Breakin' (1984) User Reviews

So much to deride, yet even more to love. Classic eighties cheese-fest

[Ruskington · 7/10 · 13 April 2020]

Make no mistake, this is a truly awful film in almost every way. The storyline is abysmal, the characters are horribly flimsy and the acting is as bad as you'll ever see. Yet despite all this, the amazing dancing and brilliant soundtrack make this film it not just watchable, but actually very enjoyable.

Adolfo Quinones and Michael Chambers are clearly dancers first and actors second. And honestly, that's fine. Their extreme cheesiness actually gives this film a certain degree of character and charm- a definite case of 'so bad, it's good'. Both men are amazingly charismatic dancers, with brilliant facial expressions and highly inventive routines. Quinones displays a spectacular array of techniques throughout the film and the famous 'Turbo Broom Dance' is arguably one of the most iconic dance scenes in movie history.

Lucinda Dickey is a truly appalling actor and every line she delivers makes me wince so much I can feel my retinas detach slightly. Phineas Newborn III takes campness to a new level and gives Dickey a run for her money as the worst actor of the 20th century. These two are such a laughably wretched combination that they essentially become a comedy double act.

I cannot think of another film that is so bad yet so much fun to watch. I have seen Breakin' countless times and can't imagine ever getting bored of it.

Cheesy

[utgard14 · 5/10 · 4 January 2014]

Formula dance movie with the distinctly '80s flavor of break dancing added to it. Aspiring jazz dancer Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) teams up with two street dancers, Ozone (Adolfo Quinones) and Turbo (Michael Chambers). They prepare for the inevitable "big audition," as well as dealing with Kelly's villainous former dance instructor and a rival street dance crew. The tension with the rival crew named Electro Rock provides for the movie's most unintentionally hilarious scenes. It's hard to take that crap seriously. Several dangling plot lines are left unresolved, which shows you how much attention was paid to the script. Turbo has a dance number with a broom where you can see the wires attached to the broom handle, which shows how much attention was paid to direction. Objectively, it's a bad movie but not without its charms. Corny in the extreme but some genuinely entertaining moments, as well as some laughs to be had at its expense.

Fascinating musical time capsule

[sgmi-53579 · 7/10 · 9 May 2022]

Way better than it has a right to be, this well photographed and charming 80s fable takes us back to a simpler time, with the dawn of the break dancing phase, and a great soundtrack. For those who lived this era, want to learn about this era, or just enjoy fun 80s nostalgia, this is recommended. The dancing scenes are often spectacular.

A glimpse of what hip hop was to become

[John Book · 16 June 2000]

Back in 1984, hip hop as a social phenomenon didn't exist. Hip hop was still the "trendy" music from New York City that somehow was gaining the attention of Hollywood. For some, it was great, for others it was the beginning of something that has yet to be recaptured, the innocence of a new and fresh musical artform, and a culture.

Nonetheless, "Breakin'" is a film that takes place in California where Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) is hoping to make it with her dancing. He goes to the beach and catches a dance routine with a few breakdancers, Turbo and Ozone. She loves it, and eventually becomes their friend. One of them finds her attractive, the other chooses to pop his way through life. Kelly's family doesn't want her to be hanging around with the "hoodlums", but Turbo and Ozone simply want to hang out and have fun. Kelly finds herself learning the street-style of dance, and treats it as a serious artform rather than a bunch of guys dancing on cardboard for the hell of it. Looking back, it seems very much like a Hollywood version of what can really happen when two cultures clash (shades of "West Side Story"), but the film has good music, good dancing, a decent story, and it looks back at a time when hip hop as a whole was trying its hardest to gain respect.

Five extra points for Lucinda Dickey, who was easily one of the more beautiful actresses of the 80's.

an absolute classic

[mr_facehead · 6/10 · 28 March 2006]

this film, really is bad. if you're not a light hearted person, this film will make you feel awkward, in the way that you are annoyed about wasting an hour and a half, as it's not as good as i enjoyed it.

Why i liked it: it's poor quality of film was quite humorous. it had some funny dance moves. it had well good dancing, i really like break dancing, which is why i got this film.

however, please don't mistake this for something good, it isn't. What the hell was the story, to me, this film was a load of random scenes of break dancing, and funny dialogue. i also want to know where this is set, some sort of magic land where everything is settled with dance. can you imagine someone attacking you in the street, by dancing in a comical fashion?

me and my brother had cardboard laid out in the garden for about a month after we saw this, but you may act differently.

