Only the Strong
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Movie Reviews of Only the Strong
Movie Review: One of the only movies solely about Capoeira!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this movie!! If you are into Capoeira and you can appreciate the fact that this movie came out in 1993 then you should love this movie!Movie Review: Kind of like STAND AND DELIVER, but with a ginga...
Summary: 4 Stars
Why Mark Dacascos isn't a bigger name in movies confounds me a bit. To me, he's always had the qualities to be a star in action cinema. Guy looks good, is very fit, has an appealing screen presence, and can even act some. And he's definitely got the martial arts cred. I first saw him in ONLY THE STRONG back in 1993, and dude left an impression.
This film takes us back to the days when it was still hip to hoist a ghetto blaster on your shoulder. Louis Stevens (Dacascos), a former Green Beret and fresh off a military stint in Brazil, has just returned home to the seamier side of Miami. When visiting his former school teacher, Louis can't help but note the downhill progression of his old high school. Steel bars and security staff run rampant in school, but do little to stem the thuggery and drug deals going down. When Louis applies his capoeira techniques to fend off several goons on the school grounds, his teacher takes in the students' reactions and hits on the idea of hiring Louis to instruct the art of capoeira to twelve of the worst kids in school.
Predictably, Louis's experimental martial arts program doesn't win the kids over in a day, but, little by little, progress is made and the kids begin to pay attention. But one of his pupils turns out to be a relative of the local drug and chop shop kingpin, Silverio, who himself happens to be a capoeira master. As Louis begins to impact these messed-up kids, Silverio begins to feel threatened. Soon, he and Louis are engaged in a brutal contest to determine who runs these Miami streets.
While ONLY THE STRONG isn't my favorite Dacascos flick (that would be Crying Freeman and the awesomely awesome Drive (Special Collectors Edition)), it's still a very solid action film. The fight choreography is very good, with the film showcasing the Brazilian art of capoeira. Dacascos is a dynamic martial artist, slicing the air as he does with acrobatic strikes and kicks. Dacascos was already well-versed in judo and karate, but had to learn the discipline of capoeira for this movie. I'm no expert so it's not for me to say how convincing he is in demonstrating his capoeira skills, but I came away feeling good about this very rhythmic martial arts. I dig that capoeira exudes such a sense of fun and excitement in its free-wheeling, seemingly improvisational style. Even right now, I feel like busting a ginga (cue the song "Paranaue...").
There's a whiff of Stand and Deliver and Lean on Me in this film, but don't get it twisted, ONLY THE STRONG is, above all, a martial arts movie, so there's a fair amount of violence here. But, hopefully, viewers will come away with an awareness of just how much training, focus, and self-sacrifice it takes to master the martial arts, and also with an appreciation of the inherent beauty and serenity of the thing. The film's plot tends to run its generic course, with the school teacher premise serving more as a backdrop to the capoeira sequences. And, in these sequences, Mark Dacascos shines.
Really, why isn't this guy bigger in movies?
Movie Review: Only 4 Stars
I like this movie alot. I remember catching this on HBO(of course) while staying home sick from school one day(knowing me, I probably wasn't actually sick, but that's beside the point). Glancing at the box cover, it's easy to mentally shelve this away alongside movies like American Ninja 4 or anything with Don "The Dragon" Wilson. Make no mistake about it though, while this may be a bit formulaic, it's does stand out. The plot is an often told tale of outsider who teaches misfit kids self respect and fair play. In this case, it's Mark Dacascos teaching Capoeira. Capoeira is a martial art from Brazil that seems to consist of a lot of spinning kicks. It almost looks like a dance of sorts(I think it is actually). I'm not an expert on martial arts by any means, but this style is fascinating to watch and the movie takes every opportunity to showcase it. That's a good thing too, coz this particular style isn't really shown in movies. Well, Dacascos teaches this style to the kids as part of a new unofficial high school program, and it becomes a hit not only with the students, but with the school and community. Now comes the Van Damme-ish part of the film. One of the most difficult(and in the end, most dedicated) students is cousin to a Brazilian drug lord who reigns over the neighborhood. He's not too happy about Dacascos' interference with his plans, or his turning his cousin against him. In a coincidence that only action films can muster, this drug lord is also a master of Capoeira. Soon the war