Power Up Family, as a lover of all things Hip-Hop, that rarely includes major motion pictures for the very reason is that a lot pf the very essence is usually lost to cinematic value (Step Up Series, Stomp the Yard, You Got Served). But every so often, Hollywood get is right, that was the case in Battle of The Year. For every real B-Boy, The Battle of the Year, which can easily be called the “Olympics of Breakdancing” is the ultimate goal. The competition, which takes place in France, every year, brings together the world’s elite breakers in one place to claim the gold but also bragging as the best breaking crew on the planet!
The movie which stars Laz Alonso, Josh Holloway, Josh Peck and Chris Brown, follows Dante Graham (Laz Alonso) a known hip-hop mogul and former B-Boy, who wants nothing more than to see an American team win the Battle of the Year, an international b-boy tournament. Dante picks former dancer and estranged friend, Jason Blake (Josh Holloway), a boozy, widowed basketball coach, to select, then train a worthy team. With just three months to whip a crew of 13 headstrong guys into a cohesive unit, Blake, his assistant (Josh Peck) and a choreographer (Caity Lotz) have a daunting job ahead of them. So, brace yourself as the world’s best B-Boy teams hit the stage in the most intense dance tournament. The Battle of the Year competition is an all-out war of mind-blowing dance moves, explosive routines and electrifying displays of skill and imagination. The American team, a group of underdogs, is pitted against the world’s elite as they tear it up in their struggle for the top spot.
What I loved about this movie was it authentic approach, directed by B-Boy enthusiast Benson Lee, and unlike a lot of the movies of the same genre, it pays homage to the actual roots of origin. For an actual former B-Boy this movie really hit home, especially when it came to the depiction of how much work actually goes into this art form. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the movie was a little bit cliché ridden but it didn’t end how most would, which I respected. Another small detail is that it referenced a documentary, also by Lee (which has been called the “B-Boys Bible”), called Planet B-Boy.
All in all, this is hands down one of my favorite Hip-Hop dance movies. From the actual moves to the plot its, a definite must-see. But don’t take my word for check it out for yourself, until Next time, this Phat Toney signing off always remember to stay woke and always LOVE LIVE LIFE!
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AuthorHi there! I'm the Samoan Samurai Phat Toney. I'm a lover of all things DOPE! WELCOME TO THE DOPE DOJO! Archives
March 2018
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