Evocative, energetic and with a whole lotta dance-loving crews, ‘Step Up All In’ is the latest addition to the highly-successful ‘Step Up’ franchise.
Directed by Trish Sie and, starring Ryan Guzman and Briana Evigan, this film is so full of fun and frenetic dance moves that you can’t help but leave the cinema with a bounce in your step. Even better than that, the decision to bring back many of the previous stars from earlier ‘Step Up’ films means the quality of dancing is exceptional and the easy camaraderie is obvious. This time round, the crew come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers. Sounds dramatic but as usual, all issues are eventually solved through dance.
Ryan Guzman steps into the role of Sean, a dancer who is part of a crew known as The Mob to Los Angeles to try and make it big. But they don’t had much luck and eventually The Mob decide it's time to go back to Miami. Sean decides to stay and learns of a dance competition in Las Vegas where the winner will get a three year contract. Sean needs a new crew so he asks fellow dancer Moose for help. And Moose introduces him to Andie (played by Briana Evigan), another friend and dancer who was injured a few years ago and is now ready to get back into the scene. Cue sexual tension, an awkward first encounter and some healthy dance rivalry and here is the predictable and lovable formula.
Let’s be honest here – viewers don’t come for the intricate plot lines and insightful character development. They come for the dance moves, the cheesy one-liners, the comforting predictability of the franchise and the sex appeal of the cast. And the best part is – the cast and crew don’t deny this. In fact they embrace and celebrate it.
When asked what he loves most about being part of this film, Ryan replied, “For me man, it’s the people. Everyone involved in this production is awesome, committed and loves to have fun and get a little loose. Plus we get to dance and dance and then dance some more. What kind of job is this?” He is quick to point out that “it is still hard work and the days are long and grueling, often dancers are on set for up to 16 hours and rehearse and repeat scenes for days at a time. I have such respect for everyone – the dedication is pretty amazing. Plus we all know how to have a lot of fun on set and not take it all too seriously.”
Briana Evigan has been part of this franchise since the second installment ‘Step Up 2: The Streets’ and is stoked to be back in the ‘Step Up’ family and admits she feels grateful to be able to do this again. “When I booked the role of Andie six years ago, she was a lot like me.&;I was a street hip-hop dancer. I showed up with the do-rag and had this attitude of, ‘whatever’ and it was me, at the time.If anything, it was fun to be able to go back to being a little bit sloppier and chill and homied-out.That’s really the way it was. I’d hang out, go to dance classes and literally eat, breathe and live dance. So, I got to do that again.”
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She laughs and then adds, “I’d like to say it was easier but it was still hard and sweaty work. But this time I’ve done a ton of films in the last six years so I bring the whole package now.It’s an entire performance, rather than just dancing.;Now, I’m putting a character to it.Now, I’m adding sexy to it. Now, I’m putting all of these pieces on top of just dancing. I think that, at least in my case, my dancing has become even stronger, even though I haven’t danced in six years.”
Both stars are so quick to laugh and tease each other that you get the feeling that they’ve formed a strong friendship but both deny any on-set romance. Guzman explained, “We’re like a family on set now, we’ve danced together and hung out and run lines and so you get to know people really well. There was so much laughter when we shot this, I can’t imagine having more fun on another set. We just had so many cool people as part of this and we are actually really proud of the result. We’re not going to change the world with it or win an Oscar, but it’s a solid film and the dancing will seriously blow you away.”
‘Step Up All In’ will be in cinemas 11th September. We're even giving away ten in-season double pass, click here to enter.
