Movie Review: Honey

Hey, who knew that the hot chick from "Dark Angel" could hip hop up a storm? Jessica Alba displays her "Fly Girl" abilities to the max in her new film Honey.

Honey Daniels (Jessica Alba) is a hot hip hop dancer from the NYC ghetto who works in a bar at night and teaches hip hop to kids at a community center during the day. Her life is turned upside down when she's discovered by a happening music-video director (David Moscow) who puts her to work choreographing videos for some of the hottest talent.

While she is courted by local barbershop owner Chaz (Mekhi Phifer), Honey's dream job starts cutting into her work with kids and her friendship with BFF Gina (Joy Bryant). She's especially worried about young Benny (Lil' Romeo) who is on the edge of joining a drug-selling gang. When her boss tries to get her to sleep with him or be blacklisted from the business, Honey decides to do her own thang! She trains her dance students to put on a big talent show to raise money for her dance studio and succeeds. Soon, she's choreographing on her own and the kids are livin' clean.

Okay, you've seen it before, Flashdance, Fame, any number of films about wanna-be-hittin'-the-bigtime dancers, singers, followin' that dream etc. But this movie has a good heart, a lot of well-choreographed dance numbers and tons of guest hip hop artists like Lil' Romeo, Tweet, Missy Elliott and Ginuwine. You get to see t.v.'s "Dark Angel" in a whole new light and she really shines brightly! Jessica Alba is adorable, hot, talented and shows us here that she has a good shot at a movie career. I give props to supporting actors who are good in their roles and guest shots from hip hoppers that are fun to watch.

There is the cliché "price of fame" message, as Honey starts to lose her best friend and defy her parents, etc. But, if you don't go to the film expecting a totally fresh story, you'll enjoy it a lot. Good, tunes, fun choreography, some hot talent and a good soul are sometimes enough to justify the price of admission. Such is the case with Honey.. go and snap and groove.

For a hip hoppin' good time despite a less than fresh story.. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.