USA, 2003
Director: Christopher B. Stokes
Cast:Marques Houston, Omarion
Score: **

You Got Served is a vehicle for hip-hop street dancing, in which very athletic and good-looking groups compete for money and respect.  Like most films of this nature, like the series of 1980 Breaking films, the plot is unbelievably infantile, the dialogue silly if not ridiculous and the drama outright pretentious.  Our two heroes Elgin (Marques Houston, IMX) and David (Omarion, B2K) must settle their differences before combining their efforts in beating out a white group to win the grand prize of $50,000 and an opportunity to dance in the Li’l Kim (she plays herself here) video.  You see, one is dating the other’s sister and…

That is as much there is to say about the plot except that Stokes’ film is extremely racist (against non-blacks).  But the climax, (the last 15 minutes) has everything going for it - an amazing soundtrack, spellbinding choreography and compelling performances.  But the viewer is forced to sit through 90 minutes of pure hell before getting to his part, and it just ain’t worth it!

GILBERT SEAH was born in Singapore and moved to Toronto in 1982. He is an engineer by profession, with a passion for the cinema. Since the age of 10, he has been to the movies almost daily. Having been brought up in the Asian, British and Canadian cultures, he is able to bring a distinct perspective to film.