Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Rexanne
It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny
Chilla Black
Anyone over a certain age may say that '84 was where it was at although for Break dancing in the UK it really became popular in the summer of '85. This movie and then the big Chaka Khan hit made that happen. I watched this movie back in 1984 and had not seen it since until now, 30 years later in 2014. I wont diss it with a cheap shot and dismiss it as being dated - that would be wack! The scenes depicted in this movie really makes you wish to have been there in L.A. back in those days. In saying that, west coast Hip Hop did not gain a lot of recognition during the 80s to be fair. Therefore taking that into account, the movie itself has some great hip hop culture elements and fantastic breakdance choreography. In particular the first challenge scene against the rival crew called 'Electro Rock'. Whilst Breakdance the movie does not go overboard on Hip Hop culture, and the street talk that was such a big part of that culture back then it still feels right but if you want an 80s street knowledge style Hip Hop movie watch Beat Street instead. Or just watch both if you want to find out about the mid 1980s. Soundtrack takes you right back too.
gcd70
Woeful, and blatant, attempt to cash in on the "Breakdance" craze that swept the western world in the early to mid-eighties.The script (from Allen DeBevoise, Gerald Scaife and Charles Parker) is a terrible "Flashdance" clone with street dancers Adolfo Quinones and Michael Chambers trying to get their big break on the stage, and show the world what they can do, with the help of classically trained hoofer Lucinda Dickey. The only thing worth watching is the dancing itself, with some well choreographed pieces blending easily with the natural 'breakin' talent.There is absolutely no acting prowess on show, and director Joel Silberg would be well advised to stick to putting up the money for someone else to run things. For something a little more down to earth and closer to reality, try "Beat Street". Music was penned by Gary Remal and Michael Boyd.Sunday, August 18, 1996 - Video
Stuart Elliott
I owned this movie on VHS when it was first released, way back when wearing one fluorescent green sock and one fluorescent yellow sock was considered normal. I have very fond memories of this movie, which have stayed with me for the last 23 years. Every now and again, something on the TV reminds me of Breakin' (or Breakdance, the movie as it was known here in the UK) and I have briefly thought of tracking a copy down on a few occasions, but I recently got around to doing it and now own it on DVD. Yes, let's face it, the movie is not exactly Oscar material. The acting is most of the time, dreadful, but you get the sense that they were really into their parts and enjoyed making the film, which along with the great soundtrack (how can you not love Kraftwerks amazing "Tour De France", or Chaka Khans "Ain't Nobody"?) and the brilliant dance sequences, more than make up for this. Watching this film again after all this time has obviously put me on a nostalgia trip, which is the only reason this gets 10 out of 10. I totally understand that 20 somethings watching this film for the first time must think it's truly awful, I guess you had to be there the first time to enjoy it the second.
lordjin
Remember the days when skin-tight leotards were accepted street clothing? What about jeans so tight that your cock and balls were on display to any and all? Do you remember the days when lookin' good on the cardboard meant more than money, more than fame, more than status? Do you long for the days when hip hop was just a baby and "fresh" really meant fresh (or funky fresh)? I do. That's why watching this movie, for me, was a tour-de-force of nostalgia! I love this dang movie. Sure, sure, at first you're overwhelmed by the moves, the music, the clothes, and Jean-Claude Van Damme.What? Jean-Claude Van Damme????? What the hell was that? It was only my third consecutive viewing that revealed his presence in the first Venice Beach scene. Needless to say, I laughed my proverbial ass off. I thought this was the gayest movie ever before noticing Jean-Claude!!! Now? Now I'm convinced! This is the GAYEST movie ever!!! But in a really good, fun, innocent way, know what I mean? I think that pretty much encapsulates the pop culture of the time. The movie is pure unintentional comedy, the best kind of comedy in my humble opinion. The dialog is cheesy, the acting cheesier, but the dancing is hype. That's what really got me. Turbo is amazing. His body is a living rubber-band (or was anyway). A fun game to play during the film is: "would you wear that outfit in public if someone paid you fifty bucks every time you wore it?" (The amount can be interchanged with a larger or smaller sum depending on the ridiculousness of the ensemble in question.) My final conclusion? I would wear the outfit Ozone sports to the wine-sniffing party for 200.00 a day. I mean, the hat is ridiculous, but fourteen hundred dollars a week? It's not that ridiculous.
