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Breakin'
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| Breakin' | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joel Silberg |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Hanania Baer |
| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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Production companies | |
| Distributed by | MGM/UA Entertainment Company |
Release date |
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Running time | 87 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.2 million[2] |
| Box office | $38.7 million[2][3] |
Breakin' (also known as Breakdance in the United Kingdom and Break Street '84 in other regions[4]) is a 1984 American breakdancing-themed musical film directed by Joel Silberg and written by Charles Parker and Allen DeBevoise based on a story by Parker, DeBevoise and Gerald Scaife about dancer Alysha Williams.
The film's setting was inspired by a 1983 documentary titled Breakin' 'n' Enterin', set in the multi-racial hip hop club Radio-Tron, based out of MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.[5] Many of the artists and dancers from that documentary, including Ice-T (who makes his film debut as a club MC), and Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers, went straight from Breakin' 'n' Enterin' to star in Breakin'.
The film's soundtrack featured the hits "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" by Ollie & Jerry, "Freakshow on the Dance Floor" by The Bar-Kays and the UK Top 20 hit "Body Work" by Hot Streak.[6][7]
Breakin' was one of the final Cannon film productions released by MGM/UA. After release, MGM and Cannon dissolved their distribution deal, reportedly over the potentially X-rated content in John Derek's film Bolero and MGM's then-policy of not theatrically releasing X-rated material, forcing Cannon to become an in-house distribution company once again. Because of this, Breakin' is considered to be the final financially profitable film released by Cannon.
Breakin' was released to theaters on May 4, 1984, and despite receiving negative reviews from critics, it was a box office success. A theatrical sequel entitled Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo was released later in the same year.
Plot
[edit]Protagonist Kelly "Special K" Bennett is a young dancer training under instructor Franco in Venice, California. Through her friend Adam, Kelly meets two street dancers, Ozone and Turbo on the boardwalk at Venice Beach. Kelly is enamored with their dancing, and all three become friends. This leads to their becoming their own dance troupe.
Franco tells Kelly that breakdancing is low-class and not a real art. He is disrespectful to Ozone and Turbo, and makes inappropriate advances on Kelly. She quits training with Franco. Later, Kelly attends a dance audition and is shut down by harsh directors.
Kelly then wanders to a breakdancing event where she finds Ozone and Turbo in the midst of a dance battle that they eventually lose against rivals "Electro Rock." Adam convinces Ozone and Turbo to teach Kelly how to breakdance. After training for a while, the three defeat Electro Rock. Kelly convinces the troupe to enroll in a dance competition. Kelly's agent friend, James, sees what the group can do and agrees to back them.
The competition requirements are traditional, socially respected styles of dance. The troupe walks before the judges in tuxedos, top hats and white gloves to give the impression of traditional dancers. Just before the audition starts, they rip off the sleeves of their shirts and show their true style. The judges are initially shocked and disapproving, yet within two minutes of their audition, the judges recognize the troupe's talent and allow them to continue. The troupe earns a standing ovation from the judges and win the competition. The troupe's popularity skyrockets, and all three members continue dancing professionally and in the community.[8]
In a mid-credits scene, Special K, Ozone, and Turbo meet James some time after the competition, who informs them about a new phenomenon known as "the electric boogaloo."
