Chocolate City: Vegas Strip (2016)

Chocolate City: Vegas Strip Poster

The Chocolate City dancers come together to save their club from foreclosure. They decide to enter a national stripper competition, traveling all the way to Las Vegas to try their luck.

Introduction
"Chocolate City: Vegas Strip" is the follow up to "Chocolate City", which was released in 2015. This film caters mostly to the category of drama and dance, with a focus on the lives of male exotic dancers attempting to make a mark in the scintillating landscape of Las Vegas. Directed by Jean-Claude La Marre, the motion picture includes a star-studded cast, consisting of Michael Jai White, Robert Ri'chard, Ginuwine, and Mekhi Phifer, among others. The movie blends the allure of the male stripping market with underlying styles of ambition, family, and survival.

Plot Overview
The film begins with the main character, Michael McCoy (played by Robert Ri'chard), struggling to handle his financial resources and his family dedications. Michael, much better known as "Sexy Chocolate", chooses to take a big leap by moving his ambitions to an even grander stage-- the busy and competitive world of Las Vegas-- after discovering some local success in his hometown.

In Vegas, Michael and his fellow dancers from the original "Chocolate City" club join a nationwide stripper competition, where they are provided the possibility to win a large cash prize in addition to a rewarding spot in an elegant club. The high stakes of the contest provide the main tension of the movie, as each dancer not only completes versus numerous rival contestants however likewise fights their devils and the pressures of the industry.

As the competition heightens, relationships are tested, and commitments are questioned. The brotherhood between Michael and his fellow dancers, consisting of the experienced dancer and coach Princeton (Michael Jai White), becomes strained under the pressure of the contest and the intrinsic vices that Las Vegas provides.

Styles and Characters
"Chocolate City: Vegas Strip" explores styles of brotherhood, aspiration, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of fame and cash. The friendship in between Michael and his crew of dancers plays a main role, improving the drama and psychological depth of the movie.

Each character battles with their individual programs and inspirations. Michael, as the lead, is driven by the requirement to attend to his mom and brother, showcasing the human, relatable aspect behind the attractive façade of the stripping market. On the other hand, Princeton acts as the movie's assisting force, dealing with his own past and intending to secure a much better future for the group.

The motion picture likewise briefly touches upon the objectification and the ethical intricacies that individuals in the exotic dancing market may come across. It looks for to humanize the dancers, showing the audience the individual struggles and dreams that lie below their work personas.

Cinematography and Choreography
The movie is marked by its dynamic cinematography, which catches the energy and neon-lit atmosphere of Las Vegas. The dance series are a substantial highlight, with choreographed routines that are vibrant, sensual, and important to the film's appeal. These sequences permit the cast to display their skills beyond acting, as they execute intricately developed relocations that show the essence of the city's night life and entertainment scene.

Reception and Conclusion
"Chocolate City: Vegas Strip" received blended reviews from audiences and critics. While some applauded the film for its home entertainment worth and dance sequences, others criticized it for an absence of depth in storytelling and character advancement. Nevertheless, the film accommodates a specific audience, using a different viewpoint on an element of Las Vegas culture that is frequently overlooked.

Eventually, the film supplies a blend of drama, dance, and the attraction of the Sin City, welcoming viewers into the world of male unique dancing, linked with the dreams and trials of those within it. Whether it achieves its objective of humanizing its lead characters depends on the viewer, however it definitely does not shy away from shining a light on the Vegas strip showbiz with a touch of chocolate flavor.

Top Cast

  • Robert Ri'chard (small)
    Robert Ri'chard
    Michael McCoy
  • Vivica A. Fox (small)
    Vivica A. Fox
    Katherine McCoy
  • Ginuwine (small)
    Ginuwine
    Pharaoh
  • Melanie B (small)
    Melanie B
    Brandy
  • Mekhi Phifer (small)
    Mekhi Phifer
    Best Valentine
  • Willie Taylor
    Pretty Boy
  • Ernest Lee Thomas (small)
    Ernest Lee Thomas
    Mr. Williams
  • Michael Jai White (small)
    Michael Jai White
    Princeton
  • Imani Hakim (small)
    Imani Hakim
    Carmen
  • Darrin Henson (small)
    Darrin Henson
    Magnus
  • Michael Bolwaire (small)
    Michael Bolwaire
    Bolo