I admit that I can't dance to save myself, even though after a few pints of lager I sometimes think I can, so watching Stomp the Yard only proved to confirm that my place is by the bar and not on the dance floor.
Stomp the Yard tells the tale of DJ (Columbus Short) a young kid from 'da hood' who makes his way to Truth University after his brother is shot and dies dramatically in his arms. The story then follows this 'kid from the wrong side of the tracks' as he tries to keep his head down and out of trouble, while concentrating on his studies and gardening part time to pay for his tuition.
However, this would be a dull movie if DJ did manage to keep his head down, and within half an hour he's managed to fall in love with a girl, who's decidedly richer boyfriend is one of the leading hip hop dancers in one of the leading male fraternities. Being something of a dancer himself, DJ joins the opposing fraternity and helps them towards competing in the national 'Stomp' championships - and from there you're probably able to guess all the rest that happens.
The frustrating thing about this film is that there are no surprises, and the subplots and burgeoning romance seem to be a mishmash of every American frat movie ever made. It lacks originality, and the actors seem to know this, as their character portrayals have all the depth of stagnant puddle of water. This is just another example of Hollywood doing a movie by numbers, however, audiences are now starting to get slightly weary of it.
Unfortunately Stomp the Yard does not offer anything that Step Up and Take the Lead haven't already given us, so forget the plot -the dance scenes are what make this movie watchable, and even then only just.
