EDITED to refer to only 3-4. I've come to realise that Step Up 5 is a much much weirder film which really deserves a review all to itself. It's like a cross between The Hunger Games and one of those episodes of Star Trek where they've forgotten they're in a simulation. (Yes I'm hoping there's someone else in the world who will both read a review of the Step Up films and get references to Star Trek)
...Man, one of these days I'm going to have to see what all the fuss is about.
Tbh by this point they're just dance films with really great dancing and a bit of a Fast And Furious vibe, I wouldn't want to overhype you, they're just very fun and very pretty if you're into that.
I'm not sure if I am, but thanks. That's about the impression your reviews gave me, and that's why I figured I should give them a fair shot to see if they are.
Also, you accidentally forgot to change the last reference to "The latest three Step Up films" to account for the fact that you shifted this review to only cover 3 & 4.
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Step Up 3-4 - They Danced And Someone Had A Problem With That, So They Dance And Everything Is Fine
After the second film, there's no real need to review the next two films individually. The stories mean nothing, and everything is an excuse to watch some of the most elaborate and wonderfully choreographed dance sequences you'll see around. The plots exist purely to set up the romance, the dance sequences and a reason for the love interest to run away and come back just before the big ending dance.
Dancing has stopped being a thing which some people are interested in, or a driving influence in the plot. Instead Dancing is a philosophy, a way of life. Dancing is letting yourself be unique. Dancing is about Being Free and Being Happy and Being Yourself and substituting the worries of the world with a well-timed moonwalk, in much the same way as the films do with the plot.
The class undertones are still there, but they've been transformed by the films unwavering dedication to worship at the alter of Dance. Most of the characters will come from urban backgrounds, except for the love interest who will be obscenely rich to provide a twist and the happy ending. The rich kid will have inattentive parents and siblings and the last dance is their way of flipping those parents and siblings off.
It's not about exploring class prejudice and poverty, but the kids have urban backgrounds because it's having a special bond and culture and way of life and dance infiltrates every aspect of that.
And it's a good thing. The first Step Up was concerned about how everyone puts you in your place by not believing you can be anything more than you already are. The next two Step Up films are about being all you are. Dreaming of bigger things and making those dreams real.
The Step Up films wants people to stop worrying, dance and be happy. And they want you to stop worrying, watch their incredible dancing and be happy.
Who can ask for more than that?