Streets of Fire is very popular in Japan and has inspired many anime and video games such as episode 1 of Bubblegum Crisis to Zillion: Burning Night to Megazone 23. Video games that were inspired by Streets of Fire were Double Dragon, Final Fight and Streets of Rage.
So Streets of Fire (which is one of my favorites movies) is responsible for the existence of two of my other favorite movies (Dark City and Matrix which were both inspired by Megazone 23). And it's responsible for the entire Beat'em up genre?! Just wow!
Yeah especially Final Fight. If you play the first Final Fight game the character Cody's portrait even looks heavily inspired by Michael "Tom Cody" Paré's face. There are a few other elements inspired by the movie as well like the game's ending.
yeah I remember reading about the making of Streets of Rage and they mentioned having a big screen TV in the office that was just playing American action movies on a loop. Oh and yeah, Nowhere Fast song sounds just like a Bubblegum Crissis intro
Michael Pare would've been a great Bruce Wayne/Batman back in the day. You're right about Amy Madigan being the best part about this movie, she's like the ultimate badass tomboy. Remember how much fun tomboys were, before the left tried to turn them into a new gender?
I love that Amy Madigan’s character keeps telling Michael Pare’s character: “you’re not my type!” As a teen I was too young to understand what she meant by that.
Diane Lane worked with Francis Coppola for The Outsiders and Rumble Fish (both 83) and The Cotton Club - released in 84, the same year as Streets of Fire.
I love how they're all miserable there and with each other almost like it's just par the course. They all give one an other shit for a few minutes,then they're being rational. They live in the rutty city because they're outcast ,wayward souls.. With attitude ,but really they care alot for it and each other..The part that stands out to me as an example.. It's when Bill Paxton is asks Tom ,hey how bout a drink,tequila that's what you drink,right Tom? Tom ignores him and continues the cycle of cynical between everyone. They just got back from bringing Ellen back. Nobody got real hurt, Tom and Dafoe s characters even were straight and civil with one another. Admirable even. Well the block was on fire but that's just stuff. This should be a win and a celebration. That's what Paxton wishes. So when he tries to lighten the Brooding in the room. He gets nothing and he has this sad reaction and it had me in stitches. Dude wants a buddy. He always gets punched in his face. Not every one of those was his way of talking to people. The movie is awesome for this .
Great review Rich - thanks man. I'm not gonna watch this movie - just like I'm never going to read a comic book. I just enjoy listening to you bring your inimitable brand of Gen X enthusiasm and insight to these pop culture properties for which I feel consummate indifference.
TOTALLY HAD THE MEATLOAF FEEL DIDN'T IT!!?? but ya. the sorels did the moonealk in the filming before michael jackson even. the movie was so quirky i had to look that up. n ya. it rocked. also. the seen where Bill Paxton is washing glasses by himself you see the star of david in the infamous blue neon (rolls eyes) great movie though. YES TOTALLY NOTICED THE HAIR THING🤣🤣 the first pan of the camera. the colours off of the wet pavement you just KNEW this movie was a vision of a dream. made me think how they'd have to saran wrap n plastic cover all of the gear for dust n stuff 🤣🤣🤣. great find.
Listened to your review a year ago. Finally got around to watching it. It's pretty good. The sidekick is probably my least favorite part, but she kinda grew on me. The editing is great and it looks amazing. Love the gun and the red car.
I liked this movie a lot. It was really fun. I have seen in more times than I can count. Whatever you do, never ever ever watch the sequel that made about 20 years later. Gah.
I watched this a few years ago, generally liked it. It came to my attention from the iconic poster, that The Protomen aped for their 2nd album cover. And then the anime Bubblegum Crisis, which ripped off the intro song scene. Fun movie, but the poster has to be 100x more known than the movie itself.
omg, I freakin love Streets of Fire! Almost everything is "wrong" with this movie, and that's why it's great! The comparison to Big Trouble In Little China is astute. It has a very similar aesthetic, but Streets Of Fire has a lot more wipes, and a sledgehammer fight! And yes, Amy Madigan's character is the best part of the film. I didn't know that role was supposed to be a male. That makes a lot of sense, but it wouldn't have been half as good.
If you can find it, do a review of My Science Project (1985) with John Stockwell, Danielle Von Zerneck, Fisher Stevens, Raphael Sbarge, and a whacked-out-of-his-mind Dennis Hopper. A low budget teen flick that is way better than it has any right to be.
Not sure if this has been posted in the comments yet, but apparently this movie was in some way an inspiration to the band Protomen and their 2nd album- Act 2: Father of Death. It's a rock opera rendition of the video game Mega Man. Not sure what your music tastes are like, Zack, but it would be interesting to hear an outsider's perspective on the album.
YOUNG Diane LANE AND MUSIC! GOOD LORD....William Dafoe...Gonna watch this! Classic Story... Vet comes home to his old Town, to find it's possesed by EVIL. Reminds me of the Spaghetti Western: Keoma Bill Paxton too? Have you seen "NEAR DARK"? #RickMoranis #Alfalfa The Soundtrack seems similar to "This Aerobic Video Wins Everything" on RUclips!
Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong with this classic, other than it was marketed or released at the wrong time. This movie has a young Diane lane with looks that HAD to inspire Jennifer Lopez, music by Jim steinman, and a plot and setting that literally inspired the capcom classic “Final Fight.”
I never liked this movie but I think it's because as a kid I thought it was going to be more scifi than it was. I'll give it another try as an 'adult'.
I'm not interested in this film personally, but even I have to admit that Japan LOVES Streets of Fire. Like, REALLY loves it. Like, influenced many anime episodes and videogames over there.
