by Aaron Grayson
Brotherhood. That’s what “Stomp the Yard” is all about.
On January 12, Columbia Pictures released the high-energy musical drama “Stomp the Yard,” which was ranked #1 in the box office. This film chronicles the story of DJ, played by Columbus Short, a young man from Los Angeles who uses his gift of break dancing to win money in battles. One day he, his brother Duron (Chris Brown), and some friends travel to the other side of town to battle a group who is undefeated on their turf. They win the battle, but the group challenges them to a rematch. Not listening to the his brother or the rest of his group, he rashly accepts the rematch. Although they win the battle and the cash, the dance group that they defeated finds them walking along the train tracks, ambushes them to get their money back, and fatally shoots Duron.
A few months later, DJ gets readies to enroll in the fictitious Truth University, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Still bitter about indirectly causing the death of his brother by accepting the rematch battle, DJ finds college life rough. However, after meeting his future love interest in the film, April (played by Meagan Good) and some friends, he finds college life a bit easier to handle. However, upperclassman Grant (played by Darrin DeWitt Henson), soon-to-be Big Brother of the Mu Gamma Xi fraternity finds DJ a thorn in his side since he has his eyes on Grant’s girlfriend. Although the girlfriend happens to be April, it doesn’t stop DJ from pursuing her.
Later, DJ’s roommate tells him about a local dance club, and naturally DJ finds it as a perfect place to show what he’s got. However, Grant notices him, tells him to stay away from April, and tells him that battling in the club is an upperclassmen-only affair. Even though he’s warned, he battles anyway, and in the process gains school-wide fame for his dancing, much to Grant’s chagrin.
Much happens to DJ in the following weeks. He soon starts dating April, which appalls Grant since he thinks he is “the best thing that’s ever happened to her.” He also pledges to Theta Nu Theta fraternity, which has lost in the nationals every year to Mu Gamma Xi for the past seven years. DJ adds some new flavor to Theta’s structured routines with his raw, freestyle moves. As his new fraternity continually prepares for the nationals, DJ slowly sheds off his former selfish skin, and realizes that a fraternity is a brotherhood for life, and that when everyone acts as a unit and in the interest of their fellow man, you build yourself into a better man.
For those of you who haven’t seen the movie yet and don’t want the ending spoiled, your wish has been granted. Be sure then to keep your eyes peeled for “Stomp the Yard” to come out on DVD in the next month or so.
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