![]() But along with that, it proves itself to be one of those films that attempts to show black teens as more than Hollywood-stereotypical gangstas or hoopsters. Yes, Stomp is a little clichéd and stiff with a fairly predictable story that includes a violent murder, a number of cleavage-baring outfits and implied sex. But after the brief intro the movie handed me a surprise. I was sure to see lots of sexualized dancing, lots of skin and lots of L.A. With Stomp the Yard‘s opening urban dance-off and back-alley brawl I thought I knew exactly where this film was going to take me. During the step shows, the dancers occasionally grab their own crotches. And when a guy dances closely behind a female partner, someone says, “Hope he had a condom on.” While ogling a girl’s backside, a guy makes a rude remark about already having had sex with her. (He is shirtless-again.) The two kiss at several points.ĭJ’s roommate points out the things that he doesn’t want him to touch, including condoms. Later they’re shown studying together while lying on his bed. She indicates that she wants to spend the night and they walk in and close the door. And after a vigorous, sweaty workout, DJ and his fraternity teammates are shown shirtless, posing with muscular beefcake grace on a windswept hillside.Īfter April breaks up with her boyfriend, Grant, she winds up outside DJ’s dorm room. April is shown in a slow-motion, bouncing, running scene. quote: “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.”īare midriffs, skintight low-cut tops and short shorts are the wardrobe of choice for many of the girls-April included-on and off campus. The movie ends with a Martin Luther King Jr. When someone at the school discovers DJ’s police record and gets him suspended by the ethics committee (and the provost offers to reinstate him if he’ll stay away from his daughter), DJ stands his ground but always shows respect to those in charge. DJ initially pushes his maverick ways, but when his actions cause a loss in a competition he realizes the wisdom of Sly’s words and apologizes to the team. He does so and is moved by the black history that is represented there.ĭJ’s fraternity leader, Sly, constantly stresses that their work in stepping, as in life, will bear more fruit if they work as a team. Later, when DJ raises questions about why students follow certain traditions, April suggests he visit Heritage Hall. I promised you I’d try-that’s my word.”Īs DJ gets to know April, he approaches her with respect, offers to hear out her problems and is attentive in ways that eventually impress her and draw her to him. DJ, meanwhile, talks to his mom on the phone and tells her, “I’m not quitting. 3) Three strikes and you’re out.Ĭonsistently loving and supportive, that uncle and his wife open their home to DJ and get him into the university. 2) You won’t be treated any differently than the other students. When DJ arrives in Atlanta, his uncle, who also leads his study group, sets some ground rules and holds the young man accountable: 1) Keep your grades up. And her very jealous ex-boyfriend is none-too-pleased about it either. ![]() Her dad, the school provost, is not happy with his daughter’s dating choices, however. Somewhere in the midst of step shows and college classes, DJ starts wooing the beautiful April. When DJ injects a little of his West Coast style into the mix, he’s suddenly in demand and placed at the center of a fierce rivalry between two fraternities. It’s a combination of complex dance steps incorporating cheerleading, military and drill-team moves, and rhythmic sounds created with hands and feet. The collegiate world leaves the former street kid feeling like a fish out of water until he discovers stepping-an age-old style of dance with a strong connection to African-American fraternities. All we know is that instead of jail or juvie, he’s sent to Atlanta where his aunt and uncle arrange for him to attend the affluent Truth University. ![]() Since DJ is the only one around when the cops arrive, he’s arrested and convicted-of what, exactly, the film doesn’t say. But while celebrating their well-deserved victory, the group is attacked by a rival team and DJ’s brother ends up dead. ![]() competition and sashay away with a bucketful of prize money. DJ and his team of urban hip-hop dancers mix it up at an underground L.A.
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