Only the Strong, la loi du plus fort

If you are looking for a plot or a great cinematic feature, you may be disappointed. However, if you want to see some great Capoera (brazilian style) fighting, this is for you. This relatively unknown art is exciting and explosive, with many flips and tumbles along with strikes used to incapacitate your opponent. I am a fan of the Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee movies, but this type of martial art has found a place in my heart. The movie is a great good guy overcomes insurmountable odds to come out on top. Very entertaining.

Saw this movie and was very intrigued by it..Had it for a few years and still watch it..My daughter is learning the dance through the movie as a protection for her and enjoys the dance moves as well..We're from Hawaii also and I think Mark is a great actor..One of my all time favorite movies..Much Aloha to all!!

Cyndi

I thought Only the Strong was a great movie. I would love to learn the martial art. I thought that Ryan Bollman, as well as the rest of the cast, was wonderful. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good movie. I loved this movie, and am currently trying to find it on video.

When I say that I mean, the Bruce Lee flicks, the Chuck Norris flicks, The Karate Kid, Never Back Down, the various ninja movies, etc. Then I see this movie on HBO about Brazilian martial arts and was hooked from the beginning!

At first glance, you think it's a typical B-movie with a former or current Special Forces type going out to change the world. Then as you get into it, you see that there's some story to it! Yeah, it's predictable like some have said, but at least the writers attempted to make a watchable story. The Martial Arts choreography is great, especially if you haven't seen Brazilian Martial arts before!

Like someone also said, this is not Oscar material, but it's certainly entertaining. Whether it's Academy Award worthy or not, that's what a movie is supposed to be: ENTERTAINING. "Only the Strong" certainly delivers in entertainment and in my opinion should have it's place among Martial Arts movies!

To understand 'Only The Strong' you have to know it was a thing in the early 90's to capitalize on the deteriorating public school system, teens, violence and temptation to drugs. This film - unlike other titles - wasn't kindly received. Critics and audiences didn't want a Karate Kid-like tale of teaching kids a martial art style known as capoeira to help overcome hardships.

The teacher is Louis Stevens (Mark Dacascos). An ex military man who picked up this art while on a tour of duty. I won't lie and tell you this film doesn't follow formula because it does. He inspires the teens when they witness him beat down some toughs on school property. Then a pilot program with the backing of Kerrigan (Geoffrey Lewis) who's a friend and teacher gets launched. There's the cliché resistant from the worst students to join him. Then the barriers come down.

An antagonist comes in the form of local big time drug dealer Silverio (Paco Christian Prieto). Who doesn't like that he's losing his sway to Stevens. There's a steady progression of bonding with the students. Conflict with the baddies. A predictable romantic interest in a female teacher. Everything leading up to a big finale fight where everything hangs in the balance.

'Only The Strong' isn't bad. The message and it's form might be dated, but it's solidly made and features an upbeat tone, music. Dacascos is in top condition both physical and with the martial arts. I saw this on late night tv back in the 90's and thought it was decent. That fact remains today.