From the moment I saw this film, I thought… damn… what a cool film. And I haven't changed my opinion from that on. This film, by Sheldon Letich, one of those directors who are good at directing martial art stars in martial arts films. So… we are safe. The story is about young Louis (Dacascos) member of special forces in Brazil, where he trained capoeira. He returns home, to Miami to help his high school teacher (Geoffrey Lewis), who has problems (well not just him, but entire school) with problematic kids. They decided to teach capoeira to kids and made a special discipline program. But, the trouble rises when Louis founds out that one of the kids is related to a local gang lord, who is also a capoeira master and so… Louis takes the fight to protect the kids, school, and his girlfriend.Now… the movie is simple, very simple and likable. First of all, as a martial artist myself, I think that this film offers a beautiful scenes of capoeira and excellent, well choreographed fight scenes. It also have that popular capoeira music, which is usually played in training scenes, the villains have their own dark theme for their "dark capoeira". No wonder so many capoeira students love this film. And I understand them. The movie offers a very beautiful atmosphere of Miami, good visuals… When it comes to the script, it's silly and simple, nothing to think about much… Mark Dacascos… well… of course, don't expect some fine acting from him, but he was brilliant in fighting scenes and this film remains one of the best in his career. Stacey Travis, who plays his girlfriend Dianna, I saw her in few low budget films, and… well, she pretty much sticks to similar performances, Geoffrey Lewis already did some martial arts films, but he is not martial artist, so he was good in his own element. There are also a lot of supporting cast actors who are likable, hated, or funny… you decide. And we have a villain Silverio, played by Paco Christian Prieto, I love this guy, a menacing and hilarious dude, the guy can't act worth of sh*t, but he made a terrific villain, and he performed some good martial arts moves too… but walking around, being a tough guy to Mark Dacascos's character… calling him "Santo", or "Hey, santo!"… that's a real comedy.So, overall… watch this film, it's highly recommended, especially for capoeira students, or for most of them who love martial arts… I don't care if you don't like martial arts, this is a cool, relaxing film and it's good for playing during the summer with friends.

I'm 25 years old and when this flick came out I was only 13. Without exaggerating, I must have seen it in the theater between 10 and 15 times. Watching it not only entertains you, but it gives a glimpse of what life was like and was going on in the early to mid '90s. From the gang element, the drugs and the music that was popular at the time... Some of these things we still see or hear quite often (the Mazda commercial uses the song "Zoom Zoom Zoom (The Capoera Song)"). It also explores a "martial art" that was little known, since Capoeira is actually more closely related to a dance, than a fighting style (made popular in the U.S. in the fighting game "Tekken 2" and Tekken 3"). Aside from the fact that some of the actors needed a few more acting lessons, I think it was a very good movie and would (and do) recommend it whole-heartedly.

ONLY THE STRONG Aspect ratio: 1.85:1Sound format: Dolby Stereo SRA former Green Beret (Mark Dacascos) is employed by his local high school to rehabilitate some of its worst students by teaching them the art of capoeira (a form of martial arts from Brazil, using dance-like moves). But his work brings him into conflict with a local drug lord (Paco Christian Prieto), whose operations are threatened by Dacascos' interference...Predictable B-movie, elevated above the routine by virtue of its slick presentation and interesting cast (including Geoffrey Lewis), under the assured direction of Sheldon Lettich (DOUBLE IMPACT). The capoeira sequences are exotic and colorful, which blunts the impact of some pretty heavy fight scenes, and the script is alternately naive and obvious. However, the virtues are considerable: Ultra-buff Dacascos flaunts his pumped-up torso through a variety of tight-fitting vests (drool! slobber!), while ultra-cute Stacey Travis (the romantic interest) hovers around the periphery just long enough to temper the film's relentless macho swagger. Good, catchy music score, too.

this is the best movie of Capoeira in the world. There aren't many movies about Capoeira, but this is definitively the best. Mark Dacascos show us his great martial-artist talent.If you like Dacascos, you have to see Crying Freeman ;)