Stomp the Yard finds Columbus Short putting in a strong performance as D.J., his first starring role in a feature film.

After a dance-off which results in his group teaching some lessons to a rival krumping [a fairly new kind of clown dancing] gang, D.J. witnesses the violent death of his brother Duron (Chris Brown) after they are set upon. He leaves behind the streets of Los Angeles and krumping, heading for Atlanta where his hard-ass uncle Nate pulls every string imaginable to get D.J. into Truth University, the college he works as a landscaper at. It is D.J.’s brother’s dream of attending college that he picks up, and at Truth University, we’re given a snapshot of life at an African-American university rich in history and tradition.

Once there, D.J. quickly experiences culture shock. Here, it is not krumping, but stepping – a combination of precision and synchronised dancing, marching and chanting – that rules. D.J. stands out like a sore thumb with his work-study schedule among the college’s rich elite and his street-dancing style among the steppers. Despite not wanting to get involved in the dance scene again after his brother’s brutal death, D.J. becomes a hot commodity among the top 2 fraternities (and top 2 stepping fraternities) on campus after showing off for a girl, April (Meagan Good) at a bar.

However, the very dance also results in him becoming enemies with Grant (Darrin Henson), April’s boyfriend, who happens to be one of the best steppers at Mu Gamma Xi, stepping frat champions for many years running. It doesn’t take long before Mu Gamma Xi and Theta Nu Theta, the other fraternity, start to approach D.J. to boost their stepping ranks. The approaches are vastly different, however, Gamma with their arrogance, and Theta with the pitch of true brotherhood. We’re given glimpses into fraternity culture, which the movie warmly embraces. At Truth, fraternity affiliation is lifelong and a predictor of future success, with sterling examples such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Despite the strong MTV influence in that the movie features a young protagonist and a killer soundtrack, the difference is that Stomp the Yard actually doesn’t lack in story and manages to engage you till the end with its brilliant script. The dancing scenes are also really awesome and pulled off nicely with elaborate camera work and post-editing.

However, Stomp the Yard doesn’t veer much from the other dance movies that had predictable storylines, beginning with Fame, Dirty Dancing, Flashdance, and more recently, Save the Last Dance. In all these movies, young protagonists have been shown battling setbacks, overcoming prejudice, gaining confidence and even getting over traumatic pasts through dance. It is pretty much a pop culture staple, and would appeal as such. That said, Stomp the Yard is slightly different in that it is truly a joyful dance to watch.

Starting with krumping, and then moving on to stepping, and then stepping infused with street influences. It really is a visual feast and would get you moving in your seats. It also gives the audience an idea of African-American culture outside of the rap world that everyone knows. The impassioned speeches about the importance of brotherhood and education makes the dance sequences seem less important in comparison.

If you’re looking for a typical MTV-style dance movie, you’d be completely missing the plot. Here is a dance movie that actually has beautiful yet thrilling dance sequences, with a heartwarming story to boot.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars for the movie
5 out of 5 for the dance sequences

Movie details

Opens: 15 March 2007
Runtime: 115 minutes
Cast: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo, Darrin Henson, Brian White, Chris Brown
Director: Sylvain White