STREETDANCE 2 (PG, 85 mins) ***
Starring Falk Hentschel, Sofia Boutella, Tom Conti, George Sampson. Directors: Max Giwa, Dania Pasquini.

There is no accounting for taste. Despite a contrived script and uneven performances, the 2010 British film StreetDance 3D found favour with home-grown audiences, amassing more than £10 million at the UK box office.

The dance sequences melded street and ballet styles with verve and included performances by Diversity and Flawless to a high-energy soundtrack.

Directors Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini treat us to more of the same with StreetDance 2, which recycles the linear plot of the first film, replacing the jetes and pirouettes with the swivelling hips of salsa and the tango.

The narrative may be second-hand but most of the cast is new – a motley crew of gym-toned girls and muscular boys with all the right moves but scant heartfelt emotion.

Talented street dancer Ash (Hentschel) seizes his one shot at glory during a high-profile competition but falls flat on his face in front of a booing crowd and reigning champions Invincible.

Dusting himself off, he meets wise-cracking Eddie (Sampson), who suggests they join forces to create a crew from around the world to dethrone Invincible.

So they criss-cross across Europe, seeking out the most imaginative, daring and supple performers.

Arriving in sun-dappled Paris, they meet bar owner Manu (Conti) and his sexy niece Eva (Boutella).

StreetDance 2 is energetic and undemanding, following a predictable narrative path.

Conti provides welcome comic relief, making clear to Ash the repercussions for letting down Eva.

Dialogue is simplistic and supporting characters are defined by signature moves rather than anything that could be considered personalities.

If audiences were willing to forgive the first StreetDance a multitude of screenwriting sins, then the second instalment should body-pop into their affections too.