Seen on: January 27, 2008

The players: Director: Ian Rashid, Writer: Annmarie Morais, Cast: Rutina Wesley, Dwain Murphy, Tracey Armstrong, Shawn Desman, Cle Bennett

Facts of interest: "How She Move" marks Rutina Wesley's big screen acting debut.

The plot: After her sister passes away, high school student Raya Green (Wesley) is forced to return to her criminally active neighborhood, where she soon develops an incredible passion for step dancing.

Our quick thoughts: “How She Move” may have fans of the genre stepping around their seats, but the film still fails to dodge the usual clichés. The greatest weakness in this average musical drama is its simplistic story line, which focuses on an ambitious girl’s dream to get into medical school. Although more down-to-earth than “Stomp the Yard” and “Step Up,” the movie obviously has a hard time coping with generic characters and cheesy dialogue.

Excellent rhythm, a solid soundtrack and edgy stepping however keep the predictable plot flowing at a steady pace. Especially the last 20 minutes are vibrating enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen and make you appreciate the talent of the energetic dancers. The relatively unknown cast adds another refreshing touch to the film, with newcomer Rutina Wesley stealing the show with the most credible performance.     

Freaky quote: "She can hear you and she can handle herself." - Rutina Wesley

The final word: “How She Move” is worth the trip to the theatre only if you’re interested in the art of step dancing. Those sick of having to wait for the release of “Step Up 2 The Streets” will likely have a blast watching this, but anyone not in the mood for rough dancing should proceed with caution.