Comeuppance Reviews Those of you who read this site regularly know that, aside from the usual action fare, we will review a classic 80's dance movie from time to time. Well, they don't get any more classic than Breakin', a gem of a movie that is well known for good reason.Kelly Bennett (Dickey) is a waitress who is an aspiring dancer. Strictly by chance, she witnesses the street dancing of Ozone (Quinones) and his buddy Turbo (Chambers) and her life is changed forever. She befriends the two, and just in the nick of time. A dance crew comprised of two men and one woman, the Electro Rock crew, has challenged them to a dance-off. But Ozone and Turbo must teach Kelly, now dubbed Special K, the ways of Breakin'.Now shed of her formal dance training, she goes to her agent James (McDonald) for his support. He is reluctant at first, but once he sees TKO, as they are now called (Get it? "Turbo, Kelly and Ozone". Clever) , he is won over. Plus a potential love rivalry between James, Ozone, and Kelly's former dance instructor Franco (Lokey) is making Kelly's life even more complicated, as is Ozone's hot temper and his loyalty to "the streets". Will TKO pop and lock their way to fame? Breakin' is nothing more than infectious, irresistible fun. It's filled with charm and 80's nostalgia, thanks to the music and clothing. There's plenty of creativity on display in the dance moves and the outfits. Plus it's positive. It really celebrates friendship and the can-do spirit. It comes from a time when battles were fought on the dance floor with moves, not on the streets with weapons. They truly don't make 'em like this anymore. That's why people gravitate to movies like this today. Because they are not making any more of them.Interestingly, because this is a Cannon film, a young Van Damme can be seen in a crowd scene clapping along to the beat and smiling away. Naturally, he's wearing a black wrestling singlet for no reason. He's not listed in the credits, but it's clearly him. Ice-T makes an appearance as the "Rap Talker" at the club Radiotron. His role would be highlighted a bit more in the follow-up film. Plus, this brings into focus that this movie isn't that far of a departure from the action films we normally watch. A Cannon movie featuring Van Damme, Christopher McDonald and Ice-T is pretty much par for the course for us. But instead of fight scenes, there are dance scenes, and the training sequences are to learn dance moves, not fighting moves. Two sides of a coin I tell ya.To compare this to some other movies we have on the site, Ben Lokey as Franco is very Roy Kieffer-like as the dance instructor, recalling Dance or Die (1987), the whole clash of "high" and "low" cultures aspect is also explored in Knights of the City (1985), and, while the soundtrack is good and vitally important, we felt the soundtrack to Body Rock (1984) was better because it had more memorable songs.Director Joel Silberg went on to direct Rappin' (1985) as well as Lambada (1990), so we know where his head is at. He did not go on to direct the Breakin' sequel however. But after Breakin' ends, there is a big on-screen announcement: "Coming Soon: Electric Boogaloo: The Dance Sensation of Tomorrow". So they knew then that there would be a sequel. There's just too much energy to be contained in one movie.It's colorful, fun, funny, and even heartwarming. What's not to like? Anyone who hasn't already seen Breakin' definitely should.for more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

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.

mr_facehead 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.

mrgentle1 Hi Guys.. I am a mid 70's child and remember Breakin quite fondly, some of the clothing worn and language used at the time may seem a little funny today, but the breathtaking dancing will live on forever. Its a shame that street dancing only lasted for a short while, real street dancing that is.I recently bought Breakin' on DVD. It has only just been released on DVD here is Australia. I was told by a friend that Michael 'Boogaloo Shrimp' Chambers had died. I know he went on to make a few other movies and starred in Sugar Ray's 'Fly' music video in the late 90's, but haven't heard or seen much of him after that. Can anyone help??