Revenge of the 80's: The Break dancing fad flick.

[Captain_Couth · 5/10 · 29 October 2003]

Breakin'(1984) is one of the first mainstream movies to capitalize on the early to mid 80's break dancing craze. The movie itself is terrible. The acting is amateurish, the direction is flaccid and the writing is basically crap but Lucinda's looking good. Man does she fill out a leotard. Whew! This movie was "filmed" back to back with Breakin' 2: The Electric Boogaloo. In the very beginning of the film you can spot future stars Lela Rochon and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Teresa Laughlin (Billy Jack series) has a small part in the first scene as Kelly's friend.

Recommended for 80's nostalgia fans and Lucinda Dickey admirers.

B

What happens when street dancing is mixed with theater dancing?

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 9 January 2007]

"Breakin" was the west coast version of "Beat Street". "Breakin" came complete with pop-locking, break dancing, battling, trash talking, rapping, and oh yeah... terrible outfits; all of the elements that made the 80's endearing to some and loathsome to others. Unlike "Beat Street", "Breakin'" explored what would happen when street dancing actually mixed with traditional theater/stage dancing.

Break dancers, Ozone (Adolfo Quinones) and Turbo (Michael Chambers) are regular urban street dancers just practicing for the next battle until they meet Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) a performing arts dancer. What happens when street dancing mixes with performing arts dancing? This is where the separation occurs between the purists (on either side) and the non-purists. The purists for both street dancing and performing arts dancing abhorred the adulteration of their style of dance, where as the non-purists adored the mixing of the two. Personally, to this day I can't decide which side of the fence I'm on. But either way, I was entertained. I've liked this movie for years, and will always like it for the sheer entertainment value. The acting wasn't that great nor was the script and the story wasn't much better, but they kept everything simple enough where it wouldn't draw too many jeers, and then there was dancin' and battlin'. This also happened to be the first screen siting of legendary rapper turned actor Ice-T.

Woeful

[gcd70 · 2/10 · 27 March 2008]

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

A gulity pleasure

[DunnDeeDaGreat · 8/10 · 17 September 2001]

Breakin may have been made for one sole purpose to cash in on the break dancing phase but it's still a great film. Yeah the plot 's a bit contrived but who cares the soundtrack and dancing are great and that's all that matters.

Breakin 1984

[blainsta · 7/10 · 13 May 2021]

Breakin ...what can we say...if you were on the scene at the time in 1984 it was massive although Beat Street the movie came out shortly after and was more gritty and realistic with better dancing but Breakin had an ok story and the radio tron scenes plus a few others were great plus Lucinda Dickey was WOW!! - unfortunately it started to evolve towards the end of the movie, heading towards the ridiculously awful Breakin 2 - electric Boogaloo which is a crying shame as it needed to go more radiotron scene and that's the reason Beat Street remains the stand out breakdancing movie as it stayed loyal to its roots...there was no Hollywood glam up!... Overall a good to average movie, growing up I watched the radiotron scenes a thousand times - but avoid Breakin 2 as it's just nauseating!!

This movie is worth watching for the breakdance scenes alone

[eminkl · 5/10 · 23 November 2019]

Breakin' portrays a classically trained dancer (Lucinda Dickey) as she is enraptured by the exciting new world of hip hop and breakdancing. There is a thin wisp of a plot about cultural clashes, but no one pretends this film is about anything other than choreographed movements.The acting is, to be absolutely honest, subpar and the storyline is as thick as mud, with the breakdancing scenes being given the job of covering the abscence, which is not working fully. I would suggest, however, that this movie is worth watching for the breakdance scenes alone, particularly the one involving Jean-Claude Van Damme.

pop and lock.

[johnnymovieboy · 8/10 · 15 May 2005]

A true b-movie classic... pop and lock it, baby. Everything about this movie is funny watching it today. The wardrobes are awesome. They're so bad that they're good. The acting is so stilted and straight that you can't help but dig it, and the storyline is very predictable, but somehow does the job, and gets you to remain interested in the story in a 80's kind of way. This whole film is almost camp now. But the Break dancing is off the chain... Breaking 2 - Electric Boogaloo is even better! I'm surprised movies used to be this simple? Amazing how times and movies change, seems like usually for the better if you're looking at it from a modern sensibility. It's dated, but totally cool and fun to watch with friends...

