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.

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.

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

The real star of "Only the Strong" is the capoeira style of Brazilian martial arts (which is the pre-cursor of many break dancing moves) exhibited throughout the film. There are many movies that concentrate on wushu, taekwondo, karate, aikido, and many others styles from different parts of the world, but capoeira movies are far and few between, which makes "Only the Strong" that much more unique.

The story is nothing short of rehashed and predictable; a well meaning soldier (Mark Dacascos) with martial arts background from his previous station in Brazil, comes back to the U.S. and attempts to take charge of the rebellious, rival students in a troubled neighbourhood. He attempts to give them a focus in life with the art of capoeira, which combines martial arts, music and dancing, as well as stressing teamwork between the players/fighters. The troublesome students take a while to be won over by Decascos efforts, but eventually play along.

Things get complicated when it turns out that one of the students is the son of a Portuguese gangster, a capoeira maestre himself, that is the terror of the town, leading to some battles and a showdown between the ruthless criminal and his followers and the well meaning teacher.

The acting and the story is sub-par as mentioned previously, but this is , at the time of this writing, the only movie focusing on capoeira as a whole, and as such deserves a closer look by martial arts fans everywhere who are ready for something truly different.

You know whats going to happen to all the "bad" students as soon as you see them. But, this is still a very good movie. The style used is really amazing and fun to watch. The fights scenes are very good. Why this movie wasn't a big hit, I'll never know. It should have made Mark Dacascos a star.