Breakin'#Soundtrack

{{Infobox film

| name = Breakin'

| image = Breakin' movie poster.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Joel Silberg

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Allen DeBevoise
David Zito

}}

| screenplay = {{Plainlist|

Charles Parker
Allen DeBevoise

}}

| story = {{Plainlist|

Charles Parker
Allen DeBevoise
Gerald Scaife

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

Michael Boyd
Gary Remal

}}

| cinematography = Hanania Baer

| editing = {{Plainlist|

Larry Bock
Gib Jaffe
Vincent Sklena

}}

| production_companies = {{Plainlist|

}}

| distributor = MGM/UA Entertainment Company

| released = {{Film date|1984|05|04}}

| runtime = 87 minutes{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/breakdance-1970-0 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20160517125634/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/breakdance-1970-0 | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 17, 2016 | title=BREAKDANCE (PG) | work=British Board of Film Classification | date=May 4, 1984 | access-date=September 3, 2015}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $1.2 millionAndrew Yule, Hollywood a Go-Go: The True Story of the Cannon Film Empire, Sphere Books, 1987 p47

| gross = $38.7 million

}}

Breakin' (also known as Breakdance in the United Kingdom and Break Street '84 in other regions{{Citation|last=Silberg|first=Joel|title=Breakdance - The Movie|date=2009-04-06|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakdance-Movie-Widescreen-Lucinda-Dickey/dp/B001RNXZ56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509150114&sr=8-1&keywords=breakdance+movie|publisher=Second Sight Films Ltd.|language=en|access-date=2017-10-28}}) 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.{{Cite news|url=http://ambrosiaforheads.com/2013/08/breakin-n-enterin-documentary-breakin-video/|title=Breakin' N Enterin' Documentary (Video)|date=2013-08-10|work=Ambrosia For Heads|access-date=2017-10-28|language=en-US}} Many of the artists and dancers from said 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00100pf|title = BBC Radio 2 - Pick of the Pops, 1983}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20897/hot-streak/|title = HOT STREAK | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website = OfficialCharts.com}}

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

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/breakin-1984|title=Breakin' Movie Review & Film Summary (1984) {{!}} Roger Ebert|last=Ebert|first=Roger|website=www.rogerebert.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-28}}

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

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) {{cite news|title= Jean-Claude van Damme|work= The A.V. Club|url= https://www.avclub.com/jean-claude-van-damme-1798213466|access-date=2011-03-22}}
Richie Cerrone as "Lil R" Background Dancer (uncredited)

Production

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|date=April 2025}}

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack was released by Polydor Records in 1984.{{Citation|title=Breakin'|date=2011-11-22|url=https://www.amazon.com/Breakin-Various-Artists/dp/B005WU38UC|publisher=Get On Down|access-date=2017-10-28}} The album contains the first album performance by rapper Ice-T, produced by DJ Chris "The Glove" Taylor and David Storrs."[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r124357|pure_url=yes}} Breakin']". Allmusic.

=Track listing=

{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Breakin-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/release/125777|title = Breakin' - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984, 72 - PRC, Richmond Pressing, Vinyl)|website = Discogs| year=1984 }}

