Is this the new Wii dance craze?  No…well, not yet.  But Dance Dance* Step Up Revolution will make you wanna get up and shake that thang.  And, as Fat Albert and the Gang said, there’s a little bit of “learning from each other, while we do our thing”.  Na, na, na — gonna have a good time, hey hey hey!

Okay, first things first.  Forget the movie poster and all that “this is a luuuuurve story!” pink, purple and sweaty hugging.  I love me some pink and purple — I’m a chick, I think it’s the law — but save that color scheme for Katy Perry’s film, where it’s appropriate (and cooler, btw.)  This film is about how a group of dancing pals (“The Mob”) that want to do what every Generation Whatever-Letter-We’re-On wanna do; score high on YouTube baby!  Yep, in Step Up Revolution there’s a ton of moola waiting for the first channel that gets 10 million hits.  In order to do that, there’s a lot of dancing that’s gotta be done, and it’s all very, very good.  This is the kind of dancing that will make all the idiots (example: me) head down to their basements to try out those moves and look hilarious.  Why?  Because these dancers make it look easy.  That’s talent right there y’all.

The dancing?  Oh the dancing.  The thing about the Step Up films is this; they’re not afraid to mix up the styles.  Ballet, hip-hop/breakdancing, modern, crunk.  It’s all in there, and then some.  Since this film takes place in Miami, you know you’ll also be getting some salsa with your order.  And it’s all wonderful.  ‘Cause face it; you wouldn’t be headed to this film unless  you were down with some serious moves.  (Or if you owe your significant other a movie night.  Either way, you’re down.)  I hope the world never gets so scary that flash mobs of this quality and style ever get outlawed.  The trailer for this film shows you a little of the dance numbers you’ll see; traffic jam on Ocean Drive (cue the Fame flashbacks!), art gallery “performance art”, high-class restaurant table-dancing, and a full scale dance-yo-asses-off finale.  In between all that, there’s practicing, solo/duets and a few other very cool surprises.  Think of it as Cirque de South Beach.

Oh yeah, and there’s a story in here too.  Because The Mob soon hears that the restaurant where they have all gathered since they were kids is slated to be torn down to make way for new, high-price waterfront properties.  And the dude that’s the leader of the gang (Sean, played by Ryan Guzman)?  Totally in love with the CEO’s daughter (Emily, played by Kathryn McCormick from So You Think You Dan Dance?)  That’s not gonna be awkward.  Oh, and the CEO is played by Peter Gallagher, who is looking and sounding more and more like Kyle MacLachlan every day…or is that the other way around?  When the trailer hints at “Protest Art”, it’s there.  And it’s a great scene; kudos to the many choreographers that put this and the rest of the numbers together.  From movement to editing, lighting to blocking, it all comes together beautifully.

The costuming is lovely here, from the ballet dancer’s fiber-optic tutus and The Mob’s tagged denim to the posh-posh Miami clubbing styles.  The art-art is amazing too.  I don’t know who put together the graffiti art, metal sculpture and other “Mob” pieces, but they’re amazing.  And in one instance — I’m looking at you, committee meeting scene — it’s awe-inspiring.

Do I wish that Channing Tatum made an appearance?  After seeing his wicked cool moves in Magic Mike, yeah I do.  But there are Step Up alumni making appearances, so fans of the whole series can rest assured that Moose, Jenny Kido, Vlad, Twitch and others of the ol’ school crew will be on hand for the final throwdown.  As with the new kids on the block, leads Guzman and McCormick show us some flash moves in and out of the flash mob, and their chemistry is nice but not overdone.  But this movie is about watching the people dance, and director Scott Speer knows how to deliver the goods.  Speer has helmed a few other dance films before this one, and he’s looking like a director to watch.  But is Step  Up Revolution film a definite see-in-3D?  Not really; the moves are great either way, and though there are a few times where the 3D is fun, it’s just that; fun, but not a necessary part.  So it all depends; what’s your greater need, Twizzlers or a few moments of 3D effects?  Either way, enjoy it.

* Seriously, it’s not just me, right?  I’m not the only one having trouble remembering that this movie isn’t Dance Dance Revolution, right?  Okay fine.