DJ (Columbus Short), an amazing underground street dancer, hasnt been in college for a day before hes entranced by a lovely co-ed, April (Meagan Good).Working as a gardener to pay the bills, DJ doesnt fit in with the wealthier students around campus, but one thing does catch his attention -- the rival fraternity competitions known as "stepping." With Aprils help, DJ learns about the legacy and heritage behind the fraternities and decides to join up. Now part of an official step group, DJ must balance rehearsals, work, and school, while at the same time winning the heart of the girl of his dreams. With the National Step Championship drawing closer, DJ must learn to stop dancing as an individual, and to start stepping as part of a team.
At its core, Stomp the Yard is a romantic drama disguised as a dance film. Or is it the other way around? DJ (Columbus Short) is a troubled teen from Los Angeles who gets a chance for a better life when he is admitted into Atlantas privileged Truth University. Just when he thought he had escaped a life of gangs, DJ finds himself in the middle of a "war" between two upper-crust fraternities where stepping (a popular dance form) is their weapon of choice. When DJ realises the girl he falls for is the girlfriend of the schools champion stepper, he joins the rival fraternity to try show her--and himself--that hes as good as anyone else there. Stomp the Yard is not the most original film. Add some drums and youve got Drumline. Change some of the characters around and youve got Save the Last Dance. What sets the movie apart is the stepping. The precision involved at this level is impressively complicated and Short--a dancer and choreographer--is beautifully expressive both as an actor and a dancer. Sure the plot is predictable and hokey at times, but Short and Meagan Good (as his crush April) have wonderful chemistry together, and the supporting cast--including Harry J. Lennix as DJs no-nonsense uncle--are delightful to watch. --Jae-Ha Kim