Welcome one and all to my review of 1984 rock 'n' roll fable "Streets Of Fire". Before I begin I want to encourage you all to check out my previous posts which you can find on the archive section on the front page. As always if you have any comments or feedback leave a comment in the section below or by following me on "Twitter" and "Instagram"
As I mentioned before I will be talking about the 1984 film "Streets Of Fire". I had never heard of the film until I was recently catching up on my podcast listening and on "Get Up On This" the film was talked about. I went and watched some of the music videos from the film and I instantly needed to see it. The film was co written and directed by Walter Hill who directed "The Warriors" I bought my copy on "Amazon".
I can't recommend "Streets Of Fire" enough. The story follows the mysterious Tom Cody as he arrives in an unnamed city in an alternate 1950's as his ex girlfriend and lead singer of her band named "The Attackers", Ellen Aim has been kidnapped by Raven Shaddock and his gang named "The Bombers". Tom Cody, along with McCoy have to track and rescue Ellen from the clutches of Shaddock. This was rumoured to be the first in a planned trilogy of films and I am intrigued to see what could happen to Cody.
"Streets Of Fire" failed spectacularly when first released and I really can't understand why. What struck me as strange is that the lead character was a little but underwhelming. I understand that Tom Cody is supposed to be a mysterious stranger that is a man of few words but, there is a little hint of character building that is never fully explored. It was the supporting characters of Ellen Aim, played by Diane Lane and Raven Shaddock, played by Willem DaFoe that drove the film. DaFoe is a pantomime style villain that is despicable to the end. There is a fantastical, almost science fiction, feel to the film which I loved. When I was watching I almost forgot that it was set in the 1950's.
The soundtrack really drives "Streets Of Fire". The film opens with "Nowhere Fast" which is a quintessential 80's sounding sound and originally was supposed to close with the Bruce Springsteen song that "Streets Of Fire" lends it's name from however, Springsteen was reported to be unhappy at the prospect of not having the original recording featured in the film. The song was replaced with the incredible "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young" which closes the film in the most spectacular fashion.
Overall "Streets Of Fire" isn't the best film ever made, far from it however, I really enjoyed this underrated slice of over the top rock opera. This would be great partnered up with "The Warriors" as a double feature. You will be singing "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young" for days after.
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