Cast
[edit]- Lucinda Dickey as Kelly "Special K" Bennett
- Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quiñones as Orlando "Ozone" Barco
- Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers as Tony "Turbo" Ainley
- Ice T as Rap Talker
- Chris "The Glove" Taylor as Club Radiotron DJ
- Ben Lokey as Franco
- Christopher McDonald as James Wilcox
- Phineas Newborn III as Adam
- Vidal "Lil Coco" Rodriguez as "Hot Tot"
- Bruno "Pop N' Taco" Falcon as Electro Rock 1
- Timothy "Popin' Pete" Solomon as Electro Rock 2
- Ana "Lollipop" Sanchez as Electro Rock 3
- Cooley Jaxson as Himself, A Dancer
- Peter Bromilow as Judge
- Michel Qissi as Background Dancing Spectator (uncredited)
- Jean-Claude Van Damme as Spectator In First Dance Sequence (uncredited) [9]
- Richie Cerrone as "Lil R" Background Dancer (uncredited)
Production
[edit]According to the 2014 documentary Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, Menahem Golan of Cannon Films was inspired to create the film after his daughter saw a breakdancer perform in Venice Beach, California. Golan pressured the production crew to complete the film before Orion Pictures released its breakdancing film Beat Street.[citation needed]
Soundtrack
[edit]The film's soundtrack was released by Polydor Records in 1984.[10] The album contains the first album performance by rapper Ice-T, produced by DJ Chris "The Glove" Taylor and David Storrs.[11]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" | Ollie E. Brown, Jerry Knight | Ollie & Jerry | 4:34 |
| 2. | "Freakshow on the Dance Floor" | The Bar-Kays, Allen A. Jones | The Bar-Kays | 4:42 |
| 3. | "Body Work" | Curtis Hudson | Hot Streak | 4:22 |
| 4. | "99 ½" | John Fottman, Maxi Anderson | Carol Lynn Townes | 4:02 |
| 5. | "Showdown" | Ollie E. Brown, Joe Curiale | Ollie & Jerry | 3:57 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heart of the Beat" | Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight | 3V | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Street People" | Ollie E. Brown, Jerry Knight | Fire Fox | 3:23 |
| 3. | "Cut It" | Paul Fishman | Re-Flex | 3:11 |
| 4. | "Ain't Nobody" | Hawk Wolinski | Rufus and Chaka Khan | 4:45 |
| 5. | "Reckless" (Rap by Ice-T) | Chris "The Glove" Taylor, David Storrs | Chris "The Glove" Taylor & David Storrs | 3:57 |
The soundtrack album does not include several previously released songs that are heard in the film, such as "Boogie Down" by Al Jarreau, "Tour de France" by Kraftwerk, "Beat Box" by Art of Noise and "Tibetan Jam" by Chris "The Glove" Taylor.
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Release
[edit]Box office
[edit]Breakin' opened in 1,069 venues on May 4, 1984 and outgrossed Sixteen Candles, which had more screens (1,240), earning $6,047,686.[31] By the end of its run, the film grossed $38,682,707 at the domestic box office,[3] making it the 18th-top-grossing film of 1984.[32]
Critical reception
[edit]Roger Ebert awarded the film 1.5 stars out of 4, calling it "a stiff and awkward story, interrupted by dance sequences of astonishing grace and power."[8] Ebert praised the dancing and the chemistry of the stars but panned the screenplay and supporting characters.
Breakin' currently holds a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on nine reviews.[33]
Home media
[edit]On August 5, 2003, MGM Home Entertainment released Breakin' on DVD. On April 21, 2015, Shout! Factory released Breakin', along with its sequel, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo, as a double feature Blu-ray.
In popular culture
[edit]Several months before the film's release, Shabba Doo, Boogaloo Shrimp, Pop n' Taco, Popin' Pete, DJ Chris "The Glove" Taylor and Lollipop were all featured in the music video for Chaka Khan's remake of the 1979 Prince song "I Feel for You".
Ice-T, who had small roles in both Breakin' and its sequel Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and was featured on the soundtrack to both films, considers the film and his own performance in it to be "wack".[34]
In 2019, the documentary Boogaloo Shrimp by Taylor Golonka was released on Amazon Prime. It focuses on the life of Michael Chambers, who plays Turbo in Breakin'.[35]
References
[edit]- ^ "BREAKDANCE (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. May 4, 1984. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Andrew Yule, Hollywood a Go-Go: The True Story of the Cannon Film Empire, Sphere Books, 1987 p47
- ^ a b "Breakin' (1984)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ Silberg, Joel (April 6, 2009), Breakdance - The Movie, Second Sight Films Ltd., retrieved October 28, 2017
- ^ "Breakin' N Enterin' Documentary (Video)". Ambrosia For Heads. August 10, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "BBC Radio 2 - Pick of the Pops, 1983".
- ^ "HOT STREAK | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
- ^ a b Ebert, Roger. "Breakin' Movie Review & Film Summary (1984) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Jean-Claude van Damme". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ Breakin', Get On Down, November 22, 2011, retrieved October 28, 2017
- ^ "Breakin'". Allmusic.
- ^ "Breakin' - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984, 72 - PRC, Richmond Pressing, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1984.
