In the attempt to be something more than just another bland dance movie, Step Up Revolution, as its title implies, has a message at its core.

Don’t let anyone determine your fate, Sean (Ryan Guzman) and Emily (Kathryn McCormick) tell each other as they try to overcome obstacles (he’s the son of Cuban immigrants hoping for something better than his waiter job; she’s a rich chick trying to get into a prestigious dance program).

Set in Miami, the movie – the fourth in the franchise — features some incredible choreography made all the more incredible by snazzy 3D. But the plot about disaffected youth looking for meaning through dance is a tired one.

So when Sean has a falling with both his sweetheart and his renegade friends who arrange flash-mob dances in public places, you just know everything will turn out OK after a dramatic dance-off. No spoiler alert required for this predictable story. –Jeff Niesel

This article appears in Jul 25-31, 2012.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.