After a winter filled with the beautiful but intense movies such as Atonement, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood, avid moviegoers needed a bit of a break-something that keeps interest and plays up emotions, but without the added evils of the world and long, depressing scores. How She Move (Paramount, Jan. 25) gives just that.

How She Move is an inspirational and energetic tale of an intelligent young woman who steps her way into a better future, discovering herself along the way.

The film, directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid (2004’s Touch of Pink), centers on the electric world of step dancing, featuring a fresh cast of newcomers and marking the debut of the stimulating Rutina Wesley, with special appearances by R ‘n’ B artist Keyshia Cole (Just Like You) and comedian DeRay Davis (License to Wed).

Raya Green (Wesley) is a teenage girl who dreams of going to medical school and getting out of her drug-and crime-infested neighborhood.

It seems like her dreams will become reality when her parents are able to afford the tuition at an exceptional private school, but she is forced to go back to her sordid neighborhood after a drug overdose claims her sister’s life and the family’s finances. Raya struggles with the loss of her sister and trying to fit in while working on getting back to the lofty prep school.

Raya’s biggest rival throughout is former friend Michelle (dancer-turned-actress Tre Armstrong, Save the Last Dance 2). On many occasions, the feud results in impromptu dance-offs that ultimately lead to Michelle gaining a spot on a well-known, all-girl crew of steppers. With a lucrative dance competition approaching, Raya must decide between being loyal to her former friend or being on the winning team.

How She Move is full of electrifying dance sequences that will blow audiences away.

The dance scenes are filmed in unbroken, long takes, so that the audience can fully appreciate choreographer Hi Hat’s impressive moves. In addition, the aggressive dance sequences and energetic soundtrack complement one another perfectly.

Rashid films the movie in a simple way, with gritty and raw footage that sets just the right tone for the movie. In addition, the acting is notable for the fresh young cast. Though Wesley does a stunning job in her film debut, the rest of the cast puts in performances of equal merit.

While How She Move is as predictable as any “rags to riches” story, it manages to be hip and modern with engaging dance sequences and fresh, young actors. This energizing film may be placed at the top of the list of recent years’ dance-centered movies.