If you're under 40, you might not relate

[wktsnqms · 7/10 · 17 February 2023]

I can remember being an 11 year old, and my sister taking me to see it at Evergreen Plaza in Chicago (same summer as Karate Kid and Purple Rain), and how happy it made me. Was it a great movie? I'd be lying if I said it was. But it was full of feel good moments, & that was pretty acceptable in a more simpler time. The dancing was top notch, however, along with the choreography. I'm pretty sure it was Ice T's first big screen appearance as well. My rating is very nostalgia influenced and based on my personal experience. And many in my age range probably thought it was corny, especially compared to Beat Street, which was a totally different vibe than this. But the soundtrack had some memorable tracks, and it was a typical 80's movie. It's remarkable that things have changed so much, and it's impossible to watch a movie like this and not feel that way.

As hard core and 'street' as an episode of "Diff'rent Strokes".

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 17 September 2018]

I bucked convention and saw this movie's sequel, "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" first. Well, no biggie...and don't worry if you cannot see this saga in its proper order.

Like the sequel, this film is an amazing window into the garish 1980s. I remember the decade well...and can remember many of the insane fashions in the movie. Fortunately, my two daughters don't know about this movie...otherwise they'd tease me incessantly about it! But, if you can ignore that there's hardly any plot and the dialog is god-awful, you can enjoy a trip down memory lane...especially since some of the dancing is actually very good.

The story is about a whitebread sort of lady, Kelly (Lucinda Dickey), who has been taking dance classes but learns about street dancing...breakin'. Soon she makes friends with some of these dancers and she's finds her true calling with break dancing. While there might be a bit more to the movie than this...there isn't much. Mostly, it's one dance number after another after another and the film clearly could have used more substance.

By the way, if you do watch it, look for a couple things. First, in the dance where the guy is dancing with a broom, notice that there are wires on the brook...not too cleverly hidden ones at that. Second, although he later cultivated a tough street-kid image, Ice-T is in this one and his rapping is pretty lame compared to what fans later came to expect. I like this singer/actor...but know he must cringe whenever the film is aired on TV.

Breakin',a time warp of fun and classic tunes

[KrystalKeller80 · 19 December 2003]

Breakin' is by far the best dance movie ever to come from the 80's. It has everything, classic soundtrack featuring Ollie & Jerry & Firefox, the incredibly talented Lucinda Dickey, Unforgettable dance sequences, An uplifting and feel good story and it started a dance craze that spread across the entire world.

It tells the story of Kelly, a dance student who tires of dance classes and is introduced to street dancing through the two master breakers on the scene Ozone & Turbo.

Kelly soon learns all the Breakin' moves and the trio set off to win an all time dance contest.

The sequel to this movie unfortunately lacks all that this one has but with a box office hit like this the sequel dosn't really matter. Forget beat street and all those other lame hip hop movies, this is the all time slice of original unique dance movie making which has so much chemistry between the main cast, you can't help but like and relate to Turbo,Kelly & Ozone.

If you have'nt yet seen this classic cult movie then i sugest you do so coz you really are missing out on a hell of a great nights entertainment.

Appreciates Hip-Hop culture. overall a lot of fun with great dancers and music!

[louisfoster · 7/10 · 11 December 2016]

It comes with no surprise that 'Breakin' has a low-rating score; the cast is predominantly made up of dancers with little experience in acting, however, the main goal of this film is not to please the audience with outstanding performances, at least not acting, but dancing, yes!

This film pays homage to the Hip-Hop culture of the 80s and the streetdance styles that thrived within many communities, preventing kids on the street from getting involved with drugs, guns and violence, which ultimately saved a lot of lives. 'Breakin' also touches on the stereotypes of streetancers in conjunction with the theatrical arts (such as 'ballet'), which was more respected and seen as 'classy'.

'Breakin' does not have a complex plot that is too complicated for the audience to understand, as the main focus is the dancing itself. If you approach this film expecting a magnificent plot and great acting, then this film is not for you. It is simply a bit of 'fun', with a cast of highly talented streedancers that pioneered/contributed massively to their styles of dance, so if you are someone that connects or knows a lot about streetdance/Hip-Hop culture, or lived throughout this lifestyle in the 80s, then this film will really hit home and resonate with you on a nostalgic level.

as a kid in the theater, 10. 20-some years later, 2 (+1 for nostalgia)

[bwhyte17 · 3/10 · 25 July 2006]

Man, oh man. I remember seeing this movie when I was about six with my mom and thinking "Turbo is the coolest thing EVER." Of course, my friends and I were break dancing outside (with or without cardboard) for the next several months. Spiked bracelets and adidas ruled the day. My wife and I rented the movie a year ago and it completely stunk. Where the hell do Ozone and Turbo live, in a garage? They're two grown men; to whose home is their garage attached? Why does Turbo dislike Special K? Is it because she becomes lovey-dovey with Ozone? Is the reason for the hatred at all related to the flamingly gay dude with the pink leotard that shows up EVERYWHERE Ozone and Turbo go? It's great to watch this movie to recall the good ol' days and maybe to see some pretty good breakin, but as a film it truly sucks b*lls.

