`STEP UP' TAKES TYPICAL ROMANCE A STEP BEYOND.

Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic

So much better than most street-meets-studio dance romances. Yet so much like all the others. That's ``Step Up'' for you. Go for the impressive moves. Tolerate the mediocre story.

Directed by the gifted choreographer Anne Fletcher (``Bring It On'') and starring two charismatic young actors, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, with dance talent to burn, ``Step Up'' is always a pleasure to watch. Fletcher insisted that all the cast members do their own dancing, and the marked difference this makes from similar films such as ``Take the Lead'' and ``Save the Last Dance'' is striking.

Though well-edited, ``Step's'' production numbers do full justice to their rousing and quite difficult routines. No cutaways to faceless doubles here, just the beauty and high- flowing energy of fine movement.

Tatum, last seen wasting time with Amanda Bynes in ``She's the Man,'' and Dewan, a veteran of ``Take the Lead'' and numerous music videos, also give more to the dramatic moments than they deserve.

Tatum's Tyler is a troubled Baltimore foster kid who, when he's not proving he's the hottest white break dancer in the 'hood, steals cars and worse with his ghetto buddies.

Dewan's Nora is about to graduate from the Maryland School of the Arts, but her all-important Senior Showcase presentation is in jeopardy when her ballet partner sprains his ankle.

As luck would have it, Tyler gets busted for vandalizing the school and is sentenced to perform community service there.

While pushing his janitor's mop, he observes Nora's auditions of inadequate new partners. Tyler volunteers to step in, and although he has no formal training, he's sure got the strength and the rhythm Nora needs. But can the shiftless lad, whom we're constantly told has never finished anything he's started, stick out the rigorous rehearsal regimen?

Parents should be warned: Kissing ensues! There's more dire news for those who are offended by rote storytelling. Girl has a selfish boyfriend and guy's cronies think he's rejecting them, providing papier-mache obstacles to Nora and Tyler's inevitable hookup.

Secondary characters, played by r&b artist Mario and Drew Sidora, have their own romantic mini-drama. When Tyler can't decide what to do, a convenient sense-shaking tragedy is served up on cue.

The script, which was written by ``Last Dance's'' Duane Adler and ``The O.C.'s'' Melissa Rosenberg, does sidestep one irritating genre cliche, though. These movies usually take the pandering, fake-populist position that hip hop is a superior dance form to the more disciplined classical or ballroom varieties. Perhaps because director Fletcher knows better, formal and freestyle both get the respect they deserve in this show. That, too, is a nice step up from the norm.

Bob Strauss, [phone]

bob.strauss(at)dailynews.com

STEP UP - Two and one half stars

(PG-13: violence, language)

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Drew Sidora, Rachel Griffiths.

Director: Anne Fletcher.

Running time: 1 hr. 38 min.

Playing: In wide release.

In a nutshell: Terrific dancing makes this same-old-steps romance between a break-dancing street guy and wealthy ballerina worth watching.

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Photo:

Jenna Dewan, left, and Channing Tatum become unlikely dance partners in ``Step Up,'' which co-stars Rachel Griffiths, rear.