听 Stomp The Yard, starring newcomer Columbus Short, is the latest in a long series of American dance movies. Director Sylvain White hoped to set it apart by showcasing a new college craze for 'stepping' - a high-octane hip-hop dance style. That seemed to work for him at the box office despite reviews that tagged it as an overlong music video padded out by "naff melodrama".
Stamped Out
A couple of extended 'stepping' numbers are included in three deleted scenes. Children of the eighties might appreciate some improvised body popping, and there's even a hint of Ricky Gervais' famous 'windscreen wipers' move. The third scene is a little too cute though, with a bunch of college students suddenly forming a drum band out of a few trashcans and an irrepressible urge to express themselves. Frankly, it inspires a new appreciation of plastic wheelie bins.
And talking of rubbish, a gag reel proves that it really is difficult to keep a straight face while delivering tired, second-hand threats from the LA ghetto circa 1991 like, "Chill out 'fore I bust a cap in yo' ass."
Retracing The Steps
Sylvain White, cinematographer Scott Kevan and editor David Checel team up for the film commentary. They talk about wanting to achieve "a dirty, gritty" feel to the club scenes and preserve a "raw energy" in the dancing. White did that by allowing the dancers to "get loose", improvising moves and keeping three cameras running simultaneously to capture all of the action. Later, he adds that, "We wanted to approach it more as a sports film than a dance film," but doesn't really expand on that. He then bangs on about wanting to give the story "emotional weight",but his insights into the characters are limited to dull clich茅s.
Unless you're an avid fan of hip-hop dance and really don't give a jot about story or substance, then you'd do well to sidestep this DVD.
EXTRA FEATURES
Stomp The Yard DVD is released on Monday 23rd July 2007.
