Movie Review: Stomp the Yard Steps to the Field

My teen daughter and I recently rented Stomp The Yard, an urban tale of a young African American man's rites of passage into love and loyalty. In this film, DJ (Columbus Keith Short, Jr) is a teen who is into Krump dancing-- a form of freestyle dance laced with acrobatics, break dancing, and martial arts invented by Tommy the Clown in LA. The opening scene was the highlight of the film for my daughter, because it featured her favorite singer and dancer, Chris Brown. Brown plays Duron, DJ's brother, who is persuaded to compete in a standoff with a rival Krump group for money.

Duron is reluctant to dance because the rivals are rough and it would be fatal if they lose. However, DJ convinces him to compete and they win. As expected, the rivals begin a bloody fight. Duron ends up dead, DJ goes to jail and gets a criminal record.

The fight scene was very artistically done in slow motion, blue light, and in black and white dream sequence. There is not a lot of blood, but the imagery gives the illusion of chaos. Unfortunately, the fight scene is the last we see of Chris Brown. Both Brown and Short play believeable characters enthralled in a very real conflict for young black men. Short maintains his strong character by showing admirable acting skill and technique throughout the movie.

The story continues with DJ, after serving his prison sentence, is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Atlanta. DJ's Uncle Nate (Harry J. Lennix, Ray) enrolls him into Truth University, a fictitious Historically Black College and University (HBCU) where he is expected to succeed. The first day of school, DJ recognizes a beautiful collegiate, April ( Megan Good). Their love affair unfolds throughout the film. When DJ attends a step show competition between Theta Phi Theta and Mu Gamma Fraternities, conflict grows.

When DJ takes on a dance challenge at an after party, both frats want desperately to recruit him.

The flashback sequences in this film gave excellent insight into the inner struggle DJ faced with his guilt about his brother's killing. Eventually, he decides to pledge as homage to his brother and prove that he was a team player.