RIZE

The first time you hear the subject of David LaChapelle's documentary, 'Rize,' it's easy to think you're being put on. See, it seems that there is a trend in some of the most dangerous areas of California where people, mainly teenagers, get together for hours on end and stage dance battles in the street, people's garages, and playgrounds. Their dancing is frenetic enough to warrant a disclaimer that the film has not been sped up, and the dancers proclaim this as not a fad but a way of life. Oh yes, and they dress like clowns, form clown gangs, do the occasional birthday party, and even have a yearly battle in a local sports stadium.

'Rize' is a look into this fascinating movement - called 'clowning' or 'crumping' depending on style - but it ultimately tries to cover too much ground. There is a lot to be said about the way this dance craze saves teenagers from becoming gang members, how the good things we do are not always rewarded, how growing up in a broken home is difficult, how friendship and mentorship change lives, how even niche interests can split into smaller factions, etc, but by including all of these issues and more, 'Rize' can never fully explore even one.

Even as the film fails as narrative, it has its share of compelling moments. One dancer, Dragon, is wise far beyond his years. The stories of both Tommy the Clown and Tight Eyez are inspiring. The sight of a 'Payless Caskets' store next to a dance studio is heartrending.

And the dancing? Well, it gets to be a bore at times, frankly. Some dancers appear as if they're merely feigning seizures, while others offer no variation whatsoever. Every few minutes, however, a dancer appears on screen whose moves are original and poetic and say more about who these people are than the film as a whole can ever hope to convey. Those moments alone are well worth the price of admission.

MAYBE SO (6/10)