 KSL Movie Show Review:...
HOW SHE MOVE **1/2 By Steve Salles Standard Examiner movie critic GO: if you want to see a positive film with some great dancing. DON’T GO: if you were expecting a riveting story to go along with that. I’m never happy with the use of “street speak” in titles. It makes me wonder what the rest of the movie’s going to be like if they can’t get the first three introductory words right (geez, I sound like Andy Rooney). But I understand. This is not a movie made for me. Regardless, I can still appreciate the athletic dance routines that make up the phenomenon of “Step,” while cringing at the slow dismantling of the English language. Rest assured, this is not a race thing, but a generational issue. Ever see what your kids are texting to each other? Letters are quickly replacing entire words - and that’s not LOL. Back to the movie. Michelle (Tre Armstrong) is trying to break out of the tough life she and her family have faced so far. Her older sister has recently passed from a drug overdose and her Jamaican-born parents have run out of money to keep Michelle in private school. She’s a brilliant student and loves learning, but must now return to her former high school, where she’s looked on as “holier than thou” by the teens in her neighborhood. It won’t be easy to go back, but she’s determined to make enough money to get to college and perhaps go into medicine. She sees a bunch of old friends working on step routines in a nearby auto repair shop after hours. And by the way, I don’t think the customers are going to be too happy when they pick up their cars to discover the roofs and hoods have been stomped in. In fact, every time the dancers would jump on a car, it was hard for me to get that out of my mind and concentrate on their moves. But eventually she works her way onto an all guy “crew” even though mixed gender teams are apparently not done. All this is leading up to a big “Stomp Monster” competition in Detroit where real cash prizes will be handed out, but Michelle doesn’t dare tell her parents for fear they won’t let her go. So you have this talented young lady who lies to her parents and alienates her friends in an effort to get an education, and you come away with mixed feelings. On the one hand, you applaud her strength of conviction, but can’t get on board with all the sneaking around. Ultimately, her full understanding that “knowledge is power” won me over and I came away somewhat encouraged for the future of our young people. At least they were dancing instead of doing drugs. So despite, the dismantling of the English language, I thought “How She Move” had some gr8 moments and was not a WOMBAT (Waste Of Money, Brains And Time). RUUP4IT? THE FILM: “How She Move” OUR RATING: **1/2 STARRING: Tre Armstrong, Boyd Banks, Cle Bennett, Conrad Coates, Keyshia Cole and DeRay Davis BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid (“Touch of Pink” “Stag”) - filmed in Hamilton and Toronto, Canada PLAYING: Running time: 98 minutes MPAA RATING: PG-13 movies at a glance: HOW SHE MOVE **1/2 (PG-13) some drug content, suggestive material and language. The story isn’t exactly multilayered and full of twists and turns, but it is about a young woman who is determined to go to college and get ahead in life. She hopes to get money to pay for it by exploring her “step” capabilities. The routines and her determination are the reason to see this movie. It’s nice to see a teen film with a positive message for a change. Doug's Review In the new film, “How She Move,” Tre Armstrong stars as Michelle, a young woman determined to escape the hood by focusing on her education. When family resources are finally exhausted after a losing battle combating her sister’s addictions, the family can no longer afford to send Michelle to a better school and she ends up back in the old neighborhood. Far from giving up, her focus turns to excelling and winning scholarships. Realizing that a plan “B” may be necessary, she sees an opportunity to make some money in a high profile step dancing competition. Problem is, the real money is not in the women’s competition…the big bucks are awarded to the men. Not deterred, Michelle convinces an all male team that she can not only measure up, but could actually give them the edge. Is it formulaic, yes….predictable, yes, but despite the fact we’ve seen this story so many times before, “How She Move” is still charming. Armstrong really delivers with a relatable, even understated performance and the dance sequences are terrific. It’s not a great film but I enjoyed “How She Move” and am giving it 2 ½ stars….rated PG-13.
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Doug