Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo #32 of the 150 Movies of 1984
Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo is an American musical dance film from director Sam Firstenberg. Director of the Lucinda Dickey feature, Ninja III: The Domination. This was written by the team of Allen DeBevoise, Charles Parker, Jan Ventura, and Julie Reichert. This is the sequel to Breakin’ which had come out earlier in the same year. The film stars Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Michael Chambers, Susie Coelho, Harry Caesar, and Jo De Winter. It was produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan’s Cannon Film Group. It was released in the US and the U.K. on December 21st, 1984.
The dance scenes in this movie are really the only thing that holds it together. The scene of Turbo dancing on the walls and ceiling of a house is the coolest. But although we get a lot of dancing, the camera tends to focus more on tight shots of individuals doing arm-movements or kicks. Not a lot of dancers in full body. Kind of weird when you step back and think about it. Also, technically I think something is off but I just can’t seem to put my finger on what it is. The dubbing is odd. Very bad dubbing in this movie. There is a scene where this kid raps to Special K and it’s so flat and off key. Things like that could have been tightened up.
Adolfo Quiñones, Lucinda Dickey, and Michael Chambers reprise their roles in Breakin’ 2, showcasing their continued talent. Quiñones, in particular, has matured as an actor, delivering more nuanced performances. Most of the original cast returns, with the notable exception of Christopher McDonald, who declined to reprise his role. This sequel benefits from the familiar faces and strong chemistry among the returning actors.
Maybe they were acting too quickly to get this sequel to market. Or maybe they wanted to strike while the proverbial iron was hot with breakdancing. I mean it wasn’t clear whether this was just going to be some kind of fad or not. But here we are forty years later and Breakdancing is being featured at the 2024 Paris Olympics. What an insane trajectory for this style of dancing.
Yet another legendary soundtrack. But it’s far weaker than the original. We don’t get any Al Jarreau this time around. However, we do get some bad ass beats and songs from artists like Midway, George Kranz, Firefox, and more Ollie & Jerry. Also, I am very happy to note that Ice-T gets a much bigger role in this movie and has far more screen time. He’s also got two songs featured in this film, Reckless Rivalry and Go Off.
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo is a cornier and less cohesive exploit than the first. And while it’s fun and entertaining it’s hardly as exciting or groundbreaking as the first. Kind of a swing and a miss when held up to that one. But calling this a good movie is like saying an episode of Soul Train was particularly better than another. It’s all just a high budget way to showcase dancing. Breakdancing specifically. The narrative goes into some pretty interesting areas. Trying to find funding for their dance school is kind of interesting. Far more colorful and cartoonish. But also very inspiring. The Breakin’ series, good or not, is groundbreaking. Ozone, Turbo, and Special K paved the way for movies like Bring it On. Is this a good movie? No. But is it fun? Yes. RottenPop gives this two and a half stars.
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo
Release Date: December 21st, 1984
RottenPop Rating: ★★½
Director: Sam Firstenberg | Writers: Allen DeBevoise, Charles Parker, Jan Ventura, and Julie Reichert
Starring: Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Michael Chambers, Susie Coelho, Harry Caesar, and Jo De Winter
Studios: Cannon Film Group
Country: USA
Genres: Musical Dance
