trying to nail an audition for the prestigious Winwood Dance Academy. Sean advises her to incorporate faster, more interesting moves, but Emily declines, saying that there are rules. Sean, in turn, tells her to break the rules, giving her an address and telling her to come there. Emily does and finds herself at the Miami Museum of Fine Arts, where the paintings and statues come to life, which is work of the Mob. By telling her to attend, Sean basically reveals to her his participation in the Mob.

The next day, Emily persuades Sean to let her take part in their next Mob, which is scheduled to hit a restaurant the following week. Eddy immediately dislikes Emily, giving her the lead to test her. The flashmob goes well and Eddy admits that Emily did great. Emily and Sean then sneak onto a boat Sean had reserved for himself to sail down the river. There, they kiss and sleep on the boat until morning, when they hurry back to Sean's uncle's bar, Ricky's. Ricky reveals to them that Emily's dad, a building tycoon, is planning to develop the slums, destroying Ricky's bar, Sean's home, and many other things.