The world of dance movies is vast and varied, but few sequels have attempted to recapture the energy of the original while injecting a fresh, international flavor. Street Dance 2, the follow-up to the UK’s first entirely British 3D film, aimed to do just that. While the original Street Dance (2010) garnered attention for its technological achievements and overseas success, Street Dance 2 (2012) sought to amplify the moves and passion, promising audiences a vibrant, globe-trotting dance spectacle. Let’s delve into what makes Street Dance 2 a noteworthy entry in the street dance movies genre.
Plot and Premise: A Familiar Dance Movie Narrative
Like many dance movies, Street Dance 2 follows a classic underdog story. We are introduced to Ash, our protagonist, not as a dance superstar, but as a spectator at a dance battle. In a bold, albeit ill-fated, move, Ash challenges the leader of the formidable Invincible crew and suffers a humiliating defeat. This sets the stage for his journey of redemption.
Enter Eddie, the aspiring team manager, who sees potential in Ash’s raw talent and determination. Together, they embark on a mission to assemble a new dance crew capable of dethroning Invincible. This recruitment drive becomes a central plot device, taking them across Europe in search of unique dance talents. As Ash travels, he encounters Eva, a captivating dancer who becomes both his romantic interest and his dance partner, adding a layer of personal stakes to his quest.
The narrative arc is predictable, hitting familiar beats of overcoming adversity, finding love, and battling inner demons (in Ash’s case, performance anxiety). However, Street Dance 2 attempts to innovate by fusing street dance with Latin dance styles, particularly salsa and tango. This fusion becomes the film’s unique selling point, setting it apart from other street dance movies and injecting a dose of Latin heat into the predominantly hip-hop genre. While not entirely groundbreaking, this blend offers a fresh twist to the conventional dance movie formula.
Dance Prowess: Showcasing Talent and Energy
When it comes to showcasing dance, Street Dance 2 delivers in spades. The film is packed with numerous dance sequences, almost to the point of being overwhelming. While the sheer volume is impressive, the quality and impact of these scenes are what truly matter.
The film excels in highlighting the talents of its lead performers. Falk Hentschel, portraying Ash, while perhaps not the most naturally gifted dancer on screen, holds his own, especially considering he is surrounded by exceptional dancers. His background as a backup dancer for pop icons like Mariah Carey and Britney Spears lends him credibility, but it’s clear that Street Dance 2 aims to showcase a wider range of dance expertise.
Sofia Boutella, as Eva, steals the spotlight with her mesmerizing performances. Her character is primarily associated with Latin dance styles, but Boutella’s foundation in hip-hop and street dance is evident in her dynamic and powerful movements. Her real-world credentials, including being part of a Hip Hop World Championships winning group, solidify her as a genuine dance talent, elevating the film’s dance credibility. Interestingly, Boutella’s recognition extends beyond dance, as she has also been a prominent face for Nike Women, showcasing her athletic and artistic versatility.
Sofia Boutella Nike Ad
Dynamic Dance Scenes: Quantity Over Hair-Raising Quality?
Street Dance 2 boasts a high quantity of dance scenes, ranging from crew recruitment montages to intense battle sequences. Standout moments include a vibrant salsa dance in a boxing ring and a creatively staged pillow fight turned dance party. There’s even a nod to Jackie Chan’s drunken master style incorporated into one of the battles, showcasing a playful and eclectic approach to dance choreography.
Visually, the dance scenes are enhanced by stunning backdrops. Street Dance 2 leverages its European locations to full effect, providing picturesque settings for the dance sequences. The cinematography captures the energy of the performances against beautiful cityscapes and unique interiors, adding visual appeal to the dance numbers.
The core dance innovation of Street Dance 2 lies in the fusion of street dance and Latin styles. The scenes where Ash’s crew blends hip-hop with salsa and tango are where the film truly shines. These sequences are energetic, showcasing the contrasting yet complementary nature of these dance forms. The salsa battles, particularly the face-off against Team Salsa, are arguably the highlight of the movie’s dance content. Another notable dance sequence is the warm-up battle against The Surge crew, which provides thrilling and dynamic choreography.
