A sort-of sequel to the 2006 dance movie, "Step Up 2" focuses on a talented street dancer, Andie West (played by Briana Evigan, daughter of "My Two Dads' " star Greg Evigan, and a shoo-in to play Lindsay Lohan in the inevitable movie of the week). Andie's part of a dance crew, called the 410, that mounts guerrilla dance stunts on the Baltimore subways in preparation for an underground dance-off.

Andie's life with the 410 is threatened when her guardian Sarah ("The Wire's" Sonja Sohn), worried about Andie's brooding after her mother's death, wants to send her to Texas to live with her aunt. Andie's only chance to stay in Baltimore comes when Tyler (Channing Tatum), the main guy from the first movie (who only has cameos here), arranges an audition for Andie with the Maryland School of the Arts. Andie gets in, of course, but her school schedule interferes with rehearsals with the 410, whose leader Tuck (Black Thomas) bounces her from the group. Andie forms her own crew from her school's outcasts, and the school's dance-loving lothario Chase (Robert Hoffman).

First-time director Jon M. Chu, himself a former dancer, doesn't try to do much with a script that rehashes every dance-movie cliche, with people getting served, bringing it on and stomping yards. His focus is on the hip-hop dance numbers, which are spirited and energetic - even if they do start to blend together after 90-plus minutes.

SEAN P. MEANS can be reached at movies@sltrib.com or 801-257-8602. Send comments about this review to livingeditor@sltrib.com.