Dear Reader: Update, Movie Review Intelligence will
continue publishing this website through June (more...)
Search a Movie:
STEP UP REVOLUTIONMovie Reviews
Drama about two young dancers who turn their performance art into protest art to prevent a wealthy businessman from developing their historic Miami neighborhood. Cast:Ryan Guzman, Misha Gabriel, Stephen Boss, Kathryn McCormick, Peter Gallagher, Alyson Stoner, Adam G. Sevani, Jessica Guadix, Joshua DrewDirector:Scott SpeerRelease Date:July 27, 2012DVD Release:November 27, 2012From:Summit EntertainmentRating:PG-13Length:1 hr 46 minIn 3D
Step Up Revolution played to fair reviews. • Scott Bowles wrote in USA Today, "...a paper-thin story that plays like a music video on repeat.... tries a few plot moves, but, narratively, it has two left feet." • And Cynthia Fuchs wrote for Pop Matters, "As usual, the 'Step Up' plot doesn't make much sense, depending on preposterous lies and betrayals and mistaken identities." More Reviews Below...
Step Up Revolution Positive Reviews (32 Reviews, reviews below)
Alynda Wheat, People: MODERATE(cg) "...has all the pieces of a solid dance movie. It just can't put them together.... you might be better off indulging in a few episodes of 'So You Think You Can Dance.' "(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 196 words, 07/26/12
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: MODERATE(cg) "...a series of unconnected stories that serve as showcases for the kinds of young stars who sincerely hope they'll soon be in better movies."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 673 words, 07/27/12
Kat Murphy, MSN Movies: MODERATE(cg) "Despite their infectious energy and some mind-blowing moves, there's a chaotic formlessness to even the best of these set pieces."(See all of Kat Murphy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 753 words, 07/26/12
we have an app for when you're out and about
get our iPhone app... or get our mobile web app...
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: FAIR "Though the location-specific choreography looks like it could be impressive, the film's frantic cutting style makes it difficult to simply enjoy bodies moving in space."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 258 words, 07/27/12
Sara Stewart, New York Post: MODERATE(cg) "There's a passably fun time to be had here.... But you may walk away thinking you could have made a better version with your iPhone."(See all of Sara Stewart's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 429 words, 07/27/12
Frank Lovece, New York Newsday: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...the closest thing so far to an American Bollywood musical... It's no spoiler to say everything works out in the end..."(See all of Frank Lovece's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 304 words, 07/27/12
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: MODERATE(cg) "...a series of unconnected stories that serve as showcases for the kinds of young stars who sincerely hope they'll soon be in better movies."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 673 words, 07/27/12
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice/LA Weekly: POOR "...another ideologically incomprehensible -- if rather more kinetic and shamelessly corny -- manifestation of Occupy unrest-as-spectacle."(See all of Nick Pinkerton's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 215 words, 08/01/12
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: WEAK(cg) "The showboating moves that are the real reason for the 'Step Up' flicks are more acrobatics and precision drills than dance.... impressive but don't bother..."(See all of Linda Barnard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 555 words, 07/27/12
Jennie Punter, Toronto Globe & Mail: WEAK(cg) "...watching their acting - like everything in the film that is not dancing - is a lot like having too much beach sand between your toes: not painful, just uncomfortable."(See all of Jennie Punter's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 579 words, 07/27/12
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "As dramatically inert as 'Step Up Revolution' is, it showcases bodies that are fluid, kinetic and very often aerodynamic. The plot is unbelievable, but so are the moves."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 200 words, 07/26/12
KEY CITIES (8 Reviews)
Sean O'Connell, Washington Post: MODERATE(cg) "...the young and nimble cast eventually powers through the obvious screenwriting with a combustible jolt of sweat, sand, energy, heart and suggestive choreography."(See all of Sean O'Connell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 521 words, 07/27/12
Hillary Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...if you're into dance, and dance movies, this one teems with the latest trends (albeit trends that will soon turn to nostalgia)."(See all of Hillary Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 494 words, 07/27/12
Barbara VanDenburgh, Arizona Republic: MODERATE(cg) "Either an hour and a half of pretty people gyrating in a dance film's third sequel is enough for you, or it isn't. And on that front, it delivers."(See all of Barbara VanDenburgh's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 551 words, 07/27/12
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: POOR(cg) "...aside from Kathryn McCormick and Ryan Guzman's duets, the choreography is awful -- mostly staccato gestures, acrobatics and men doing line dances..."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 530 words, 07/27/12
Roger Moore, Seattle Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...taps into the dance 'flash-mob' phenomenon and moves to Miami to give us the sunniest and most entertaining of these kids-gotta-dance musicals."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 405 words, 07/27/12
Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times: FAIR(cg) "...a bad movie with a few good moments, usually when the cast sets aside delusions of acting prowess and does what comes naturally to them..."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 440 words, 07/26/12
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "What matters are the moves, and 'Step Up Revolution' has more than enough to keep even the most casual fan appreciating the beats."(See all of Connie Ogle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 678 words, 07/27/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (10 Reviews)
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice/LA Weekly: POOR "...another ideologically incomprehensible -- if rather more kinetic and shamelessly corny -- manifestation of Occupy unrest-as-spectacle."(See all of Nick Pinkerton's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 215 words, 08/01/12
Kristy Puchko, Cinema Blend: WEAK(cg) "...overstuffed with plot that detracts from the dance.... It's a shame the filmmakers hired so many remarkable dancers but then cut the film as if they hadn't."(See all of Kristy Puchko's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 781 words, 07/25/12
Patrick Z. McGavin, Boston Phoenix: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The inventive stylization and avant-garde flourishes counteract the actors' technical limitations.... At its best, it embodies emotion through movement."(See all of Patrick Z. McGavin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 134 words, 07/26/12
Tasha Robinson, AV Club: FAIR(cg) "Many of the high-concept flash-mob routines are beautifully conceived, but too often, the editing won't let the viewers take in their scope, and they end too quickly..."(See all of Tasha Robinson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 679 words, 07/26/12
Alison Willmore, Movieline: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...not a movie you watch for its incredible story and dialogue. The film doesn't even share much connective tissue with its predecessors..."(See all of Alison Willmore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 842 words, 07/25/12
Ed Gonzalez, Slant: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Something of a greatest-hits combo... asks us to cheer a dance revolution that can't be bothered to channel the iconography and spirit of the immigrant struggle..."(See all of Ed Gonzalez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 485 words, 07/25/12
Radheyan Simonpillai, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "As dramatically inert as 'Step Up Revolution' is, it showcases bodies that are fluid, kinetic and very often aerodynamic. The plot is unbelievable, but so are the moves."(See all of Radheyan Simonpillai's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 200 words, 07/26/12
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: WEAK(cg) "...there's lots of sweaty grinding and the like, but it's sweet, unexploitive... the moment the dancing stops, it all stumbles into the howlingly ridiculous."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 478 words, 08/09/12
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: FAIR "Though the location-specific choreography looks like it could be impressive, the film's frantic cutting style makes it difficult to simply enjoy bodies moving in space."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 258 words, 07/27/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (5 Reviews)
Andrew Barker, Daily Variety: FAIR "As a story about actual human characters, it comes up short, and as a performance film, it's kinetic and acrobatic, yet misses an essential element of artistry."(See all of Andrew Barker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 726 words, 07/25/12
Justin Lowe, Hollywood Reporter: FAIR "By now 3D dance performances are routine for the genre and with the exception of a few notable aerial tricks, 'Revolution' doesn't offer many stylistic innovations..."(See all of Justin Lowe's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 774 words, 07/25/12
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: FAIR "Though the location-specific choreography looks like it could be impressive, the film's frantic cutting style makes it difficult to simply enjoy bodies moving in space."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 258 words, 07/27/12
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: MODERATE(cg) "Problem is the lackluster direction of Scott Speer, who makes his feature film debut, and the banal screenplay by Amanda Brody..."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 476 words, 07/26/12
13.6 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Step Up Revolution's reviews are separated by an average 13.6 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Step Up Revolution (32 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Step Up Revolution's reviews cover 45.5% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 15,416 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 482 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 9.4 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Step Up Revolution's reviews on average broke 9.4 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Step Up Revolution's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Step Up Revolution (32 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
Mobile Web App version 1.2 shows a list of all current movies and review information. You can click through to the cast, director, synopsis, release date and rating on page two, plus individual reviews on page three. The information is updated on a live/real-time basis. You can also search our database of films. Designed for when you're on the move and want the latest info, this app will work on any mobile web browser. From your mobile device -- only from a mobile device -- open our Mobile Web App here...
