‘America’s Best Dance Crew 2’: Phresh Select’s banner falls

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The speed-up challenge didn’t do anybody any favors this week. Doesn’t seem like much of a challenge -- dance slow then dance fast -- but it was evident that the tempo change affected most of the crews, even if it was just mentally preparing for the transition. The creativity of Fanny Pak and Super Cr3w again puts the spotlight on the West Coast crews, but Supreme Soul also put themselves back in the running after some subpar performances. Here’s a quick crew recap:

Boogie Bots

I just don’t know, man. Last week’s video game-inspired performance put them in their element, and this week’s challenge, despite their claim of being able to dance fast or slow, definitely took them out of it. I got lost in their fast section, and their concept didn’t draw me in. Like Shane said, it can’t be like that ever again if you want to stay on the show. Portentous?

Super Cr3w

Still the front-runner, the golden crew was able to again throw in an homage to b-boys with spray-painted statues coming to life. Their fast part being breakdancing, it wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was clean and effective. Shane said that it was the first time he wasn’t blown away and urged the crew to ‘please keep me hyped on y’all.’ JC reiterated a simple message for the Vegas group: ‘We need to see you dancing.’ Their tricks are getting them over, but this wasn’t their finest hour.

ASIID

And So It Is Done did it well. Not the performance of the night (that goes to Fanny Pak), but their melding of dance and storytelling translated well enough to keep people interested. Their melding of hip-hop and ballet, and Joey’s frenetic energy impressed the judges as well with JC saying the group ‘really hit the slow part’ and Shane saying ‘this is what I’m talking about when I say a crew is hot.’ Lil Mama chimed in by calling deaf member Joey ‘the hardest boy’ in the group.

So Real Cru

The speed-up section downed them, like it did many others. Simple enough concept of getting the girl, but I, like Shane, wasn’t feeling it. Maybe JC’s comments about being able to tell that they ‘were thinking a lot’ and ‘didn’t sell it’ are the cause for our nonchalance, but I can see a bottom two in this crew’s future. Their fan base may be able to pull them out, but can only do so for so long.

Fanny Pak

Performance of the night, and probably the performance of the show for Fanny Pak. Their ‘80s high school prom poisoning theme was easily recognizable, the choreography was clean and sharp, the transition from fast to slow not only was seamless but also pushed the storyline along. Again, Glenda’s athleticism was also a big help in adding the trick aspect. From a couple of bottom finishes to the top in one show. That’s why we love it, though. But, like JC said, it was a little weird seeing guys doing the ‘booty shake’ dance.

Supreme Soul

Partying like rock stars this week. The rock theme of the music helped the crew out, forcing them to go hard during the fast and slow sections. Their choreography was together and tight and they threw in some flips and tricks to fill it out. JC liked that he saw hunger in their act and Shane said that it was the group’s best performance to date. Really? I’m more on Lil Mama’s side: ‘Y’all had some very sick aspects to your routine, but I wasn’t like ‘Wow!’ ‘

Phresh Select

They’re good guys. The hometown helpers in Philly, personable gentlemen all. But who came up with that choreography? The nerd thing with the mannequin could’ve worked, and I understand they were mimicking the stiffness of the girl, but their routine’s stiffness should not have been so evident. No real tricks, simple moves, and that ‘scorpion kick’ transition was not as great as the buildup. This challenge threw off most of the groups, and Phresh Select took the brunt of it. Back to the city of Brotherly Love, guys.

-- Jevon Phillips