“Step,” the old-school group dance that has its origins in African gumboot and has been perfected by fraternities in Southern black universities, combines the moves of a marching band, Savion Glover, and breakdancing into a dazzling spectacle. Here it just provides a backdrop for a standard romantic melodrama. At fictitious Truth University in Atlanta, LA transplant DJ (choreographer/dancer Columbus Short) has the deck stacked against him. He’s smitten with April (Meagan Good displaying a sharp mix of smarts, sass, and sex appeal), but she’s tied to Grant (Darrin Henson), the step king at Mu Gamma Xi. DJ joins rival Theta Nu Theta (charismatic Brian J. White, son of Celtic Jo Jo, plays the frat’s head stepper), and a big step showdown looms. Clichés abound, though the plot takes some touching, if convoluted, turns. Director Sylvain White, whose gyrating camerawork can induce vomiting, wisely saves the foot-stomping best for last.

On the Web
Stomp the Yard's Web site://www.sonypictures.com/movies/stomptheyard/