However, despite the abundance of dance, the film occasionally falls short of delivering truly unforgettable, “hair-raising” moments. While the quantity is high, the overall impact of individual scenes can sometimes blend together, lacking the distinct punch that some viewers might expect from top-tier street dance movies. While there are cool moments and impressive choreography, the film might prioritize quantity of dance over consistently delivering groundbreaking, iconic dance sequences.
Romantic Subplot: A Weak Link
Romance is a common element in dance movies, but in Street Dance 2, the love story between Ash and Eva feels like a significant misstep. While some romantic elements can enhance the emotional stakes and character development, the relationship in Street Dance 2 comes across as forced and unconvincing.
The screen chemistry between Falk Hentschel and Sofia Boutella is noticeably lacking. Despite their dance partnership being central to the plot, their romantic interactions feel wooden and devoid of genuine connection. Even a visually interesting blindfold tango scene fails to ignite any real romantic spark between the characters. The film dedicates a considerable amount of screen time to developing this romance, but it ultimately detracts from the more compelling aspects of the movie, such as the dance and the crew dynamics.
Blindfold Tango Scene in Street Dance 2 Movies
The Sidekick Crew: Potential Unrealized
Street Dance 2 initially promises an ensemble cast with its “Ocean’s Eleven” style recruitment montage. Ash and Eddie’s European tour to gather dancers introduces a diverse and intriguing group of sidekick characters. Each dancer, hailing from a different European city, possesses a unique style and personality, hinted at during their brief introductions.
The crew includes Steph from Copenhagen, Tino from Ibiza, Skorpion from the Swiss Alps, Bam-Bam from Amsterdam, Killa & Junior from Berlin, Terrabyte from Prague, Ali from Lyon, and Yoyo & Legend from Rome. The diversity is notable, with a mix of backgrounds and styles, including the visually striking Bam-Bam, with a resemblance to Amy Winehouse, and a character wearing a t-shirt proudly stating, “I’m Muslim, Don’t Panic.” This emphasis on diversity is commendable and reflects a broader trend in contemporary media.
However, the film largely fails to capitalize on the potential of these side characters. Unlike films like Step Up with memorable sidekicks like Moose, the dancers in Street Dance 2 are relegated to the background. They have minimal dialogue and limited screen time to showcase their individual dance skills beyond the initial recruitment montage. While the montage itself is engaging and energetic, the lack of further development for these characters feels like a missed opportunity. It would have been enriching to see more individual dance showcases or deeper explorations of their personalities and backstories.
Despite their limited roles in the film’s narrative, the sidekick dancers are undeniably talented. Post-movie searches reveal a cast of skilled European dancers, many of whom may be unfamiliar to audiences outside of Europe. This international casting choice adds authenticity to the film’s premise of a pan-European dance crew.
Dialogue and Music: Areas for Improvement
The dialogue in Street Dance 2 leans heavily into clichés and cheesy lines, a common trait in many dance movies. While some level of melodrama is expected, the film occasionally crosses into overly sentimental and simplistic dialogue. Lines like, “Dancing with a partner is about sharing the moment,” and “People think tango is only about sex…but it’s really about channeling your passion,” exemplify the somewhat simplistic and at times unintentionally humorous dialogue.
Cheesy Dialogue Example in Street Dance 2 Movies
The music in Street Dance 2 is another area that falls short of expectations. While a dance movie heavily relies on its soundtrack to amplify the energy and emotion of the dance sequences, much of the music in Street Dance 2 is generic and unmemorable. Many dance scenes are set to generic dance beats or rock-influenced tracks that lack distinctiveness. The decision to use a fast remix of “We Will Rock You” for the finale feels particularly uninspired and cliché. The use of the classic track “Apache” at the beginning is a high point, but overall, the soundtrack fails to elevate the dance scenes to their full potential. Stronger, more original, and more memorable music could have significantly enhanced the impact of the dance sequences.
