“Stomp the Yard” follows the life of DJ (Columbus Short) shortly after the death of his brother Duron (Chris Brown), his subsequent arrest and his move to Atlanta to attend Truth University. Once in Atlanta, he has a tough time fitting into the university setting, especially with his reluctance to be a part of a team until he is asked to join the Theta Nu Theta fraternity.

DJ, once an urban competitive dancer in LA, finds his niche among the Thetas and helps them in creating a “steppin'” routine in an effort to win the National Championship.

Many movies in the dance genre often share the same criteria: great dance moves, weak plot and cheesy acting. However, “Stomp the Yard” sets itself apart from other movies in the genre by combining fresh moves with actual substance and positive messages.

Rather than focusing on dance alone, director Sylvain White enforces positive messages that promote the importance of heritage, education and teamwork. The movie also portrays Greek life as studious and responsible – very different from the stigmas of binge drinking and promiscuity Hollywood usually associates with it.

The only problem was by incorporating all the subtle, positive messages, the movie seems to take too long getting to the point – steppin’. Watching the Theta’s six-week-long trek to the National Competition on the big screen, at certain points, feels like six weeks in the theater.

Once the point of steppin’ is finally reached, the dance moves are breathtaking, and the range of the dancers’ motion seems almost unbelievable at points. And ladies, if the moves don’t take your breath away, the men certainly will.

But despite its tendency to drag, “Stomp the Yard” is an inspiring film, especially since the release is timed just before Black History Month. The movie makes several references to the importance of black history and how important leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks were involved in Greek life. The historical references reinforce the theme of unity and fraternity present throughout the film.