Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984): The Sequel That Became a Phrase, the Phrase That Became Everything
By Johnny Rewind | Nostalgia Navigator
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo is a 1984 breakdancing sequel that became more famous as a phrase than as a film. The subtitle has been applied to every conceivable sequel, follow-up, and return since 1984. It is one of the most referenced film titles in pop culture history. The film itself is about a group of breakdancers trying to save their community centre from a developer who wants to demolish it. They do this by dancing. It works. The film is absolutely sincere about this. Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, and Michael Chambers return from the original and dance with complete commitment throughout.
The Legacy
Electric Boogaloo was shot in 17 days while the original Breakin' was still in post-production. The producers correctly anticipated that breakdancing was a phenomenon with a short commercial window and moved fast. Both films were released in 1984. The sequel made more money than the original. The subtitle has since been used to describe everything from sequels to political comebacks to pizza toppings. It is impossible to overstate how thoroughly two words from a 1984 dance film have embedded themselves into the English language.
Be kind. Rewind. Save the community centre.
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