Only the Strong (1993)

Louis Stevens (Ex-Special Forces) returns to Miami to find his former high school overrun by drugs and violence. He pledges to straighten out a dozen of the school's worst students by teaching them Capoeira . The local drug lord vows to stop. Now Stevens must fight….The film was shot on a zero budget. The story and plot are weak and predictable. The fighting scenes from Dacascos are great and the only decent acting comes from him. The story is a bit too sentimental at times and the whole thing of Capoeira changing the lives of these street kids doesn't bode much credibility,however the fight sequences are great.

'Only the Strong' is a film about a group of troubled boys who set out to learn some fighting moves, and they start training to keep themselves out of trouble. This is a film that is all about being tough and learning how to fight and how to be strong. Testosterone levels are high in this film, so if you're female and/or just do not care for this type of film, then I would suggest you avoid it because it is all about fighting and there is nothing else that it has to offer to a wider audience. Unless you are particularly into films like this and like anything that Vin Diesel is in, avoid it. I give this a 2/10 because it is not my type of film.

ONLY THE STRONG Aspect ratio: 1.85:1Sound format: Dolby Stereo SRA former Green Beret (Mark Dacascos) is employed by his local high school to rehabilitate some of its worst students by teaching them the art of capoeira (a form of martial arts from Brazil, using dance-like moves). But his work brings him into conflict with a local drug lord (Paco Christian Prieto), whose operations are threatened by Dacascos' interference...Predictable B-movie, elevated above the routine by virtue of its slick presentation and interesting cast (including Geoffrey Lewis), under the assured direction of Sheldon Lettich (DOUBLE IMPACT). The capoeira sequences are exotic and colorful, which blunts the impact of some pretty heavy fight scenes, and the script is alternately naive and obvious. However, the virtues are considerable: Ultra-buff Dacascos flaunts his pumped-up torso through a variety of tight-fitting vests (drool! slobber!), while ultra-cute Stacey Travis (the romantic interest) hovers around the periphery just long enough to temper the film's relentless macho swagger. Good, catchy music score, too.

This movie is great. Personally I like it for the fighting more than the story but the story was good too. Perhaps its not as good as matrix but it's the best for its kind, realism wise that is. So go out there and watch it.