Review of Streets of Fire (1984) by Danny R — 05 Jun 2012

Walter Hill's imaginative and highly stylized cult-classic from the mid 80s; is a hard-boiled, fast-moving comic strip of a film that leaves a lasting impression. A rock & roll fable, that takes place in another time, another place; a rich combination of the past with fantasy.

A dark, gritty urban atmosphere full of neon-lit wet streets, vintage cars, corrupt cops and murderous outlaw biker gangs. The tale concerns the rock singing sensation Ellen Aim, superbly by played by a very young Diane Lane who is doing a benefit gig in her old neighborhood The Richmond.

Raven the sadistic and psychotic leader of the motorcycle gang called The Bombers, played to perfection by Willem Dafoe in a terrific scene-stealing performance that is truly chilling, kidnaps Ellen right off the stage during the concert.

Reva, played with some ballsy grit by Deborah Van Vakenburgh writes to her brother Tom Cody, played by Michael Pare who is compelling as the tough, cynical and laconic ex-soldier turned mercenary, and Ellen's ex-lover to come back to The Richmond and rescue her from Raven.

Ellen's current boyfriend and manager the nerdy Billy Fish, amusingly played by Rich Moranis offers Cody $10,000 to bring her back, put wants to come along to make sure he does the job right, also coming is an ex-female soldier who Cody met in a bar named McCoy, played nicely by Amy Madigan who at her sassy best here.

Now Cody and McCoy must venture to The Battery; the seediest part of the city which is completely controlled by outlaw biker gangs, to find Ellen and bring her back to The Richmond. A visual delight thanks to the extraordinary cinematography by Andrew Laszlo.

The film was shot entirely on the striking, elaborately constructed soundstages on the Universal backlot, with production designer John Vallone's gloriously impressive sets that create a retro world of the 50s.

but the film's biggest asset is the brilliant and rousing Ry Cooder's score, that features the chart-topping hit "I Can Dream About You." A unique slam-bang fantasy, that offers a hell of a good time.

Highly Recommended.