Fans of DIRTY DANCING and FAME will dig the moves in this tale of a sullen young thug named Tyler (Channing Tatum) who winds up doing community service at the Baltimore High School for the Performing Arts. At first he's just smirking and mopping the floors, but then Nora (Jenna Dewan), a talented dancer and choreographer, loses her partner to a fractured ankle mere weeks before the big showcase, and Tyler steps in as her partner. At first he doesn't take it too seriously but then again, he's never had a real chance in life. His best friend from the street (Damaine Radcliff) gets jealous and forces Tyler to decide which side of the tracks he thinks he belongs on. Meanwhile, romance heats up between Tyler and Nora, and there's some side business with the school's hip-hop composer (Mario) falling in love with Nora's hot friend Lucy (Drew Sidora), who is going out with an older man--a successful artist who cheats on her. As far as dramatic steps go, that's all fairly by the numbers, but the performances are strong. (Tatum manages to be charismatic while playing his character like a real high school kid, that is to say, monosyllabically.) The dialogue crackles and the editing is tight, while the big dance climax is, of course, a crowd-pleasing showstopper. Rachel Griffiths (SIX FEET UNDER) plays the school principal. Alyson Stoner connects with some warmth and spontaneity as Tatum's little sister, as does rapper Heavy D in a bit part as a local crime lord.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English, French
Subtitles - English SDH, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes and Bloopers
Audio Commentary: Stars Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan Director/Choreographer Anne Fletcher
Music Video:
1. Ciara Featuring Chamillionaire Music Video 'Get Up 2. Sean Paul Featuring Keyshia Cole Music Video '(When You Gonna) Give it Up to Me
2. Samantha Jade Music Video 'Step Up
Featurette:
1. MySpace.com Dance Contest Videos
2. MAKING THE MOVIES

Channing Tatum: Actor, SUPERCROSS: THE MOVIE (2005)
Jenna Dewan: Actress, TAMARA (2005)
Rachel Griffiths: Australian actress, SIX FEET UNDER, MURIEL'S WEDDING
 Heavy D: RAPPER/ACTOR
Alyson Stoner: Actor, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (2003)
 Mario: R&B singer (not the porn star)
Damain Radcliff: Actor, STEP UP (2006)
D'shawn Washington: Actor, STEP UP (2006)

Anne Fletcher: 

Erik Feig: 
Jennifer Gibgot: Producer, THE WEDDING PLANNER/CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2
Adam Shankman: Choreographer/director

Duane Adler: screenwriter
Melissa Rosenberg: Screenwriter, STEP UP (2006)

Aaron Zigman: Composer, JOHN Q (2002)

Nancy Richardson: Editor

"Tatum has a bracing rectangular naturalness and easy chemistry with the lithe Dewan, on the floor and off." -- Grade: B
3 stars out of 5 -- "[E]veryone dances -- every kind of dance, from break to ballet -- brilliantly, with youth, vigor and passion. And it's great..."
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he pumping soundtrack, slick dancing and Tatum's charisma generate enough heat to slap a goofy grin on teen girls..."
"What matters is the dance, magnificently captured in a series of vibrant set pieces, each routine somehow more slick, imaginative and technically perfect than the last."
3 stars out of 5 -- "[With] some impressive dance sequences and a catchy soundtrack..."