A great time to be alive

[BandSAboutMovies · 7/10 · 9 March 2022]

Whether you know this movie as Breakin', Breakdance the Movie or Break Street '84, this film was inspired by a documentary named Breakin' 'n' Enterin', which told the true story of the talent at the Los Angeles hip hop club Radio-Tron, which included Ice-T and Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers, both of whom appear here.

Menahem Golan's daughter saw breakdancers perform in Venice Beach and was so excited that her enthusiasm inspired him to rush this movie into theaters, hoping to beat Beat Street. This would not be the last time that Golan was in a mad rush to get a dance-themed movie on screens before anyone else.

Kelly "Special K" Bennett (Lucinda Dickey, a Cannon all-star who is also in this film's sequel and the magical Ninja 3: The Domination) is training to be a dancer under the direction of Franco (Ben Lokey). To help keep her inspired, her friend Adam (Phineas Newborn III) introduces her to Orlando "Ozone" Barco (Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quiñones) and Tony "Turbo" Ainley (Chambers), two breakdancers who are self-trained and have their own unique style unlike anything she's seen in dance school.

Kelly is met with disdain by everyone when she attempts to bring their energy into the world of dance. And then Franco gets way too intimate with her, so she quits training and becomes a breakdancer, upsetting the rich side of her life but fulfilling her spirit as she and the newly formed T. K. O. Crew defeat other dance teams like Electro Rock and her manager James Wilcox (Christopher McDonald, who I will always just call Shooter McGavin) starts seeing dollar signs.

Can Kelly unite art and the street? Of course, the story is very basic. But it's the sheer joy of seeing this dance on screen, the amazing soundtrack - which has everyone from Rufus and Chaka Khan, Kraftwerk, Art of Noise, Hot Streak and Ollie & Jerry - and the time capsule 80s nature of this movie that make it a winner. Somehow, Cannon would top it with the sequel, somehow, someway.

Critics were all over this movie's lack of a story, but who cares? We're here for the music and the dancing choereographed by West Side Story dancer Jamie Rogers. It's also one of the rare times when Cannon was making the trend instead of trying to be part of one.

Israeli director Joel Silberg went from this movie to a spiritual third film in the series, Rappin', as well as Lambada, which was choreographed by Shabba-Doo. That movie - and its competition The Forbidden Dance - is a story we'll get to soon.

Breakin' is the final Cannon film production released by MGM/UA - to find out why, check out Bolero - which made Cannon become its own distribution company again. I wonder if MGM/UA had second thoughts, because Cannon turned this $1.2 million dollar movie into $38.7 million dollars at the box office. Breakin' opened at number one and even outgrossed Sixteen Candles, which played on two hundred more screens in their first week.

Also, you probaby already know that this is Jean Claude Van Damme's first movie appearance. He's on the beach dancing next to Michel Qissi, who would be his rival Tong Po in Kickboxer. We should all aspire to the same joy that Van Damme has in this scene.

A classic?!

[fukanesedragon · 2/10 · 6 August 2001]

This film is a classic? What you been smokin' girl?! I decided to give this movie a 2 star rating out of 10 because at least it is very funny. This is probably the funniest movie ever without trying. The cheesy eighties clothing that is trying to pass for street clothing of the period was great! If you like to watch movies strictly for the cheese factor and horrible acting, then this is the movie for you. Break it down Bobby Brown!

"Rocky," only the sport is break dancing.

[heilborn · 9/10 · 20 February 2004]

The plot is simple, the acting is spare, but the dancing, which is the whole reason for the show, is exceptional and still fresh after 20 years. If you love dancing, give a view. If you love dancing, it won't disappoint you.

Electric 80s

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 September 2018]

Kelly Bennett is a modern dancer pushing twenty struggling to get anywhere. Classmate Adam brings her to Venice Beach where she meets his friends Orlando "Ozone" and Tony "Turbo". Ozone gives her the name Special K. She leaves her class after her teacher Franco makes a pass. Ozone and Turbo get challenged in the streets. They answer them at the club in a break dance off but they are defeated when their rival brings on a girl. Kelly's agent James is against her dancing in the streets although she insists on dancing with Ozone and Turbo. After Kelly and the guys win the rematch at the club, James tries to get them into a competition but are blocked by Franco.

