After Drumline, You Got Served, Stomp The Yard, Save the Last Dance 1 and 2, Honey, Step Up, and Step Up 2 the Streets, did we really need another teen step/dance movie to add to the collection? After viewing 2008’s How She Move, the answer is definitely -- no. Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid, How She Move debuted new actress Rutina Wesley as Raya Green, the heroine in this token coming-of-age tale set in Toronto, Canada. Written by AnnaMarie Morais, How She Move dryly chronicles the tale of a young Jamaican immigrant on the path to finding herself, and getting out of a bad neighborhood.
“Funny thing, the way one moment changes a million after it,” Raya says, reflecting on her adventures in the movie's epitomizing statement. The plot includes all the typical elements of a step dance movie: there's the token tragic event, followed by a big change or move, and the introduction of a love interest, who subsequently either introduces or encourages dancing/stepping. The newfound love for dancing/stepping usually leads to battle with someone who does not agree with their passion, then a need for money comes up, the rivals are introduced, the big competition (aka climax) becomes the elixir for all the character’s problems, followed by a win, self realization, and hook-up.
That formula's worked for at least six movies before it, and it might have flown with How She Move, too, if the acting wasn’t so bad, if the fake accents weren’t distracting, if everyone didn’t seem rhythmically challenged. A press release claimed the actors were sent to a step boot camp to prepare with known choreographer Hi-Hat, but I didn't believe it. Still questioning how a dance movie can be made when everyone looks like they had a hard time picking up the chorography.
Quite frankly, How She Move, which features essentially all new actors, needs the face and name of at least one known actor with experience, if only for inspiration to do a better job. If it weren’t for the exceptionally good soundtrack, which features music from Missy Elliott, Vybz Kartel, and Busta Rhymes, this film would have had even more people sleeping at the screening I attended. For those of us who did stay awake, at least we were happy that the movie conveyed a positive life message: having a sense of self. Unfortunately, How She Move seems like a parody or spoof that could've easily been called Not Another Dance Movie. This flick hit the big screen on Friday, January 18, and I am still trying to figure out how it skipped the straight-to-DVD lineup.
Correction Appended
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Comments
1.
neshi_bishi says:
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im so sick of dance movies...
January 27, 2008 at 6:30 pm
2.
jhmtl says:
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to Ms. Shirea L. Carroll,
as an avid VIBE reader, I must say that you really let me down with this weak, weak review, for what I thought was a breakthrough film.
*Firstly, the movie is set in TORONTO, Canada, NOT Jamaica Queens. The fact that you couldn't even pick up this Obvious plot point just goes to show that you went into this film, not to actually watch it, but in the hopes that your preconceived thoughts about it would be easy to judge- & obviously they were not, so you got lazy on us... but i digress...
**Secondly, since when do all movies have to follow "formulas" ? Or carry "Known actors with experience" ?
Do you, as a film critic not enjoy seeing New, fresh talent showcased? Or new Ideas?!-- no, of course not. you'd rather be fed the same, generic, "You Got Served" type of horrible acting, & settle for weak plots, bad stoylines, & Jennifer Freeman attemping to keep it hood... but, again, i digress...
***Thirdly, you talk about the soundtrack. Ok... You fail to mention all of the amazing Original tracks that were created by Montell Jordan for the film... you talk about the dancing.. & say that "Everyone seemed rythmically challenged"... you Obviously did not watch the same movie I did... or you have something against good dancers, Hi-Hat, or someone involved with this movie...
.. Because, after reading your review, it is Clear that you lazily jotted down some words on a page without even attempting to truly watch/experience this film.
this is a Caribbean/Canadian Black film.
It is the FIRST ( I repeat) FIRST film of it's kind to have DARK SKINNED women playing the leads.
It's filled with positive messages, & does not put women down.
...And yet, you choose to bash it, because you are a lazy writer.
that is sad.
***I recommend that everyone goes & sees HOW SHE MOVE, & write to Ms. Shirea L. Carroll & let her know your thoughts as well.***
Bless.
James Harland
Canada
January 27, 2008 at 12:05 am
3.
Priya24 says:
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Note to writer, the film takes place in Toronto, Canada.... not Jamaica, Queens...
January 26, 2008 at 11:24 am