Inspirational life lessons I learned from dance movie taglines

There's nowt more inspiring a movie genre as the dance movie. Because, like, dancing is who I am. Here's what I've learned from dance movie taglines: prepare to have the shit inspired out of you.

This week sees the release of Honey 2, which - from what I can gather from the poster - is about a sexy woman with a chronic inability to keep her midriff covered. I'm joking of course - it's about a sexy woman with a chronic inability to NOT BE A SLAVE TO THE MUSIC.

You can learn a lot from dance movies. If you don't have time to watch them, you can probably learn just as much from their taglines. Here's what important life lessons they taught me.
Honey 2 (2011)



What I learned: In order to achieve anything in life, you have to go the full distance - every step of the way. Not halfway, all the way. Don't think you can only take three quarters of the steps required either - it's all or nothing. Do you really think the stars of Honey 2 got where they are today without taking every single step that was asked of them? Of course not. No step should be left unstepped.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
Feel The Noise (2007)



What I learned: Don't keep your dreams to yourself, let others know about what your desires are in life and don't be afraid to express yourself. If possible, be too loud and never stop telling others what your dreams are, whether it be to own a caravan or to make love on a woman. The more diverse your dream, the louder you should yell it at people.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? No.
Step Up (2006)



What I learned: If you've done wrong in the past, taking that first step is essential to get yourself back on track (though always remember to follow through and go every step of the way). This also applies to third, fourth and fifth chances, although any chances you're given after that, the message gets kind of diluted. You should probably try something different.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
Step Up 2 The Streets (2008)



What I learned: Life is all about the person you are, not the person you used to be. For example, I used to live in Essex, but now I'm better because I live in London. Also, I used to be on the sex offenders register, but under my new name, I can go as close to schools as I like and no one can do anything about it. Thanks, Step Up 2 The Streets!

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? No.
Streetdance 3D (2010)



What I learned: Believe in yourself and you can achieve anything (unless you're not very good at it). It's important to have a dream, you see. Sometimes I have this dream where I just lose it at work and spray everyone with machine gun fire until the blood starts seeping into my shoes. Then I wake up laughing. I think that's basically what the makers of Streetdance 3D were getting at here.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? No.
Save The Last Dance (2001)



What I learned: Damn, that's powerful stuff. I'm tearing up right now, you guys. Some might say this goes without saying - maybe because it's the same moral used at the end of every episode of every coming of age television show ever made - but Julia Stiles had the balls to say it anyway. Just be yourself. Someone should put that on a t-shirt or something. They'd sell loads of them.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Not really.
Save The Last Dance 2 (2006)



What I learned: You might think the best move, in terms of dancing at least, would be an awesome pop-lock, or a triple-spin landing in splitsies, or that one where you slide along on your head. But no: the best move is not letting your head govern your heart. The heart is like the body's sat-nav - it fucks up a few times and occasionally guides you into a car park, but it gets you where you want to go eventually.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
You Got Served (2004)



What I learned: Did Tony Montana get respect? Did Vito Corleone get respect? Did Tony Soprano get respect? The answer to all three of these questions is yes. They didn't ask for respect, they just took it. With crime. So, what the makers of You Got Served are essentially saying is that crime does pay. It pays in respect, which is priceless.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? No.
Take The Lead (2006)



What I learned: Be your own man. Or woman, if you're a woman. Fleetwood Mac said it best when they sang "You can go your own way", which was a song about orienteering but can also be applied to the wider facets of life. Don't be a sheep, be a wolf - kill the stupid sheep. The only time you should follow is when you're involved in dancing, and someone else is leading. Could get awkward otherwise.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
How She Move (2008)



What I learned: There's no point sitting on your arse waiting for Battlefield 3 to be released - you need to get up out of that chair and go and join a real war, mister. Again, there's talk of dreams and you being the catalyst for change in your life. The only time I would advise against setting your dreams in motion is if they are mental and so are you.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
Make It Happen (2008)



What I learned: This reminds me of the classic interchange between Woody and Wesley in touching basketball drama, White Men Can't Jump: "You might listen to Jimi, but you don't hear Jimi." Let the music take control of you, even if it does make you dance like a right spastic. It's a great motto to live by, but it does tend to lessen the impact when you sing it and end the words "...Thundercats are loose!" at the end.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
Shall We Dance? (2004)



What I learned: Be different. Think outside the box. All that shit. Look at Richard Gere, dancing in the rain. Society would frown on it, but doesn't he look happy? Of course, Richard is going to be cold and wet for a while, with a risk of pneumonia, and his clothes are going to be ruined, and his man-boobs are going to show through his shirt, but... actually, it's probably best you don't dance in the rain. That's just stupid.

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Yes.
Stomp The Yard (2007)



What I learned: I'm not entirely sure I understand this one. But it is a great way to end an argument. "Girlfriend, you know I can dance, and that's straight outta Truth University, yo! BOOM!"

Does it have a double-meaning about life and also dancing? Er...
There you go, now don't you just feel so inspired? Let's dance!