Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6882 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-08-04
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 87 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Dare you to keep your feet still while watching How She Move, a rip-roaring salute to Jamaican-influenced step-dancing with an infectious backbeat. The film will appeal to fans of other dance tributes like Stomp the Yard but also to fans of High School Musical, Bring It On and other teen let's-put-on-a-show empowerment films. The story is set in Toronto's thriving Caribbean-immigrant community, though there are nods to American 'hoods as well. While the drama is a bit short on plot, there's no shortage of action or star power. The film's lead, the dynamic Rutina Wesley, plays Raya Green, an honors student whose life is shattered by the death of her sister, and by her unwilling return from her private school to her urban neighborhood. But young Raya's spirit is indomitable, as shows the tough neighborhood boys she's every bit a dance force to be reckoned with as they are. Her dancing gives this film its sweet patina of girl power on top of its fabulous choreographed moves. Also don't miss the great soundtrack, featuring Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. How she move? Pretty darn great. --A.T. Hurley

Synopsis

How She Move is an energetic, gritty and inspiring story about a talented young woman who defies the rules to achieve her dreams. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, the film wowed audiences with its unflinching portrayal of life in a crime-infested neighbourhood and explosive sequences celebrating the unique urban art form of step dancing.

Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid (Touch of Pink) and featuring a hot urban soundtrack with songs by Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Mama, How She Move is the gritty story of Raya Green’s (Rutina Wesley) battle to escape her drug and crime-filled neighbourhood.

After being accepted into the exclusive Seaton Academy, Raya’s family hopes she will finally fulfill her full potential. Just as Raya begins to settle into her new life, things take a turn for the worse when her sister suddenly dies of an overdose, shattering her family life and forcing her to return to her home town. Feeling trapped and looking for a way out, Raya sees her chance to escape through a local step contest offering a $50,000 prize. Persistence and passion prevail as she battles her way into an all-male team led by the reigning champ of the local steppin’ scene, Bishop (Dwain Murphy). Sparks fly between Raya and Bishop and she finds herself in a battle between her loyalty, her determination, her family’s ambitions and her heart.

How She Move marks the feature film debut of the electric Rutina Wesley, with street-style step sequences by celebrated choreographer Hi-Hat and special appearances by R&B singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole and comedian DeRay Davis, delivering a hugely uplifting and inspiring film experience.

DVD features

- The Characters of How She Move

- From Rehearsals to Film

- How She Move: Telling Her Story

- Theatrical Trailer

Synopsis
Much like Stomp the Yard and Step Up, How She Move showcases the hypnotic choreography and mind-blowing talent that make step dancing such a popular part of youth culture. In her film debut, Rutina Wesley portrays Raya Green, a high school student hailing from the projects. Her intelligence and drive bring her to a prestigious private school, but she is forced back home after her sister's death from a drug addiction soaks up the last of Raya's tuition fund. With her parents working round the clock to make ends meet, Raya finds herself gravitating to her former friends from the neighbourhood. She rekindles her passion for dancing, and gets involved with the local step dancing teams as they compete their way toward big money prizes. Realising this is a second shot out of the projects, she gives dancing everything: all the intensity, fear, and pride she has welled up inside her.
How She Move effectively deals with some sensitive issues--drugs, poverty, and death--through the perspective of urban kids on the brink of adulthood. Though it's easy to get caught up in the dancing and fierce competition, other heartfelt messages trickle through as well, including the importance of family, community, and culture. With an impressive soundtrack and some fantastic performances, How She Move will truly entertain as well as inspire.

Customer Reviews

If there was a no star option, I'd take it
I'm not going to spend too much time writing a review for this film because it really doesn't deserve my time or effort. There is no redeeming feature in this fim - the story is completely uninspired (girl wants to make money to return to private school so decides to join a street-dancing gang) the acting bog-standard and unconvincing, the script a joke and the actual dancing - what I really wanted to see this film for - was utter rubbish. You aren't even pleased when the girl gets the boy because you don't care about either character or even want them to get togther. Theres just nothing more I can say - avoid like the plague. Utter rubbish, waste of my life, and this is from someone who loves dance film. Urgh!

Refreshing look at an old dance off theme
Really refreshing dance movie. Not like the stereo typical ones we keep getting churned out. Great dancing, and I like the story coming from the angle of Jamaican immigrants to Canada... how often you gonna see a story from this angle. Good acting, especially from the two leading girls.