Beat Street

Rating:
Summary: And the Beat Goes On
Review: A true hip-hop classic. I was first introduced to this film through my mother who was a teenager at the time of it's original release in 1984. Thanks to this movie, at 9 years old, i have a greater appreciation for hip hop and better understand its origins. This movie gives an accurate representation of one of the 20th century's most influential musical genres. Unlike the other hip hop movies Beat Street accurately captures the look and feel of the hip hop culture of New York City in the 80s (sheepskins, bomber jackets, kangol hats) It also takes a holistic look at hip hop nation astutely incorporating all of its elements - rap music, break dancing, spinning/mixing, graffiti art. More than just a movie about hip hop, it is a movie about familial ties, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit. It is a must see for the new generation of hip hop soldiers. Buy it - YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! Peace out!

Leandro B. a.k.a. Rocker

Rating:
Summary: Not the greatest movie...BUT
Review: As a movie in it's general sense, Beat Street is not a great film. It's just OK. It's real value is in its history, and being sort of a window to the past...when hip hop was about having fun, and using the art (and not guns) to settle beefs. I would suggest anyone thinking about getting this movie not be too concerned about plot and story, and just enjoy a time that's likely gone forever. I'm lucky to say that I lived through those times, and wish they could come back.

I give the film three stars for story and plot. However, for history and just sitting back and reminiscing about a time long gone, I'll give it 5 stars.

One final word: The Roxy battle scene is one of the greatest modern dance scenes ever committed to celluloid, and almost 20 years later, it still gives me chills.

Rating:
Summary: Hip Hop In It's Hay Day
Review: The movie Beat Street, has always been one of my favorite movies of all time. Mainly because, it captured three important elements of Hip-Hop, and that was Djing, breaking and Graffiti writing on the subway cars.

There are so many different scenes that I enjoyed in the movie, but the scene when Kenny was djing in his room before Tracy came in happens to be one of my favorites. I feel this way about that scene because Kenny was zoned out in his own world, and I can relate to this because I'm a dj and I often do this myself. Another one that involves Kenny was when they had the party in the abanded building, and he starting the party off saying "It's working.....It's working. Wow what a classic scene.

The battle scene at the Roxy,was and is still to this day, one of the legendary battles to have gone down in Hip-Hop history. To see all the orignal members of The Rock Steady Crew and The New York Breakers battle was just exciting to see to. Even till this day, I don't know how Crazy Legs, took his sneakers off, after doing a backspin.

Today, there are websites and books that you're able to look at different pieces from various graffiti artist like "Lee"- (Wild Style), Dondi-(Style Wars) and Dez just to name a few. But to actually see it in a movie was a great feeling. Even though a few writers atually did the art work on the subway cars in the movie, Ramon did an excellent job making us believe that he really did it all.

The movies "Wild Style" and "Style Wars" were some of the first films to ever be made on this sub-culture. But when, "Beat Street" was released, I think it made things brighter for those that were in the darkness about the Hip-Hop culture and what it stood for. Too bad we can't relive the early 80's again.

Rating:
Summary: Beat Street, king of the beat
Review: This is the first movie I ever saw about Hip-Hop. I saw it back around when it came out. I was a young, snot nose white boy from the 'Burbs. So what did I know about "Hip-Hop" really? Not too much, besides I loved the music, and dancing and emcees. I realize there were "Wild Style" and the classic "Style Wars" but those were documentaries. I'm not here to compare those 2 amazing flicks to this one. Beat Street isn't a documentary, it's not factually perfect. The acting isn't top notch, it's not suppostive to be an exact replica of the Hip-Hop Culture durring that time, IT'S A MOVIE! The love portions were pretty lame, some of the other scenes were hokey. But, in the end this is great movie. It has graf writing, dj's battling, emcees emcee'ing. I still especially like seeing Kool Moe Dee rappin as Santa Clause (the memories...) The movie captures the essence of "Hip-Hop" fairly well. Say what you want about things that were incorrect or what have you. This isn't Star Wars and I'm not some obsessed fan who see's every error made in the film. It was supposive to be entertaining. It captures all 4 elements og the culture nicely, and the theme song is one of the greatest hip-hop songs EVER. It's almost 20 years later, and the film still holds up well. Could it have been better? Of course, but show me a movie that couldn't. It's nice to see it finally come out on DVD, I don't own the DVD yet, but I will very soon.

Rating:
Summary: HO HO HO open up yo dowww
Review: THE SONG IS CALLED I.O.U BY FREEZE

PEACE

Rating:
Summary: Help me
Review: Any of y'all remember the track on Double K's performance the the Burnin' Spear...that went something like "A, E...A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y. You tell me that you love me everyday..." Well that was my anthem back in the day and I'm trying to remember the title name and the group name...somebody please help me. I watched Beat Street the other night and I've been trying to find this song...it would make my day! Year for that matter. If you know it, email me at [e-mail]

Peace and be strong...

Rating:
Summary: MAN YA'LL BITERS, ALL YO HOMEBOYS ARE BITERS!
Review: I agree with one of the previous comments about the movie plot itself not being all that great, but just to watch and reminisce with a time that can never be replaced. I wish they had behind the scenes on this DVD and some of the battles they had off the camera - that in itself would have been better than the movie ! But i read somewhere that the cameras were always turned off when they had battles during the filming of this movie. Anyways, I watched this movie at the theatres a half dozen times back in 83', and when it came out on VHS i was stoked. I am so proud that I was able to experience and participate in hip hop during that time era, when everything was just about fun.

Rating:
Summary: Classic and I do mean CLASSIC...
Review: Even though this music is dated, you can see the innocence in it. Almost anyone who performed (musically) in this movie can be easily added tothe Hip Hop hall of fame. Fact is I STILL like hearing the songs on this DVD. Who can debate that the title song isn't one of Melle Melle's best.

"Newspaper burns in the sand and the headline say man destroys man. Extra Extra read all the bad news of the war on peace that everybody would lose. The rise and fall of the great empire, the sounds of the whole world caught on fire, the ruthless struggle, the desperate gamble, the game that left the whole world in shambles. The cheats, the lie, the alibis, and the foolish attempt to conquer the skies. Lost in space, but what was it worth when the President forgot about earth."

Lyrics like this say it all..

Rating:
Summary: hip hop classic
Review: i must have watched this movie 6 or 7 times in the theatres back in 84. it was real inspiring for bboys like myself. and it was always a toss up on who won the battle in the roxy. c'mon ! we all know who won ! when i think back, im glad i was able to be a part and experience the birth and growth of hip hop. i feel bad for the youth today, because they are exposed to such garbage these days, and are not able to experience true hip hop.

Rating:
Summary: One of Hip-Hop's Elite Films.
Review: Every Hip Hop head in the world should own this film for one reason alone: New York City Breakers vs. The Rocksteady Crew @ the Roxy. Classic! Rae Dawn Chong and the whole broadway portion of the film took some points away. But overall this is a great film for any hip hop purist. There's great cameos within the film as well, from Afrika Bambatta & The Soulsonic Force, Grand Master Mellie Mel, as well as The Treacherous 3. Wild Style & Style Wars are a tad bit better though, in terms of a more realistic portrayal of the culture.