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Parents' Guide to

Stomp the Yard

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Well-intentioned film steps up the melodrama.

Movie PG-13 2007 109 minutes
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Heavy-handed and well-intentioned, Stomp the Yard proposes that step groups (and similar organizations) provide structure and inspiration for students in need of guidance and a sense of belonging. It's a decidedly masculine melodrama. Not only does DJ contend with paternal disapprovals (his uncle thinks stepping is a waste of time, and April's dad warns him that "My daughter is not some shorty for you to mess with!"), but he must also come to terms with his own competitive hostility and Duran's death. At the same time, he has to come up with a killer step routine for the group. Luckily, DJ is inspired by Truth's amazing array of sorority and fraternity alumni, who are enshrined in Heritage Hall -- the list includes Esther Rolle, Hines Ward, Michael Jordan, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King, among others. Yes, it's a strained conceit, but Sylvain White's movie does well to remind all of us of these powerful embodiments of resistance, motivation, and "truth."

Movie Details

  • In theaters: January 11, 2007
  • On DVD or streaming: May 15, 2007
  • Cast: Columbus Short , Meagan Good , Ne-Yo
  • Director: Sylvain White
  • Inclusion Information: Black actors, Female actors, Latino actors, Multiracial actors, Asian actors
  • Studio: Screen Gems
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 109 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: a scene of violence, some sexual material and language.
  • Last updated: August 10, 2023

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