{{Track listing

| headline = Side one

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us

| extra1 = Ollie & Jerry

| length1 = 4:34

| writer1 = Ollie E. Brown, Jerry Knight

| title2 = Freakshow on the Dance Floor

| extra2 = The Bar-Kays

| length2 = 4:42

| writer2 = The Bar-Kays, Allen A. Jones

| title3 = Body Work

| extra3 = Hot Streak

| length3 = 4:22

| writer3 = Curtis Hudson

| title4 = 99 ½

| extra4 = Carol Lynn Townes

| length4 = 4:02

| writer4 = John Fottman, Maxi Anderson

| title5 = Showdown

| extra5 = Ollie & Jerry

| length5 = 3:57

| writer5 = Ollie E. Brown, Joe Curiale

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Side two

| extra_column = Artist

| title1 = Heart of the Beat

| extra1 = 3V

| length1 = 4:18

| writer1 = Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight

| title2 = Street People

| extra2 = Fire Fox

| length2 = 3:23

| writer2 = Ollie E. Brown, Jerry Knight

| title3 = Cut It

| extra3 = Re-Flex

| length3 = 3:11

| writer3 = Paul Fishman

| title4 = Ain't Nobody

| extra4 = Rufus and Chaka Khan

| length4 = 4:45

| writer4 = Hawk Wolinski

| title5 = Reckless

| extra5 = Chris "The Glove" Taylor & David Storrs

| length5 = 3:57

| writer5 = Chris "The Glove" Taylor, David Storrs

| note5 = Rap by Ice-T

}}

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=

scope="row"\| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report){{sfn\|Kent\|1993\|p=283}} \| 6
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Weekly chart performance for Breakin' ! scope="col"\| Chart (1984) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
{{album chart\|Austria\|15\|artist=Soundtrack\|album=Breakin'\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|Canada\|27\|chartid=6802\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|Netherlands\|32\|artist=Soundtrack\|album=Breakdance\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
scope="row"\| European Albums (Eurotipsheet){{cite magazine \|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/84/M&M-1984-07-23-OCR-Page-0004.pdf \|title=European Top 100 Albums \|magazine=Eurotipsheet \|volume=1 \|issue=16/17 \|date=July 23, 1984 \|page=12 \|oclc=29800226 \|via=World Radio History}} See last week column. \| 8
scope="row"\| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book \|last=Pennanen \|first=Timo \|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 \|language=fi \|edition=1st \|location=Helsinki \|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava \|year=2006 \|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5}} \| 25
{{album chart\|Germany4\|24\|id=133\|artist=Soundtrack\|album=Breakin'\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|New Zealand\|17\|artist=Soundtrack\|album=Breakdance\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|Sweden\|18\|artist=Soundtrack\|album=Breakdance\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|Switzerland\|25\|artist=Soundtrack\|album=Breakin'\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|UK2\|6\|date=19840624\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|Billboard200\|8\|artist=Soundtrack\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}
{{album chart\|BillboardRandBHipHop\|2\|artist=Soundtrack\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 28, 2022}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ Year-end chart performance for Breakin' ! scope="col"\| Chart (1984) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report){{sfn\|Kent\|1993\|p=436}} \| 64
scope="row"\| UK Albums (Gallup){{cite magazine \|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1985/Music-Week-1985-01-26-I-IDX-62.pdf \|title=Top 100 Albums (January 3–December 29, 1984) \|magazine=Music Week \|date=January 26, 1985 \|page=42 \|issn=0265-1548 \|via=World Radio History}} \| 51
scope="row"\| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine \|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855368?imw=Y \|title=Top Pop Albums of 1984 \|magazine=Billboard \|date=December 31, 1984 \|access-date=May 28, 2022 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231160407/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855368?imw=Y \|archive-date=December 31, 2012}} \| 78
scope="row"\| US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA6 \|title=Talent Almanac 1985 – Top Pop Album Soundtracks/Original Cast \|magazine=Billboard \|volume=96 \|issue=51 \|date=December 22, 1984 \|page=TA-20 \|issn=0006-2510 \|via=Google Books}} \| 6
scope="row"\| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA10 \|title=Talent Almanac 1985 – Top Black Albums \|magazine=Billboard \|volume=96 \|issue=51 \|date=December 22, 1984 \|page=TA-22 \|issn=0006-2510 \|via=Google Books}} \| 33

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Year-end chart performance for Breakin'

! scope="col"| Chart (1984)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report){{sfn|Kent|1993|p=436}}

| 64

scope="row"| UK Albums (Gallup){{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1985/Music-Week-1985-01-26-I-IDX-62.pdf |title=Top 100 Albums (January 3–December 29, 1984) |magazine=Music Week |date=January 26, 1985 |page=42 |issn=0265-1548 |via=World Radio History}}

| 51

scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855368?imw=Y |title=Top Pop Albums of 1984 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 31, 1984 |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231160407/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855368?imw=Y |archive-date=December 31, 2012}}

| 78

scope="row"| US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA6 |title=Talent Almanac 1985 – Top Pop Album Soundtracks/Original Cast |magazine=Billboard |volume=96 |issue=51 |date=December 22, 1984 |page=TA-20 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}

| 6

scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA10 |title=Talent Almanac 1985 – Top Black Albums |magazine=Billboard |volume=96 |issue=51 |date=December 22, 1984 |page=TA-22 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}

| 33

Release

=Box office=

Breakin' opened in 1,069 venues on May 4, 1984 and outgrossed Sixteen Candles, which had more screens (1,240), earning $6,047,686.{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=1984&wknd=18&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results for May 4-6, 1984 | work=Box Office Mojo | publisher=Internet Movie Database | date=May 7, 1984 | access-date=September 3, 2015}} By the end of its run, the film grossed $38,682,707 at the domestic box office,{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=breakin.htm | title=Breakin' (1984) | work=Box Office Mojo | publisher=Internet Movie Database | access-date=September 3, 2015}} making it the 18th-top-grossing film of 1984.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1984|title=1984 Yearly Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-14}}

=Critical reception=

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." 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/breakin|title = Breakin'|website = Rotten Tomatoes}}

=Home media=

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

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".{{cite book|title=The Ice Opinion|url=https://archive.org/details/iceopinionwhogiv00icet|url-access=registration|last=Ice T|author2=Sigmund, Heidi|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=1994|isbn=0-312-10486-3|location=New York|page=[https://archive.org/details/iceopinionwhogiv00icet/page/96 96]|author-link=Ice-T}}

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'.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boogalooshrimpdocumentary.com/about/|title=About – Boogaloo Shrimp Documentary|language=en|access-date=2019-03-26}}

References

=Bibliography=

{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}