Breakin' [1984] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

The film itself is terribly acted, has a dreadful script and is shot with the same artful grace as an episode of 'Falcon Crest'. There are shocking continuity errors which just emphasises that the film was rushed out and packaged up to capitalise on the popularity of breakdancing during the early eighties. During the first 'battle' scene between 'Ozone'/'Turbo and 'Electro Rock', watch how a scowling member of the crowd (dude with huge afro) appears to magically appear in nearly every shot. The character, 'Kelly' (played by Lucinda Dickey, who you may now find shuffling around L.A pushing a supermarket trolley full of aluminium cans)is quite frankly, an embarrassment to the acting profession.

However, the importance of this film is the huge cultural impact it had on the many young people around the world who were fortunate to see it. Technically, this movie is about as bad as they come but I paid for a copy on DVD, as I will eternally be grateful to it because, like I said before, it changed my life.


Freakshow on the dancefloor!!   May 12, 2002
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Excellent!! - breakdance is a classic 80s flick that contains some wikkid music coutesy of ollie & jerry, The Bar kays, and Ice T (featuring chris 'the glove' taylor, of course). Seasoned theatrical dancer, Kelly, Is introduced to breakdancing by 2 friends (turbo & Ozone)and after being trained, faces breakin' battles againt the wily 'Electro Rock' crew, and eventually, their place in the limelight. Overall, its a fun, enjoyable, funky film with some great characters and songs you'll love to bits! - the sequel, 'Electric Boogaloo' Isnt as good as this, but the hospital sequence is excellent! Buy, electro fans!


BREAKIN'...... The Ultimate Dance Movie   November 3, 2004
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

BREAKIN' is quite simply the best dance movie to come out of the wonderous 1980's. It was released in cinemas in 1984 and starred Lucinda Dickey(NINJA III: THE DOMINATION)as a classical dance student who quickly bores of her mundane classes and the seedy attempts by her dance teacher (Ben Lokey) to seduce her. One day her friend from dance class Phineas Newborn III introduces her to the local breakdancing scene held on venice beach. Kelly befriends Ozone and Turbo the two master street dancers on the scene, who after being defeated by a rival gang, the Electro Rocks, teach Kelly how to breakdance. The trio then take the rival gang on and win. Meanwhile Kelly also has had many dissapointing dance auditions via her talent agent James played by Christopher McDonald. When Kelly tells James she wants her two breakdancing friends to enter for a big time audition with her, he is dubious and so is the entire dance world. But all this aside, the body popping trio over ride the system and get into the audition and end up in a really big dance show. BREAKIN' like Flasdance (1983) is pretty much the same story but with a much more light hearted feel to it. Flashdance is drama. BREAKIN'is a feel good movie which the whole family can watch. It's also a terrific part of the 80's. BREAKIN' in europe is titled Breakdance and sometimes Breakdance The Movie.


breakdance,20 years on still a must see film   April 23, 2003
leezaal (sommerset,uk)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

lucinda dickey(kelly k),adolfo quinones(ozone).michael"boogaloo shrimp"chambers(turbo)
head the cast in this vibrant,colourfull dance movie.
The music includes ice-t,the barkays,ollie & jerry george kranz and even kraftwerk.
This movie is funky & fun and contains some of the best breakin moves still copied to this day!.
Coupled with great performances from ben lokey,lucinda dickey and chistopher macdonald make this one of my all time fav films.
The movie must have been quite a gamble at the time of its making but one which in my opinon,paid off.
If breakin was never your thing don't simply dismiss this film give it a try,i guarantee you will leave it with a smile on your face.


Hail Hail the net !   December 8, 2003
nicky whyte
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

As a fromer b boy and hip hop fanatic, i am stoked to find BREAKDANCE THE MOVIE after all this time. I had it recorded of the tv, about 15 years ago and lost it through time, and nobody had any idea of what i was talking about when i was searching for a copy, until i hit the 'find' button on my pc........now im in breaking heaven once more. Listen to me cats, if you aint seen this movie, you have to.........believe me, this movie has it all, music, moves and a deep story to tell...........and OMG, you have to check out Turbo and his fantazia styly scene in this. A real 'tour de force'
Keep poppin.........Herbz