Fashion and Visuals: Standout Elements
Where Street Dance 2 truly excels is in its fashion and visual presentation. Continuing the trend from the first Street Dance movie, the sequel showcases a strong sense of style and visual flair. The costume design is a highlight, with each sidekick character sporting a unique and distinctive look. Bam-Bam’s style is particularly noteworthy, and Steph’s outfits are consistently fashionable. Eva’s costumes, while sometimes bordering on the exaggerated, contribute to her character’s visual identity. The overall fashion aesthetic of the film is contemporary and trendy, resembling the pages of a fast-fashion catalog.
Fashion in Street Dance 2 Movies
The cinematography and production design of Street Dance 2 are also commendable. The film effectively utilizes its European locations, showcasing iconic landmarks and visually appealing settings. Scenes like Ash and Eva’s romantic moments in front of the Eiffel Tower and dance practices in locations with stained glass windows are visually striking. The movie is undeniably aesthetically pleasing, making it a contender for one of the best-looking dance movies in terms of visual production. The final dance competition, held in a massive stadium seemingly filled with thousands of extras (or CGI), further enhances the scale and visual spectacle of the film. The production team clearly invested in locations, visuals, and costumes, contributing significantly to the film’s overall appeal.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
While Street Dance 2 may not have achieved the same box office success as its predecessor, it did generate some cultural buzz, albeit controversially. The film reportedly caused outrage within Algerian communities in France and Algeria due to Sofia Boutella’s performance being considered “excessively risqué” by Algerian cultural standards. This unexpected cultural reaction, leading to boycotts, suggests that the film did touch a nerve and have some level of cultural impact, even if unintended.
Despite mixed critical reception and moderate commercial success, Street Dance 2 led to another sequel, Street Dance: All Stars, released in 2013. However, All Stars appeared to be more of a parody or spin-off than a direct continuation of the main series. It is generally considered that the Street Dance movie series has likely concluded, with Street Dance 2 representing a middle-ground in terms of quality and impact within the franchise.
Miscellaneous Strengths: Visuals and Production Value
One of the standout aspects of Street Dance 2 is its high production value, particularly in terms of visuals and locations. The film is visually stunning, showcasing various European landmarks and beautiful settings. The effort to incorporate European locations into the narrative and visuals is evident and contributes to the film’s unique identity.
George Sampson, who plays Eddie, the team manager, brings some pre-existing fame to the project, having won Britain’s Got Talent at a young age. However, for international audiences, the cast is largely composed of relatively unknown faces, primarily chosen for their dance skills rather than mainstream acting recognition. The focus on visual appeal and dance talent over star power is a defining characteristic of the Street Dance movies. The grand scale of the final competition venue, whether achieved through extras or CGI, adds to the film’s overall ambition and visual spectacle.
Final Dance Competition Venue in Street Dance 2 Movies
Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag in the Street Dance Movie Genre
Street Dance 2 is a somewhat perplexing entry in the dance movie genre. It is packed with a considerable amount of dance content and features undeniably talented dancers. The fusion of street dance with Latin styles offers a fresh and energetic dynamic. Visually, the film is impressive, showcasing stunning European locations and stylish costumes.
However, Street Dance 2 is also weighed down by a weak and overly emphasized romantic subplot. The lead actor, while competent, is not particularly compelling, and the predictable plot lacks originality. The dialogue is often cheesy, and the music, while functional, is largely unmemorable. The film could have benefited from a tighter script, stronger character development for the sidekicks, and a more impactful soundtrack.
Ultimately, Street Dance 2 occupies a middle ground within the dance movie landscape. It sits somewhere between the original Street Dance and other comparable dance sequels in terms of overall quality. It is likely to appeal most to dedicated fans of dance movies and those specifically interested in street dance and Latin dance fusions. For casual viewers or those seeking groundbreaking narratives or deeply compelling characters, Street Dance 2 may fall short. It’s a film that prioritizes dance spectacle and visual appeal, making it a worthwhile watch for its energetic dance sequences and stylish presentation, despite its narrative and musical shortcomings.
