How She Move

2008

How She Move

Critics Consensus

Despite a formulaic plot, the energetic and gritty How She Move is elevated by a commanding debut performance by Rutina Wesley.

65%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 78

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 32,696

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How She Move Photos

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Movie Info

An aspiring medical student whose drug-addicted sister has recently died and who may be forced to relocate from her posh private school to the crime-infested neighborhood in which she was raised enters a step-dancing competition in hope of securing the funds needed to continue her education. Unable to afford the tuition needed to fund her private-school education, ambitious teen Raya returns to her family home in the city and is reluctantly forced to reevaluate her future. Upon learning that the top prize for an upcoming step-dancing competition is 50,000 dollars, Raya uses her impressive moves to earn a coveted slot in her good friend Bishop's predominately male JSJ crew. Isolated from the local females due to jealousy and separated from her fellow dancers by gender, the ambitious dancer is subsequently kicked off the team for showing off during a preliminary competition. Now, if Raya has any hope of realizing her medical-school dreams, she will have to either earn back Bishop's trust or organize her own dance crew and start over from scratch.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for some drug content, suggestive material and language)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Ian Iqbal Rashid
  • Written By:
    Annmarie Morais
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $7,008,269
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Vantage

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Cast

Rutina Wesley
as Raya Green
Tracey 'Tre' Armstrong
as Michelle
Dwain Murphy
as Bishop
Brennan Gademans
as Quake
Shawn Desman
as Trey
Kevin Duhaney
as E.C.
Melanie Nicholls-King
as Faye Green
Keyshia Cole
as Herself
DeRay Davis
as Himself
Tanisha Scott
Conrad Coates
Kardinal Offishall
Djanet Sears
Alison Sealy-Smith
Mya
Clé Bennett
Tristan D. Lalla
Daniel Morrison
Romina D'Ugo
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Critic Reviews for How She Move

All Critics (78) | Top Critics (28)

  • Another week, another urban dance movie from the United States.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • The film does have great energy, and some fabulous dancing, but the script could have done with another draft.

    Apr 11, 2008 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Paul Byrnes

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • It's a familiar set-up, but while the story falls back on clichés and trite moral messages, a few dance scenes deliver in spectacular style.

    Apr 8, 2008 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Anna Smith

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • When they dance, the effect isn't exuberant release -- every cartilage-crushing stomp-clap gets more and more furious. This is cheerleading in hell.

    Jan 29, 2008 | Rating: C

    Amy Nicholson

    L.A. Weekly
    Top Critic

  • How She Move was shot on the cheap in 16-mm. film, and some of it is a little drab-looking, but it has energy and bravado.

    Jan 28, 2008 | Full Review…

    David Denby

    New Yorker
    Top Critic

  • As we replay last year's step-dance hit Stomp the Yard, the ostensible message about working hard in school gets stomped out of the yard.

    Jan 25, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Kyle Smith

    New York Post
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (78)

Audience Reviews for How She Move

  • Jun 02, 2009
    I was shocked to find out at the end of the movie that it was filmed in Ontario. What do Canadians know about step-dancing? The movie is pretty good. Pretty difficult for the hero to balance relationships, studying for the scholarship and step-dancing.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Apr 21, 2009
    movie was very slow, dancing moves weren't all that explosive, just seemed like a remake of stomp the yard but from a female dancers point of view instead of a guy, very,very similar storyline, but i liked stomp the yard, just didnt want to see it again.
    Deb J Super Reviewer
  • Jul 24, 2008
    Had to watch this movie, only because my nephew thought it would be good. It was cheesy! Not a great dance movie or any stunning moves like other dance movies. Once was enough.
    Donna D Super Reviewer
  • Apr 21, 2008
    Surprise surprise! One of these movies was finally good! Besides being slightly cliche, this movie is way better than all of its ugly siblings (see Stomp the Yard, You Got Served, etc.). I thought most of the leads did a way better job acting then any of those in the others. Not to mention this movie actually proved to be way more inspirational...although just a bit forced.
    Sam C Super Reviewer
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