This is 80's at its most fantascheesiest. The guys are sincere. Turbo is fun. The break dancing is fun. Lucinda with her short hair is one of the babes of the 80s. Ice T does some rapping. There is the charm of something new and the sweetness of unadulterated effort. Honestly, I don't know if I saw it back in the day but I definitely saw the truly cheesy Electric Boogaloo. The story itself is standard fare. The sexual harassment story is compelling. Orlando has an awkward crush on Kelly. Kelly is clueless which fits Lucinda's acting level. The general acting level is limited but they get the job done. Mostly, the trio's chemistry is terrific and it's a fun 80's dance movie.

Vigilante Break Dancers

[vertigo_14 · 5/10 · 22 February 2004]

This is possibly the gayest movie I've ever seen. But so what? I mean, that was the whole style of the day right? And this certainly is a dated movie. Jazz dancing and break dancing are both pretty passe (even though break dancing never officially went extinct). And a movie complete with break dancing fights, hopeless slang, and guys who's pants were so tight you can tell what side they tuck on, that would be enough to make me pass up a movie like this.

But there's something fun about Breakin'. People loving to do what they do, and their vigilance takes them all the way to some contest where they get to show up a bunch of suits. It was certainly corny, and yes, the acting was laid on pretty thick, but it was all about break dancing...so if you like that sort of thing, just sit back and have a bit of fun. I doubt you'll see anything it anymore.

bringing back the memories

[gjxsdda · 10/10 · 19 October 2006]

well as an adult watching back on what i used too do myself in the streets of NYC. This movie brought back memories i thought i had forgotten.Ozone and Turbo inspired me and it rekindled what i had lost as a child now as an adult.Memories last a lifetime and i wish i was back in the 80's again!I sit here now as adult wondering where my childhood idols are at now.Trying too think where all this time went, Being able too look up there Bio's is cool.Just wish that breakn'3 could have been made,that would be something truly unique.The movie was very in-depth of how it was growing up back then dancing in the streets and wondering if our dreams of making it big would come true. Just to get out and experience what life on the other side could have been like for a child in the hood.

Rock it to lock it!

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 25 June 2022]

The pretty Lucinda Dickey plays Kelly, a young woman yearning to make it big as a dancer, but serves tables in a diner to pay the bills. One day, she meets the charming street dancers Ozone (Adolfo Quinones) and Turbo (Michael Chambers). Once the three of them start combining their moves, they're an unstoppable force.

There really isn't much "story" here, but in a very-80s lark like "Breakin'", that hardly matters. It serves its purpose, cashing in on the breakdancing phase of the era, and is generally likeable, light, upbeat entertainment with a lot of impressive choreography and a peppy soundtrack. The acting may not be of the Oscar-baiting variety, but it's perfectly engaging, with Kelly, Ozone, and Turbo the kind of protagonists for whom it's easy to root. They will have nemeses to contend with: the snooty dance instructor Franco (Ben Lokey), and arrogant rivals "Electro Rock". A young Christopher McDonald co-stars, and he too is very likeable (playing James, Kelly's agent); this is at least several years before Jerk roles started taking dominance in his career.

"Breakin'" is good fun, and an ideal snapshot of street culture circa the mid-80s: the music, the dancing, the fashions, you name it. We even get to see a young Ice-T, making his film debut and cranking out rhymes at a fast clip. (You even get to see two other future stars, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Lela Rochon, as extras in the opening 10 minutes.) All in all, it's a good time for viewers looking for some nostalgia.

The sequel, "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo", followed close on its heels, but oddly enough, that one flopped while this first film was one of The Cannon Groups' bigger hits.

Seven out of 10.

Dance has evolved since this movie

[buffylup · 3/10 · 18 January 2013]

Don't watch the finalists in "So you think you can dance!" because it will spoil you to what dance has become.

The robot dances are nothing compared to what Cyrus can do. I actually think he's better than the "professionals" that help him in some sequences. Some of the smooth flowing "moon dances" still claim props, but the rest of the routines are boring now. Really, the other team in the krumping challenge walks off with the somersaults by the lead female protagonists. Haha, that's laughable.

This movie with time will eventually turn into a historical comedy. That's all.