zrm@mit-eddie.UUCP (Zigurd R. Mednieks) (06/10/84)
Meatloaf meets Blade Runner! This is one wierd movie. It has its faults, like a really weak plot, and some hammy acting, but altogether a film that ought to be seen. The extras casting, and the casting of supporting actors is incredibly good. Visually it is near perfect, amazing backlot sets, locations shots are mostly from the Chicago "L" and Lower Wacker Drive -- these places are for real and in use. The faces of the actors actually do a great deal to convince you the action happens in another place, another time. This effect is hard to describe, but they really do carry off the movie-as-comic-book visual effect they aimed for.
upstill@ucbvax.UUCP (Steve Upstill) (06/13/84)
I give it a pretty solid *** (of 4). Semantics: go see it, but don't expect Transcendent Entertainment. Hmmm, it's a little hard trying to peg exactly who to recommend this one to. Certainly stoned people; there is a lot for them to relate to in the principle characters' demeanor. Action fans, yeah: highspeed auto collisions, a sledgehammer/fist fight (hard to tell those two apart with the Dolby soundtrack). Rock'n'rollers, okay: the songs are good and fervently performed, and the live stuff well recorded (with several live numbers by the Blasters (yaaayyyy)!!!!!! The closest resemblance this movie bears is probably to The Warriors (also directed by Walter Hill). There is a definite mythical tone, the same terse (to the point of banality) dialogue, the same kind of broadly drawn heroic figures. I would say (advisedly), however, that there is a lot more "reality" in Streets of Fire, although it's still a long way from a slice 'o' life: the colors aren't as garish, the lighting/fog/gleaming wetness effects are pretty well integrated into the setting. Oh yes, the plot. Michael Pare plays an Army vet who gets hired to rescue Diane Lane, a rock singer a la Joan Jett et al, who has been kidnapped by the motorcycle-riding Bad Guys. No more plot without spoilers. There are a surprisingly large number of surprisingly interesting (as opposed to credible) characters, including Rick Moranis as a tough-talking Woody Allen type. How many? Well you see, there's this bus... There is some stuff in here I've never seen elsewhere. Notice the wipes between scenes, for example. Strong suits: action (v. little bloodshed, and remember this one somehow got a PG); editing, expected of Hill; photography; music (incidentals by Ry Cooder, songs by innumerable others). Weaknesses: premise (urban jungle which seems to have NO downtoun or nice places); acting (unless you get off on strong silent types); scripting (your basic Walter Hill tough- guy stuff). In summary, let me say that Walter Hill is a hell of a craftsman and he seems to be getting better at this sort of thing. That's basically what there is to this movie. Steve Upstill
jhall@ihuxu.UUCP (John R. Hall-"the samurai MTS") (07/16/84)
I just read in the paper (Chicago Tribune) today that Arnold Schwarzenegger said the last good movie he saw was "Streets of Fire". I'm not sure I'd buy a used set of barbells from him. Man, that movie stinks. -- --John R. Hall, ...ihnp4!ihuxu!jhall