Some movies you watch because they are classics. Some movies you watch because they mean something to you in particular. Some movies you watch to be enlightened. But a huge number of movies you watch you watch for fun and nothing more or maybe to remember a time when things were different. Such is the case with "BEAT STREET".In 1984 when the movie came out hip hop music was on the rise as was hip hop dancing. The jerky movements, the spins, the flips, the musically influenced dance style was the rage. Hollywood, never one to let a fad go by untapped, made the choice to bring out several films involving the hip hop scene, almost always by a low budget studio. That year Cannon popped out "BREAKIN'" and its sequel "BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO". "KRUSH GROOVE" gave Shelia E. a chance to hit the movie screen. "WILD STYLE" featured the music of Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash.BEAT STREET came out in 1984 and was one of the first to hit the screens. All of them seemed to play off of the same things, the music, the New York locale and the graffiti art. "BEAT STREET" takes on all of those themes. Kenny is a young DJ living in the Bronx with dreams of being a star one day. Along with his brother Lee who wants to be a professional hip hop dancer and his friends they hit the clubs and private parties held in abandoned buildings.The possibility of success arrives in the form of Tracy (Rae Dawn Chong), a grad student who invites Lee to show off his moves for her classmates. With no pay and no chance to use it as a stepping stone, Kenny gets upset since Lee had told him Tracy promised him a chance at both. This leads to a parting of the ways until Tracy finds a way to make things right with Kenny. Later he gets that chance at stardom and an opportunity to show his skills at a major nightclub. He just has to show them what he can do.In addition to this story we have that of Kenny's friend Ramon, a gifted graffiti artists who also dreams of making it big. Ramon also has a young child with his girlfriend and he's trying his best to make things right with her and her family. He works as well as doing his art and finds himself in a battle of wills with another spray paint artist who keeps ruining his works. A face off is inevitable.But story isn't the main reason for these movies. Much like the musicals of the past it was the song and dance portions of the films that made fans go to them. The movie offers plenty of that for hip hop fans who craved seeing that as often as possible. The film is filled with dance offs and party sequences that are filled with hip hop dancing. Not only that but songs are provided by some of the best performers on the scene at the time including Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Mel and the Furious Five and Africa Bambata among others.The movie fits into the drama category because it's about hope and dreams, some achieved and others that crash to the ground before they can even begin. Yes there is tragedy as well as joy in this film. In the end it is a movie that for those who grew up in the 80s when the music and dancing was just taking off will bring back fond memories. For those young enough to like the music they can now see what their parents were up to at the time. And for movie fans it's another one to just sit and enjoy. Those interested in adding it to their collections will be the die-hard fans. All others will just have a bit of fun and move on.

I'll be perfectly honest: I watched "Beat Street" tons of times and it wasn't for the acting. I remember when this movie was still fresh and it was a must watch for all the young rap-loving, b-boying, break dancing kids. I can't give it high marks for the story, I can't give it high marks for the script, and I can't give it high marks for the acting even with the addition of Rae Dong Chong... but I sure did love the breakdance battle scenes and the music. Even to this day I watch it for the dancing and marvel at the moves the two gangs did. "Beat Street" will always be a favorite of mine even if I can't bring myself to give it a high grade.

This started out to be a movie about the street culture of the Bronx in New York. What it accomplished was to give birth to a new culture and way of life, for American youth. What other movie has done this except Rebel Without A Cause? One of the most important movies of all time. The elements are simple yet fascinating. The story is timeless, young people try to succeed against all odds. Yet the story is always believable and never depressing. The characters are so realistic, a city dweller, would recognize them as neighbors. The story is entertaining, and comes to a satisfying ending. Buy this one for your permanent collection. It is a piece of American history.

Being that I am a true product of the hip-hop and electronic dance music generation, this is without a doubt one of my favorite movies of all time. Beat Street, although not as "authentic" in some respects as Wild Style, is a film that is guaranteed to tug the heart strings of anyone who takes pride in the culture of urban sample/DJ-based music and electro-club culture. Although I will admit that at times the dialogue is somewhat cheesy, you can't help but feel for the characters, and ultimately "wish you were there" for the beginnings of hip-hop culture in New York City in the early eighties. The b-boy battle scene at the Roxy nightclub (a real-life, real-time competition between the legendary Rock Steady Crew and the NYC Breakers) is just as essential to a hip-hop fan's archives as any classic album. Watch some of the breakers' moves in slow-motion if possible to truly appreciate the athletic and stylistic expertise of a seasoned B-boy/B-girl. All praises due to the Zulu Nation!!!