- ^ Kent 1993, p. 283.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack – Breakin'" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6802". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack – Breakdance" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 1, no. 16/17. July 23, 1984. p. 12. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History. See last week column.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack – Breakin'" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Soundtrack – Breakdance". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Soundtrack – Breakdance". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Soundtrack – Breakin'". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Soundtrack Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ Kent 1993, p. 436.
- ^ "Top 100 Albums (January 3–December 29, 1984)" (PDF). Music Week. January 26, 1985. p. 42. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Top Pop Albums of 1984". Billboard. December 31, 1984. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Talent Almanac 1985 – Top Pop Album Soundtracks/Original Cast". Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-20. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Talent Almanac 1985 – Top Black Albums". Billboard. Vol. 96, no. 51. December 22, 1984. p. TA-22. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for May 4-6, 1984". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. May 7, 1984. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ^ "1984 Yearly Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo". www.boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ "Breakin'". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Ice T; Sigmund, Heidi (1994). The Ice Opinion. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 96. ISBN 0-312-10486-3.
- ^ "About – Boogaloo Shrimp Documentary". Retrieved March 26, 2019.
Bibliography
[edit]- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
External links
[edit]- Breakin' at IMDb
- Breakin' at the TCM Movie Database
- Breakin' at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Breakin' at Box Office Mojo
- Breakin' at Rotten Tomatoes
Breakin'
View on GrokipediaSynopsis
Plot
Kelly "Special K" Bennett is a talented young jazz dancer in Los Angeles, working as a waitress while training under a demanding instructor and struggling to secure meaningful opportunities in the competitive dance world.[6][7] Frustrated by her stagnant progress and unwanted advances from her instructor, Kelly encounters street dancers Ozone and Turbo at a lively club, where their dynamic breakdancing captivates her and introduces her to the vibrant world of street dance culture.[8][6] Inspired, Kelly leaves her traditional jazz classes to join Ozone and Turbo, forming a tight-knit dance crew that blends her graceful jazz techniques with their energetic breakdancing moves; however, they face immediate conflicts with a rival crew, Electro Rock, leading to tense street battles, as well as opposition and sabotage attempts from Kelly's former dance instructor Franco and the studio establishment.[7][8] Through rigorous training montages filled with innovative routines, the trio hones their unique fusion style, overcoming personal doubts and external rivalries as they prepare for a high-stakes audition and competition at a prestigious venue.[7][6] In the climax, Kelly, Ozone, and Turbo perform a groundbreaking jazz-breakdancing fusion that wows the judges and audience, securing their breakthrough victory and propelling the group to success in the dance scene, with Kelly finally achieving the recognition she sought.[8][7]Cast
Lucinda Dickey portrays Kelly "Special K" Bennett, the film's protagonist and an aspiring jazz dancer who transitions into the breakdancing scene, driving the central narrative of cultural fusion and personal growth.[9] Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quiñones plays Ozone, a skilled and experienced breaker who serves as Kelly's mentor, guiding her entry into street dance culture while developing a romantic connection that underscores themes of partnership.[9] Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers embodies Turbo, the creative and youthful dancer in Ozone and Kelly's crew, whose innovative moves highlight the playful and experimental spirit of breakdancing.[9] Ben Lokey acts as Franco, the demanding dance instructor and primary antagonist who opposes the protagonists from the traditional dance world.[9] The film features notable supporting roles that enrich its portrayal of urban dance communities, including Ice-T in his acting debut as a nightclub rapper, introducing hip-hop elements to the story's atmosphere.[9] Other dancers, such as Phreak and Dancin' D.J., appear as crew members, contributing to ensemble scenes that showcase diverse breakdancing styles and collective dynamics.[9] Quiñones and Chambers drew from their real-life expertise as pioneering breakers to authenticate the film's dance sequences.[10]Production
Development
