Great entertainment backed with profound social and cultural insight about the worldwide grass roots importance of breakdancing. After admiring the dancers' athleticism, you'll want to hit the gym.
Planet B-Boy (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:37
Fresh:33
Rotten:4
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: Lee's dazzling documentary makes a compelling argument for breakdancing as an art form.
Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis:
With compelling characters and vibrant dance sequences, Planet B-Boy is set in the International world of b-boying - the urban dance more commonly known as "breakdancing." Weaving between the vivid...
With compelling characters and vibrant dance sequences, Planet B-Boy is set in the International world of b-boying - the urban dance more commonly known as "breakdancing." Weaving between the vivid backdrops of Osaka, Paris, Seoul and Las Vegas, spectacular choreography frames the intimate stories of dancers who struggle for their dreams despite being
misunderstood by larger society and their own families.
An American dancer in Vegas looks for his big break; a Korean son seeks
his father's approval; a twelve-year-old boy in France confronts his
family's racism - all the b-boys' lives collide in Germany where their skills are
put to the ultimate test: the "Battle of the Year" finals, with crews from
18 nations vying for the title of World Champion. --© Elephant Eye Films
[More]
Director: Benson Lee
Director: Benson Lee
Producer: Amy Lo
Composer: Jim Black
Studio: Elephant Eye Films
Reviews for Planet B-Boy
Benson Lee's crackling 2007 video documentary follows five teams as they compete for a world title, with one amazing number after another showcasing the dancers' chorus-line precision, gymnastic athleticism, and thematic novelty.
What they all have in common, as Quik, a member of Japan's Ichigeki Crew, explains, is a passion for the border-busting power dance, movement as a movement, freedom of expression, wild-style.
An exhilarating documentary about street dancers from around the globe.
If Benson Lee's intention with Planet B-Boy was to set the record straight on the continuing story of break dancers, then his documentary has to be counted a success. With a few caveats.
What's fun about Benson Lee's documentary Planet B-Boy isn't just the amazingly athletic displays of B-boys he puts on screen, but the film's sense of cultural discovery.
If I could, I would spin on my head to express how much I enjoyed Planet B-Boy.
While the film stresses how hip-hop unifies different cultures, it's interesting to see how each culture's youth has appropriated the principles of hip-hop for its own self-expression.
The seemingly endless performances can be a bit much, but Lee's sensitivity to the need of these dancers to say something about themselves through dazzling moves is memorable.
Hip-hop fans should flock to Planet B-Boy to see what break dancing looks like around the world, but so should movie-musical and performance-art fans who love intelligent and aggressive improvisation and energy.
Regardless of its shortcomings, there is a variety of break dancing on display here that will bring the viewer up to speed on the state of the art.
Planet B-Boy effortlessly makes the case that breakdancing is a genuine art form. Mixing ballet and the street, the crews are dazzling.
An exuberant study of the ways competition and collaboration can team up when it comes to the creativity of these guys.
The battles in Benson Lee's documentary Planet B-Boy are exceptional. The movie's not bad, either.
...a well-balance work that captures the often jaw dropping performances by the dancers.
After watching this movie, I felt like every nerve ending in my body was shooting sparks. No wonder these boys dedicate their lives to this dance. It's electrifying.
The film overflows with displays of explosive dancing and does a superb job showing the form's incredible complexity and technical diversity.
So while I might complain about some of Lee's filmmaking choices, I feel nothing but wonder and delight at seeing these dancers excel at something they love so passionately.
Latest News for Planet B-Boy
November 06, 2008:
Evolution of breakdancing into an international phenomenon examined by electrifying documentary. ![]()
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March 01, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
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