America’s Best Dance Crew 2 [Episode 9]

August 21st, 2008

Here we are: America’s Best Dance Crew. The Final Two. The Championship Showdown.

Now, I’ve had a full week to come to terms with the wrongful elimination of Fanny Pak and so I’ve entered this week’s episode with an open mind. I am now willing to give SoReal Cru a chance. Maybe they do have what it takes to triumph over Super CR3W. Let’s find out…

The Championship Showdown began with the introduction of all the individual crew members, starting with SoReal Cru and then followed by Super CR3W. If America was voting on individual entrance stylings, Super CR3W would already win – they have more pizzazz. But no, this show is about dancing.

First up was Super CR3W with the Around the World Challenge, where they had to master universal dance moves while sticking true to their crew’s unique style. Both crews were given the same “mastermix.”

Super CR3W

What I like about this crew is that they’ve really taken JC’s critiques about the lack of actual dancing (in the classic sense) and have stepped up their game. Over the past few weeks, their routines have had a good, equal balance of amazing b-boy tricks and choreography – and this latest routine definitely showcased that. The pacing seemed a bit off at times (a big sluggish, low-energy?), but they somehow managed to be incredibly endearing.

Shane Sparks says this routine is the reason they are still on the show and that he loved it; Lil Mama says it was fun to watch, but that their formations off the top were confusing and that she thinks it could’ve been a little bit better and hopes they bring more energy for their next routines; JC Chasez says the performance grew and got better and better.

SoReal Cru

Um, what was that? I mean, it had good moments (the Indian section was fun with the detachable arms and all), but overall this was definitely not up to par. It seemed scattered and amateur. Unacceptable.

Lil Mama says they definitely struggled through out that entire performance; JC says it’s a tough challenge and there were moments where they did shine, but it wasn’t their best performance; Shane says this challenge shows rhythm and skill and that they seemed lost and that he kept waiting for something spectacular to happen.

Next up was the Original Dance Craze Challenge where both crews had to create a dance craze from the ground up, deciding on their own music, lyrics and choreography.

Super CR3W

I’m always up for a gimmick – and Super CR3W has definitely decided to ride that wave with their ‘S’ hand gesture, so why not write their song about it, right? Somehow, it worked. The routine itself wasn’t all that memorable, but the whole “S to the chest/S to the sky” dance craze was catchy enough. The next Crank That, anyone?

JC says the track was hilarious and reminded him of MC Hammer and that the dance is fun to do, but overall it was OK; Shane says that any dance he can look at and learn in 5 seconds is a hit dance, but it may have been the weakest performance they have ever done; Lil Mama says she thought it was smooth and catchy, but that she wants them to stop over-thinking their routines and to just perform.

SoReal Cru

So I wouldn’t necessarily say that SoReal Cru’s “Smash It Up” move could be an actual dance craze (I mean, there was no real context – they just kind of awkwardly punched their fists together), however their actual all around routine was better than Super CR3W’s (it pains me to say that).

Shane says that it was hot, easy, and that they kept with it the whole routine; Lil Mama says it was cool and that she enjoyed herself; JC says it was very smart and they made a comeback and that the score is 1-1.

Finally was the Last Chance Challenge, where both crews had to design a routine that shows why they deserve to win.

Super CR3W
Song: James Brown – Turn It Loose

Great song, great routine. The separate 2-by-2 sections were awesome and their amazing energy was infectious. This routine showcased that they really do love to perform and dance and that they truly have come a long way. Good on ya, Super CR3W.

SoReal Cru
Song: Lil Wayne – A Milli

I’m not sure what to say. The Hannibal reference off the top was fun, and the rest of the routine was danced well, but there was no spark, no hunger, no actual fire. Ugh – so annoying. I want to be floored every single time (Season 1 had no problem doing that), so what’s going on here? This was a good routine, but a Final Two routine? I’m afraid not.

Lil Mama says her favourite SoReal Cru moment of the season was their “snake charmer” from Week 3 and her favourite Super CR3W moment was their “Superman” routine, also from Week 3. And that both crews picked it up in their last performance this week.

Shane says that SoReal’s last performance was the best one they have given from a battling point of view and that every time Super CR3W got on stage, they ripped it. His favourite moments of the season were Super CR3W’s backflip off the stage in Week 6 and SoReal Cru’s head bobble move from Week 7.

JC says that his favourite SoReal Cru moment came from Week 2 when they did the “wavey fingers” during their Usher video challenge and that this week is the first time they approached their dancing as if it were a battle. His favourite Super CR3W moment was when they did the “ninja towers” in Week 1 and that they have no fear and do things that no one else can do.

If it were my pick, obviously I’d pick Super CR3W (well, I’d pick Fanny Pak, but that’s not possible now is it…)