film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
Pure joy. It is singing and dancing, life and love, food and family, heritage and community in all its complexity. Harnesses Golden Age Hollywood verve and style in breathtaking, enrapturing ways.
An opulent, juicy, splendidly silly, tears-of-joy spectacle reminiscent of the escapist fluff of 1930s Hollywood… yet also a romantic fantasy that a progressive, feminist gal can actually feel good about.
Utterly implausible on every level, and ultimately rather insulting: a bit of glitter and lots of hugs are the sum total of its “girl power.”
You get the G.I. Joes for Christmas. Hooray! You make them cross the demilitarized zone between the china cabinet and the DVDs near the TV to rescue Barbie. *pawft pawft pawft pawft* — enemy fire.
I can’t say there are lots of reasons to love Step Up 3D, but there are good reasons not to hate it.
Take a break from work: watch a trailer… Is this the wrongest use of 3D ever? It might be. Not that I totally can’t wait to get that one guy’s elbow in my face. Cuz that’s gonna be cool. I love how the trailer tells us that this is from director Jon M. Chu, like … more…
