“Step Up 2: The Streets” is the follow up to “Step Up,” which hit theaters in 2006.

The film follows Andie West, played by Briana Evigan, a hot, young dancer known for her creative moves and fiery spirit. Andie lives in the b-boy world, a hip-hop culture centered around break dancing. After her mother’s death, Andie starts getting into trouble and eventually she is forced to either go to school or live with a relative away from Baltimore’s streets.

A fish out of water, she finds herself studying dance at the prestigious Maryland School of the Arts where perfect technique is preferred over passion. Andie meets heartthrob and rebel dancer Chase Collins, played by Robert Hoffman, who shares the same passion of expression through the freedom of movement. Chase’s brother, Blake Collins, played by Will Kemp, is the school’s director. Fearing the street dancing will ruin his school’s budding reputation, Blake holds fast to tradition and technique. Andie and Chase form a dance crew of their own made up of the school’s outcasts. The crew competes against Andie’s previous dance group, the infamous 410 crew.

“Step Up 2 The Streets” isn’t very different when it comes to the genre of dance films. “Save the Last Dance,” “How She Move,” and “Step Up” all have very common themes — it’s just the dance moves that seem to vary. The plot was very predictable and the dialogue for the most part was flat.

Briana Evigan wasn’t believable as a breaker. Apparently wearing one of the legs of your sweatpants higher than the other translates that you’re from “the streets.” The strongest characters were played by the supporting actors. Adam G. Sevani played Moose — a scrawny but lovable guy who, much to everyone’s surprise, turns out to have all the smooth moves. Sevani adds a lot of the humor to the film, allowing audiences not to take the dialogue too seriously. Danielle Polanco plays Missy, a vivacious dancer who brings her Latin flare into her acting and dancing. Compared to Polanco’s spicy routines, Evigan seems pretty stiff which, makes me wonder why she was cast as the leading lady.

This film was not without many high points. The music was great and the most entertaining part about this film was the dance sequences. If you like to watch dance then you will like this film. Despite the film’s many flaws, the dancing was incredible. “Step Up 2: The Streets” doesn’t necessarily showcase talented actors, but this film does boast many talented dancers.

Adina Zerwig can be reached at [email protected]