Step Up 3-D

Name: Step Up 3-D
Item: Step Up 3-D
Rating: 2
Author: Sandie Angulo Chen

Movie review by

Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 12+

(i)

Fun dance routines are best part of otherwise boring movie.

PG-13
2010
97 minutes

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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 21 reviews

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X of Y

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Positive Messages

Although ultimately the message is positive -- that people should follow their passion, whether it's dance, filmmaking, or engineering -- there are some mixed signals when Luke encourages Moose to blow off classes for the dance battles. The fact that Natalie lies about who she is for much of the movie is also a negative take-away for kids.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Luke is generous, offering dancers a place to stay when they have no where else to go, and Moose is an inspiration to stay true to your own gifts and talents. But the kids generally don't seem to do anything but dance and play. Natalie lies to everyone about who she is and why she's dancing with them. Of everyone, Camille is the best role model, because she actually pays attention to her school work and her friends.

Violence

The dance "battles" are aggressive but not necessarily violent, although they do lead to actual brawls between the dance crews one or two times. There's also some pushing and shoving between the crew leaders, but no blood or injuries.

Sex

A couple flirts for half of the movie, does a few sultry dance moves together (including an intimate tango), and kisses passionately a couple of times. Another couple kisses briefly in one scene. Several young women are dressed in tight or skin-baring clothes, and some of the choreography could be considered provocative.

Language

One use of "f--k," one "s--t," and one "bulls--t," as well as several insults like "loser," "ass," "jerk," and "stupid." Also "hell" and "oh my God."

Consumerism

In addition to the various Nike sneakers the dancers wear, brands are featured during the dance competitions, particularly Sprite. The friends play videogames on a PlayStation, which is also one of the sponsors of the competition.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

At a fancy party and in a dance club, there are people with cups in their hands, but it's not overt, and it's implied to be alcohol, rather than specifically confirmed.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the third installment in the Step Up franchise has some romance and some aggressive dance battles, but is overall an age-appropriate choice for younger teens. There's flirting, kissing, and at-times sexy dancing, but there's nothing truly risque, and the romance is tame by movie standards. One scene shows a violent club brawl, and all of the dance battles are aggressive and feature hostile dancers challenging each other. (And the 3-D makes the dance sequences all the more thrilling/intense.) Although the ultimate message is a positive one -- to follow your passion wherever it leads -- some of the characters make it seem like dancing is more important than attending college or pretty much any other responsibility.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written byjoshua martinez August 7, 2010

age 13+

Step Up 3-D is one of the best hip-hop movies ever this movie would surely entertain your teens the only issued was that there was a little bit of strong langua... Continue reading

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Teen, 14 years old Written bystepupfan March 17, 2011

age 11+

Perfect for 11+

Other than the ads when they are driving through NY City, there really isn't any other "product placement". This movie has really good dance rout... Continue reading

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Kid, 12 years old March 5, 2011

age 17+

blah blah blah

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What's the story?

When Moose (Adam G. Sevani) and his best friend, Camille (Alyson Stoner), arrive for their freshman year at New York University in downtown Manhattan, Moose follows a man with a cool pair of sneakers and ends up beating a popular street dancer in a battle. His surprising win earns the attention of Luke (Rick Malambri), who invites Moose to join his "Pirates" crew of dancers, who all practice and room together in an urban dance commune. Moose agrees and tries to juggle his college responsibilities with his new dance family, which also includes a slightly mysterious woman named Natalie (Sharni Vinson). The Pirates must win a series of dance competitions in order to raise enough money to save the nearly foreclosed building they call home.

Is it any good?

Let's start off with the dance moves, which are undeniably entertaining. Anyone who enjoys So You Think You Can Dance will love all of the 3-D-shot dance sequences, and all of the crews have amazing skills. But any time the movie's focus shifts from dancing to an actual story or dialogue, STEP UP 3-D flails under the pressure of laughable dialogue, predictable plot development, and obvious story holes. When Natalie tells Luke she's been in London for a few years, the natural follow-up should be "what were you doing there?" or "what brought you back home"; instead, the subject is changed entirely. Later, when Natalie invites Luke to a party and it turns out to be a black-tie affair, Luke and Moose should immediately wonder why someone they thought had no family is hosting a rich-girl affair, but instead they suddenly decide to seal the caterers' black jackets.

Kids and dance lovers may be more forgiving audiences than those who don't care about thrilling tangoes or the allure of amazing sneakers. Romance-wise, Moose and Camille's relationship is more interesting -- albeit "best friends who fall in love" formulaic. Their story of boy-girl BFFs, coupled with Sevani and Stoner's charm, make that subplot satisfying. The rest of the dancer-actors were clearly hired for their dance skills rather their acting prospects.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the movie's message -- that it's possible to follow your dreams if you work hard enough. Do you think that's true?
For a good chunk of the movie, Luke wants to Moose to put dancing first. Is that a positive message?
Is Natalie and Julien's sibling relationship healthy? How is it portrayed?