is on between the drug lord and Dacascos, resulting in a big Capoeira showdown. No, it's not all terribly original, but something about this movie really works. What would normally comes across as corny, doesn't so much. Maybe it's the mesmerizing Capoeira scenes, maybe the performances. Well, maybe not the performances coz they're typical of this kind of film. Normally the name Mark Dacascos slapped across the front of a dvd cover box is reason to walk away considering he's never been the mark of quality for a film(though he always seems to have a good screen presence, bad movie or not). This movie could have made him a star though. It's not Shakespeare or anything, but he manages to take a tough guy martial arts character a la Van Damme/Seagal, and make him more human and likable. Yes, Dacascos does a fine job here, and he has some terrific moves. I very much recommend this one to anyone who likes to discover those good ones that slip through the cracks. One thing's for sure, after watching this, you're gonna have a helluva tough time getting that Brazilian chant out of your head.Movie Review: looking for capoeira? this is the movie
Summary: 4 Stars
Amongst the thousands of martial arts films in circulation, it is near impossible to find one that focuses on Capoeira fighting. And among a few films that contain tournaments, such as the Bloodsport series, you can find a Capoeira fighter in the tournament. But if you are looking for a fighting style used throughout an entire film, Only The Strong is the only movie I know of.
In addition to a Capoeira treat, the movie stars Marc Dacascos, a fan favorite by many who has been in several notable films such as Drive, Cradle 2 The Grave, and American Samurai. Though not a true Capoeira fighter, Dacascos did a pretty good job of learning it for this film. Though the fights look unrealistic because of all the flash of the moves, nevertheless it is beautiful choreography that is quite original and never gets old. This is why we watch movies after all, to see fantasy fights that look sweet.
As for the story, though somewhat cheesy, I thought it too was quite original. The Mark Dacascos character returns to his old high school in Miami, Florida and begins a program to teach the absolute worst kids there the art of Capoeira. Unfortunately, one of the student's cousins, Silverio (played by Paco Christian Prieto - Street Law, Champions), tries to put an end to it, leading up to a big confrontation and fight between Dacascos and Prieto. I loved the fight scene. It lasted 4 minutes, about average length, and took place on a sgement of Miami beach at night. The choreography for this fight was amazing to watch.
You might even like the soundtrack for this film, which incorporates a lot of rhythm and beat for the fighting. Songs like "Bananawe" may stick in your head for hours and hours after watching.
I highly recommend Only The Strong if you want to see a lot of Capoeira fighting, or just something different in a martial arts movie. I also recommend Tony Jaa's newest movie "The Protector" if you want to see a really flashly fight involving Capoeira.
Movie Review: My inspiration!
Summary: 4 Stars
Ok so there are a few ways to judge this movie. Is it a masterpiece. No. Not even close. However, if you grew up watching king fu theater and understand the mindset you must be in to watch this type of movie, it is great fun! The acting was horrible as was the writing itself. On several occasions the Villain kept switching from a spanish accent to a brazilian one or worse yet, pronouncing a word incorrectly in either language. The editing in this movie was below amateur as well. Too many mistakes to begin noting. The casting was probably the worse thing in the flick. To believe that any of the boys in the class were one of the 12 baddest kids in the school forces you to suspend all belief in reality and just get on bored for the ride. LOL!!!
Ok that said, this was the first U.S. movie made that used capoeira as the primarly artform, making it a pioneer. The movie was also a lot of fun. It was so bad that it was terrific to watch! This rare quality is similar to old kung fu flicks and most Jackie Chan movies. You aren't watching them for technical or acting or script quality.
This movie is what introduced me to capoeira. In fact it took me 3 years after seeing this to finally find a school to learn it. Over one hour away from home. Since then I have helped open a capoeira school in Philadelphia for a Brazilian Master and have helped bring this beautiful art to many people. All that started with this movie. So for that, the beautiful adventure that I found as a result of seeing this film, it is a masterpiece.
I have to say that I was highly disappointed that there were no special features on this DVD. That was just wrong!!!!
If you are a martial arts movie fan and in a non-serious mood, Check this movie out. Maybe it'll inspire you to living an adventure of your own!
Zoom Zoom Zoom capoeira mata um! haha!!!