StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Borgarkeri A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

ManBehindTheMask63 This is a must rent for any martial arts fan. The action is amazing and plenty. This is Marc Dacascos best film without a doubt. The stunts are awesome, the acting is better than usual for a sock em kick em flick, and the storyline is meaningful and entertaining. The Brazilian martial art is very rarely seen, so it makes the fight scenes fresh and interesting. Too bad Marc never made it big. After watching this, you'll be wondering, Why the hell didn't he become a superstar??? Dacascos rocks! It's a fun, feel good action film with a great lead and an awesome villain. There are some recognizable young faces in the film as well.

haukesdaddy I'm 25 years old and when this flick came out I was only 13. Without exaggerating, I must have seen it in the theater between 10 and 15 times. Watching it not only entertains you, but it gives a glimpse of what life was like and was going on in the early to mid '90s. From the gang element, the drugs and the music that was popular at the time... Some of these things we still see or hear quite often (the Mazda commercial uses the song "Zoom Zoom Zoom (The Capoera Song)"). It also explores a "martial art" that was little known, since Capoeira is actually more closely related to a dance, than a fighting style (made popular in the U.S. in the fighting game "Tekken 2" and Tekken 3"). Aside from the fact that some of the actors needed a few more acting lessons, I think it was a very good movie and would (and do) recommend it whole-heartedly.

Nate (Cavedog_pdx) First off, the capoiera scenes in the movie are amazing! Capoiera is the Brazilian martial art designed to allow one to fight while in chains ergo the cartwheels and acrobatics. The music is a lot of fun too and the soundtrack is a lot of fun!However, this is one of the worst offenders of movies that have thirty year old high school students - er - actors in their late 20s playing 16 year olds. The main character does a Michelle Pfeiffer-esque dangerous minds revolution in what is supposed to be the worst high school in LA by taking a group of the "worst" students and teaching them martial arts. Well these "worst" students actually just seem like wise cracking slackers and not all that bad. Many are just quiet and look bored. The bad guys in the movie are also capoiera experts. Who'd have thought there'd be a Brazilian capoiera gang right there in Los Angeles? Okay the movie is utterly unbelievable but the funnest thing about this movie is the blatantly thick overtones of homo-eroticism. Seriously it's just a crack up seeing these guys trying to act all macho while doing these martial arts. Perhaps it's bad acting combined with excess testosterone but it's a hoot to behold! Very much a party movie for your gay friends!

bronsonskull72 Mark Dacascos stars as Louis Stevens an U.S army ranger who teaches troubled kids a new style of martial arts that turns the kid's lives around, however a gang leader tries to find a way to sabotage Steven's work in progress in this dull action flick. The actionscenes themselves are the lamest since Kurt Thomas started swinging from handles in Gymkata, while Only The Strong preaches a message that will no doubt bore anyone over 15.