Step Up All In (2014)

(On Cable TV, April 2020) If I’m an unlikely fan of the Step Up series, it’s because it’s the closest that twenty-first century Hollywood (so far) has come to a series of Classic-Hollywood dance musicals. From a somewhat dull and unpromising first instalment, the series has grown into a modern showcase for dancing and spectacular choreography. Sixth instalment Step Up All In isn’t particularly interesting from a plot perspective (dance contest in Las Vegas, blablabla) but that’s not why we’re watching the film—this is about the dances, the numbers, the choreography, maybe even the recurring characters a little. (Moose definitely levelled up by growing up!) This final instalment wisely chooses to bring back as many characters from previous films as it can, which ends up giving a nice send-off to the series. Vegas makes for an exuberant backdrop to the action, and the money has clearly been spent in the lavish choreography of the dance numbers—and the soundtrack’s pretty good too. While I’m an easy audience for this film, Step Up All In is almost pure fun—and I really should make an effort to see the few instalments of the series I haven’t yet seen.