The basic premise of “Step Up 2: The Streets” has little to do with its namesake, predecessor film other than dancing and Channing Tatum.  And, in fact, Tatum only shows up for a brief cameo at the beginning of the film, but one that provides some quality entertainment.

From there, the film follows the MSA (Maryland School of the Arts) days of Andie, a dancing hooligan whose last chance is to succeed at MSA, in order to avoid banishment to Texas. Once at the school, she finds it hard to avoid Chase Collins (Robert Hoffman), the resident hunk whose brother just happened to be placed in charge of the school. A rogue MSA dancer (meaning, he can be seen at certain clubs), he soon enlists Andie (recently kicked out of her crew) to help form an MSA crew to compete in the Streets, a competition to determine the best crew and earn bragging rights for the year.

In order to do this, the two recruit the best freestyle and street dancers they know: outcasts living on the corners of MSA’s structured curriculum, including Moose (Adam G. Sevani), Andie’s first MSA friend. From here, the movie enters familiar and clichéd territory, including trite characterization, unintentional stereotyping, and dorkdom-gone-cool.

In fact, a good majority of the dialogue is so banal, so utterly cringe-inducing, it is difficult to avoid projectile vomiting upon first utterance. And yet, upon consideration, it becomes clear that not a person in the theater, in his or her heart of hearts, is there for narrative intricacy or social, subtle commentary, but simply, for some truly mesmerizing dancing. And on this level, the film delivers ten-fold.

Improving on its forerunner, this less-than-sequel abandons attention to nearly everything except for its fantastic dance sequences and choreography. Just as many musicals use dialogue to transition from song to song, so “Step Up 2” uses dialogue to transition between dance sets. True, these ‘transitions’ are mind-blowingly abysmal, but the mind-blowing moves the leads and their extras display nearly make up for this D-grade plot.

In the end, what emerges is an overblown music video (in the best sense) featuring some excellent hip-hop tracks, mostly charismatic and talented leads, and some of the most visually and technically stunning movement put to screen in quite some time. No joke. I’m going out on a limb and ASSuming that most who will consider seeing this film will know what they’re getting into (like me) and, if so, will enjoy the film for what it is. “Step Up 2” could have benefited from serious rewrites, but this is nearly eclipsed in the end. But I warn you, be on guard, lest you find yourself trying out some of these moves in the mirror in an occupied house.

My conscience forbids me from recommending this film without a huge ‘BUT’ (figure that one out), but, as long as you know that the film genuinely and wholly sucks, I feel okay telling you the film is worth seeing thanks to the attractive leads, hot tracks, and smooth moves. Simply put, $20 for super moves minus $15 for crap writing and plotting equals $5 for a ticket. Find a cheap theater and I’ll say (half-heartedly) it’s worth your while:  C

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