Breakin' (1984)

'Breakin': A struggling young jazz dancer (Lucinda Dickey) meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds. Features ICE-T in his film debut as a club MC.

Director:

Joel Silberg

Writers:

Charles Parker (story), Allen DeBevoise (story),

Stars:

Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Michael Chambers

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lucinda Dickey	...	Kelly / Special K
Adolfo Quinones	...	Ozone / Orlando (as Adolfo 'Shabba-Doo' Quinones)
Michael Chambers	...	Turbo / Tony (as Michael 'Boogaloo Shrimp' Chambers)
Ben Lokey	...	Franco
Christopher McDonald	...	James
Phineas Newborn III	...	Adam
Bruno Falcon	...	Electro Rock 1 (as 'Bruno Pop N' Taco' Falcon)
Timothy Solomon	...	Electro Rock 2 (as Timothy 'Poppin' Pete' Solomon)
Ana Sánchez	...	Electro Rock 3 (as Ana 'Lollipop' Sanchez)
Ice-T	...	Rap Talker (as Ice T)
Peter Bromilow	...	Judge
Eleanor Zee	...	Judge
Scott Cooper	...	Judge
Eb Lottimer	...	Judge's Assistant
Teresa Kelly	...	Vicky (as T.C. Laughlin)

Storyline

'Breakin': A struggling young jazz dancer (Lucinda Dickey) meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds. Features ICE-T in his film debut as a club MC.

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Plot Keywords:

sequel mentioned during end credits | cult film | cult film | apostrophe in title | psychotronic | 

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Taglines:

For the break of your life! Push it to pop it! Rock it to lock it! Break it to make it!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Breakdance

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$36,100,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Cannon Films most financially successful movie as distributor.

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Goofs

Towards the end of the movie when Kelly and Ozone are arguing at Venice Beach, the last shot of that scene as they are walking away; Ozone says, "I want to show you what real dancing is about." You can see that Ozone's lips don't move, but you can still hear him say something.

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Quotes

Ozone: FOOL!

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Connections

Referenced in Homestarrunner.com: Everything Else, Volume 2 (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Lil' Lockers"
Written and Performed by Matthew Ender, Steven Elowe and Doug Lunn
Produced by Matthew Ender
Recorded at Pacifica Studios

User Reviews

A glimpse of what hip hop was to become

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.