Article written by Kaylene Pomana Jones featured in PRODANCE August 2004

Honey sets the pace with its pumping soundtrack and impressive hip hop and break moves. It’s less cheesy than “Flashdance”, sexier than “Dirty Dancing” with more choreographic spectrum than “Save The Last Dance” so it’s worth a look. Jessica Alba (Dark Angel, Beverly Hills 90210, Flipper) plays Honey Daniels, the Bronx Community Centre dance teacher who dreams of making it big as a music video choreographer. She is discovered while dancing in a nightclub by Director Michael Ellis (David Moscow) who offers her a big break choreographing a music video for an up and coming rap artist .

Honey endures a myriad of personal hiccups such as keeping sweet with best friend Gina (Joy Bryant ) disapproval from her mother (Lonette McKee), getting jiggy with local Barber Chaz (Mekhi Phifer), whilst playing mother hen to brothers Benny (Lil' Romeo – not to be confused with Lil Bow Wow who is no relation to Snoop Dogg) and super cutie Raymond (Zachary Williams).

Everything is rosy until Director Michael (the bad guy) comes on to “I’m not that kind of girl” Honey (the good girl) who is subsequently blacklisted from the dance community when she refuses his advances.

Meanwhile there are cameos galore. If you blink you’ll miss Missy – Elliott that is. The reigning queen of hip hop who steals the show with her two brief but hilariously funny appearances. Then there’s Missy Elliott’s protege Tweet, followed by a menagerie of heavyweights including Ginuwine, Shawn Desman, Jadakiss & Sheek, Rodney Jerkins, and Silkk. Even Jessica Alba’s dog makes its debut.

Overall the story is too good to be true and so saccharin sweet that it lacks credibility (unless you still believe in Santa). But hey, the music rocks so the soundtrack deserves a special mention.

Kicking off with “Hurt Something” from Missy, followed by Blaque’s hip shakin’ “I’m Good” and the effervescent Sean Paul’s “Gimme the Light”, it’s chocolate covered Hip Hop on a stick. Other notable performances include Jadakiss & Sheek with their sexy “J-A-D-A” topped off with the theme song “I Believe” sung with conviction by gospel legend Yolanda Adams.

Accolades go to choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson who plays Honey’s rival Katrina (the bad girl). Laurie Ann is being hailed as the Messiah of Hip Hop for her extreme makeover of Jessica Alba from unco to pro in less than 3 months.

In addition Laurie Ann provides a “Make Your Move – Dance Like Honey” featurette on the DVD which appears alongside 16 deleted scenes, music videos, behind the scenes of Honey and a nauseating feature commentary by mutual admiration society Alba and Woodruff.

But if that doesn’t satisfy your appetite for RNB music and Hip Hop dance, then make your way to a Hip Hop/Funk class near you for a taste of the real thing – no sugar added.