Streets of Fire

One of the Greatest

This movie is absolutely awesome. It demands attention from those who don't even like rock and roll music. Every character was believable and the action wasn't overdone like some of the action movies now. It's an excellent movie all the way round.

A most under-rated film

Walter Hill's Streets of Fire is a movie that will be looked back on with much more respect than it got when it premiered. This stylish action drama, termed a Rock and Roll Fable in promotions, is set in a fictitious town (although you might be led to believe it's New York with all the New York street names) and features Michael Pare' as a punk turned soldier. He is summoned home by his sister, played by Deborah Van Valkenburgh, to rescue rock queen Ellen Aim (Diane Lane) from the evil Raven. Diane Lane plays Ellen with intensity and that trademark smouldering sexuality that she has always been known for. Rick Moranis plays her manager and boyfriend with a geeky weasel quality that is very entertaining. Willem DaFoe, in one of his early roles, portrays bad guy Raven with an intensity that really stands out. You can tell from this performance that he was destined to become the star that he is today. A superb performance by Amy Madigan as a butch tough girl is one of the real highlights of the film. She is just marvelous as one of the heroes of the story. The soundtrack featuring songs by Meat Loaf collaborator Jim Steinman shows off the songwriter's talents. Walter Hill works with the music and makes it become a full participant in the action. Visually the film is very fast paced and stylish with good techniques throughout. Overall, this is a good film and belongs in your collection. Street Of Fire should be re-released and given another chance on the big screen.

What more could you want?

Ry Cooder scored this Walter Hill film that features Rick Morannis previewing his Ghostbusters performance the same year. Early work by Amy Madigan and Willem Dafoe. Critics panned Streets of Fire as an insipid coming of age film. Consider it instead as a classic quest: beautiful princess (Diane Lane) kidnapped (and bound to a bed) by ugly villains (Dafoe and Co.), handsome, reluctant hero (Michael Pare). A duel with charmed weapons. Escape in an unconventional vehicle with singing sidekicks. Raging bonfires, big black motorcycles and a heavy back beat. What more could anyone want? Listen hard and you will recognize the great original music from this film. It is reused all the time and you never knew it.

A Rock Fable

'Streets of Fire' is a 'rock fable' set in an unknown time. Michael Pare is the macho hero, Diane Lane his rock star girlfriend, Willem Dafoe the bad guy motorcycle gang leader, Rick Moranis is Diane Lane's nerdy agent 'boyfriend', Amy Madigan is a butch tomboy ('I'm a soldier'). The GREATEST ORIGINAL ROCK SOUNDTRACK EVER!!! Some songs and appearances by The Blasters. Even some great doo-wop. A cool 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible as a bonus. And as a hetero (but not 'metro') male it's hard for me to judge, but I'd guess that to young females in the audience the closing song may be the best 'female fantasy love song' ever!! Great songs include 'Nowhere Fast', 'Sorcerer' (later covered by Stevie Nicks, a proto Steveie song), and the closer 'Tonight is What it Means to be Young'. A GREAT movie for some mindless 'B-movie' (but much higher production quality) entertainment!!! In my personal movie hall of fame.

The movie seems to be ok.

I've seen this movie its ok but it has a lot of action it. I thought all the characters did a great job.

It's OK to be going nowhere fast

The poster promises ''A Rock and Roll Fantasy,'' and the movie really delivers this well. One of the songs has the line, ''it's OK to be going nowhere baby, but we should be going nowhere fast.'' The movie lives up to this line; it's plot is almost ignored in the rush that characterises the frenetic blast of Rock and Roll. William Dafoe is seen in an early part of his career and is a fantastic bad lad. For an evening of romantic escapism with great music grab this one.

Tight Movie

This movie is not trying to impress anyone with acting or plot, it is just plain fun mixed with powerful music from the eigthies and fifties. Don't watch this film expecting to see something like ''Citizen Kane'', come looking for a movie that delivers exactly what it offers.

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