The development of Breakin' drew direct inspiration from the 1983 documentary Breakin' 'n' Enterin', directed by Topper Carew, which documented the burgeoning Los Angeles hip-hop and breakdancing scene at venues like Venice Beach and the Radio-Tron club in MacArthur Park, showcasing authentic street dancers including Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quiñones and Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers.[11][12] This footage captured the raw energy of West Coast b-boying and popping, influencing the feature film's setting and emphasis on real L.A. breakers over scripted performers.[13] Cannon Films, under the leadership of producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, initiated the project as a low-budget exploitation film to capitalize on the early 1980s breakdancing phenomenon sweeping pop culture. With a reported budget of $900,000, the production aimed for quick turnaround to meet market demand for youth-oriented dance movies.[5] Golan and Globus, known for their aggressive slate of B-movies, viewed breakdancing as a timely fad ripe for cinematic adaptation, similar to their approach with other trend-driven projects.[14] The studio hired Israeli director Joel Silberg, a veteran of low-budget action and genre films, to helm the project after an initial director change from David Wheeler.[15] Screenwriters Charles Parker and Allen DeBevoise, working from a story by Parker, Gerald Scaife, and DeBevoise, crafted a narrative centered on the fusion of traditional jazz dance and street breaking styles, following a classically trained dancer who discovers breakdancing through encounters with urban crews.[16] This thematic blend was designed to appeal to broader audiences while highlighting the cultural clash and synergy between established dance forms and emerging hip-hop expressions.[17] Casting commenced in mid-1983, prioritizing authenticity by recruiting established L.A. breakers featured in Breakin' 'n' Enterin', such as Quiñones as Ozone and Chambers as Turbo, to portray the street dance leads.[13] Lucinda Dickey was selected for the role of Kelly, the jazz dancer protagonist, bringing her background from Fame to bridge the film's dance worlds.[18] Golan pushed for an accelerated timeline, with the screenplay finalized in weeks and principal photography starting in February 1984, to beat Orion Pictures' rival breakdancing film Beat Street to theaters.[14][17] This rush reflected Cannon's strategy of rapid production to dominate emerging trends before competitors.[19]Filming
Principal photography for Breakin' took place primarily in Los Angeles beginning on February 6, 1984, and lasted just 21 days, allowing for a rapid turnaround to the film's May 4, 1984, theatrical release.[15][5] Filming utilized authentic urban settings to capture the street dance culture, including Venice Beach for outdoor beach sequences, the Radiotron club at 715 South Park View Street near MacArthur Park for nightclub dance battles and performances, and soundstages at Debbie Reynolds Studio in North Hollywood along with Hollywood Center Studios for controlled interior dance routines.[20][21][22] The core cast, including Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quiñones and Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers, contributed their expertise as pioneering street dancers to choreograph sequences that blended popping, locking, and breaking styles, drawing from the real hip-hop scene at venues like the Radiotron.[8][23] Quiñones, a founding member of The Lockers, emphasized authentic, improvisational moves in group battles, while Chambers handled intricate popping and boogaloo elements in solos like the iconic broom dance at 4323 Melrose Avenue.[21][24] Production faced logistical hurdles in coordinating large ensembles of breakers for high-energy routines, requiring precise timing to synchronize diverse styles without disrupting the raw, street-level authenticity.[4] Safety measures were prioritized during acrobatic sequences, such as windmills and headspins, to prevent injuries amid the film's emphasis on unscripted flair.[8] In post-production, editors focused on assembling dynamic dance montages to heighten the film's vibrant, music-video aesthetic, inspired by the emerging MTV era, with minimal visual effects to maintain a gritty, kinetic feel.[4][8]Soundtrack
Track listing
The original motion picture soundtrack for Breakin' was released in 1984 by Polydor Records, a division of PolyGram, featuring a compilation of ten tracks that blend electro-funk, synth-pop, and early hip-hop to complement the film's street dance energy. Artists such as Ollie & Jerry, Rufus & Chaka Khan, and Chris "The Glove" Taylor contribute to the album's vibrant sound, with several songs directly integrated into key dance sequences. The album was initially distributed on vinyl LP and cassette formats, later reissued on CD in regions including Europe during the late 1980s and 2000s.[25]| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" | Ollie & Jerry | 4:34 |
| 2 | "Freakshow on the Dance Floor" | The Bar-Kays | 4:42 |
| 3 | "Body Work" | Hot Streak | 4:22 |
| 4 | "99 1/2" | Carol Lynn Townes | 4:02 |
| 5 | "Showdown" | Ollie & Jerry | 3:57 |
| 6 | "Heart of the Beat" | 3-V | 4:18 |
| 7 | "Street People" | Fire Fox | 3:23 |
| 8 | "Cut It" | Re-Flex | 3:11 |
| 9 | "Ain't Nobody" | Rufus & Chaka Khan | 4:45 |
| 10 | "Reckless" (feat. Ice-T) | Chris "The Glove" Taylor | 3:57 |
