This review was a challenge from Brian to Benn.

This picture wasn't great, mostly because it tried to take us in places we've been down in movies several times. It was extremely cliched and rehashed. Fortunately, the movie was rehashing good material.

"Honey" is about Honey Daniels, a dancer from the Bronx, working in a record store and a bar, as she continues to attend audition after audition. She teaches Hip-Hop style dance at the local youth center, run by her parents, alongside a mother who wants to see her get out of the Bronx and do more with her life.

Eventually, as Honey's moves are caught on tape by a local music video scout for popular director Michael Ellis, she finds herself on the set of his latest project, and featured with several shots. Ellis continues to use her for big name performers and finally gives her the chance to choreograph for a couple. However, his intentions are soon revealed, as he tries to get Honey to sleep with him. Honey refuses and not only finds herself out of dance work, but blackballed from every other audition she goes on.

By this time, the center is in trouble--of course it is, and her parents have decided they can't continue running it. Honey wants to take it over, but doesn't have the money. She throws a benefit dance performance in an old church with her students. However, before the show, Ellis approaches her again to choreograph because he's directing the new Missy Elliot video, and ME is asking for Honey or no one. Of course, Honey refuses and ends up getting everything she ever wanted, even Missy Elliot attending her benefit.

The picture's lack of interest for me was in the lack of conflict. There was plenty conflict, yes, but at no point did we ever believe Honey would compromise her integrity to get want she desired. At one point, she alienates her good friend, but without her really realizing it. That happens. That's fine, but Ellis was a fairly smooth character and not horrible to look at, as men go. He waited until Honey became accustomed to the work and money before he asked her to sleep with him. I have a hard time believing Honey wouldn't at least THINK about it. It's Michael Ellis, for crying out loud!

Every step of the way, Honey was a brick wall of conviction, and at no time did I fear for her ingerity being compromised. Because of this, I had NO doubt she would get what she wanted in life, SO I couldn't feel bad for her. She was a good girl, and good things were bound to happen to her. That is the lack of conflict I meant earlier.

Jessica Alba (TV's Dark Angel) stars in the title role. She was very tough and unlike anything Alba I've seen before, which actually isn't much. David Moscow (Just Married) played director Ellis with a great angle. He held a ripe sense of arrogance for his character's work. Half the time, he's playing a Nintendo® Gameboy® while shooting, barely even watching the takes; very funny and well carried.

The performances of the movie as a whole were very good, and the choereography made the picture a delight, credited to the choreographer.

Director Billie Woodruff (Beauty Shop) had a keen sense of capturing dance sequences, but the rest of her material was so done before, her shot selection slipped into a very familiar style as well. I was not impresed for the most part.

Overall, "Honey" was fun to watch, but it had me consistently fighting off the evil demon of boring movies, "DozeOff - the Great!" There's a lot of great DVD extras with this movie, showing how they choreographed and stuff, if that's you're thing. There are some deleted scenes, but I'm sure I saw them before, so I didn't bother watching.

Alba is absolutely hot in this movie, so if you guys wanted to rent it for the wrong reasons, they are still good reasons. As for substance and originality, this picture is sure to go un-remembered.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?