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.

I just viewed an old tape of "Breakin'" last night. It's been 17 years since I first viewed it at the movies. However, I can't believe the powerful effect it still has on me. Yes, admittedly, the plot is not original, the screenplay is truly by-the-numbers, and the acting is generally amateurish. Yet, in spite of these shortcomings, the movie is still catchy, sincere, and engrossing. That's because of the talented stars who really love what they do, namely, breakdancing and "poppin' and lockin'," along with the stimulating, get-on-your-feet dance music.

This movie is like a time capsule of the 80s, with hints of the future. Moreover, I still find it to be inspirational, motivational, and hypnotic. Looking at these streetdancers and the jazz dancer go after their dreams with sheer determination, talent, and grit makes me want to jump up and do the same thing! Yes, I'm nearly fifty, but looking at this movie gave me another shot of adrenalin to do what I need to do in my daily life. "Ain't no stoppin' us" is the endless musical mantra in "Breakin'"...nothing stopped the dancers, and nothing's going to stop me, either. Watch "Breakin'" for yourself, and you'll see what I mean. 9/10 Rating.

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.