"Do you make up songs on the spot?" - Ya Boi "Is Darth Vader's favorite song,,, On the Dark Side?" -me Dude I legit make up songs on the spot every single day most of them are for my dog and she loves them at least I think she loves them maybe she likes them because I feed her but I just know she would give me the golden pass if she was a judge on America's got talent.
It never even occurred to me that you wouldn't have seen this before, it's the most Zack movie ever. And I mean that in the good way, not the 'other' Zack with the extremely questionable movie tastes. The 'sequel' (which should never be mentioned again) was made by Albert Pyun, who practically had his own shelf in '80s & 90s video stores. I'm pretty sure that the rental fee was higher than the budget for some of his movies, but he did create some cheesy classics.
I remember researching the 'sequel'. It had the same vibe that Forbbiden Zone 2 did. All green screen, poor acting and or directing. Just trying to cash in on the cult name value. Passed on both even though i love the originals.
ok now i can listen. I've watched it. this was mot a character arc story lol. all characters stayed true to themselves and their values. sure 2D but the colours n sets n use of props lmao. like john waters meets dick tracy. did you say that? why does that seem familar? k. I'll shut up now. . . . "ya i know you, you're the guy with the right hook." Dianne!! he knocked you the fup pout!!! 🤣🤣🤣
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"Tonight is What It Means To Be Young" is a soaring, operatic Jim Steinman masterpiece and you will never change my mind.
Agreed 100%. It's every bit as good as Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and it's a damn shame hardly anybody remembers it.
Streets of Fire is very popular in Japan and has inspired many anime and video games such as episode 1 of Bubblegum Crisis to Zillion: Burning Night to Megazone 23. Video games that were inspired by Streets of Fire were Double Dragon, Final Fight and Streets of Rage.
So Streets of Fire (which is one of my favorites movies) is responsible for the existence of two of my other favorite movies (Dark City and Matrix which were both inspired by Megazone 23). And it's responsible for the entire Beat'em up genre?! Just wow!
Yeah especially Final Fight. If you play the first Final Fight game the character Cody's portrait even looks heavily inspired by Michael "Tom Cody" Paré's face. There are a few other elements inspired by the movie as well like the game's ending.
yeah I remember reading about the making of Streets of Rage and they mentioned having a big screen TV in the office that was just playing American action movies on a loop.
Oh and yeah, Nowhere Fast song sounds just like a Bubblegum Crissis intro
So true Streets of fire is very popular in Japan
Michael Pare would've been a great Bruce Wayne/Batman back in the day.
You're right about Amy Madigan being the best part about this movie, she's like the ultimate badass tomboy. Remember how much fun tomboys were, before the left tried to turn them into a new gender?
NOTHING! nothing is wrong with Streets of Fire, literally perfect film, 10/10
I love that Amy Madigan’s character keeps telling Michael Pare’s character: “you’re not my type!” As a teen I was too young to understand what she meant by that.
Streets of Fire has been one of my favorites for a good while now. Nowhere fast is such a great movie song
Diane Lane worked with Francis Coppola for The Outsiders and Rumble Fish (both 83) and The Cotton Club - released in 84, the same year as Streets of Fire.
“Tonight is what it means to be young” - Best movie tagline ever.
Walter Hill: Hard Times, The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48 HRS, Streets of Fire. All essential.
This movie always makes me think of something that could have been written and produced by Jim Steranko. It's crazy as Hell but still a lot of fun.
Didn't find out about this one till college. Great fun, amazing soundtrack album - and sledgehammer duel.
I have watched this movie like 20 times. It's amazing, and my go-to for introducing people to group movie night.
Also, I love that final song, it's nothing but cheese
I discovered the film during the pandemic and couldn't stop listening to the song on video cause of a young Diane Lane in red spandex.
The soundrack is awesome, man.
I love how they're all miserable there and with each other almost like it's just par the course. They all give one an other shit for a few minutes,then they're being rational. They live in the rutty city because they're outcast ,wayward souls.. With attitude ,but really they care alot for it and each other..The part that stands out to me as an example.. It's when Bill Paxton is asks Tom ,hey how bout a drink,tequila that's what you drink,right Tom? Tom ignores him and continues the cycle of cynical between everyone. They just got back from bringing Ellen back. Nobody got real hurt, Tom and Dafoe s characters even were straight and civil with one another. Admirable even. Well the block was on fire but that's just stuff. This should be a win and a celebration. That's what Paxton wishes. So when he tries to lighten the Brooding in the room. He gets nothing and he has this sad reaction and it had me in stitches. Dude wants a buddy. He always gets punched in his face. Not every one of those was his way of talking to people. The movie is awesome for this .
Great review Rich - thanks man. I'm not gonna watch this movie - just like I'm never going to read a comic book. I just enjoy listening to you bring your inimitable brand of Gen X enthusiasm and insight to these pop culture properties for which I feel consummate indifference.
Nothing is wrong with it. This movie is awesome dude.
Yeap.
Yeah it's perfect
Nothing is wrong it’s amazing!
TOTALLY HAD THE MEATLOAF FEEL DIDN'T IT!!?? but ya. the sorels did the moonealk in the filming before michael jackson even. the movie was so quirky i had to look that up. n ya. it rocked. also. the seen where Bill Paxton is washing glasses by himself you see the star of david in the infamous blue neon (rolls eyes) great movie though. YES TOTALLY NOTICED THE HAIR THING🤣🤣 the first pan of the camera. the colours off of the wet pavement you just KNEW this movie was a vision of a dream. made me think how they'd have to saran wrap n plastic cover all of the gear for dust n stuff 🤣🤣🤣. great find.
The end song was AWESOME!!! What are you talking about man...lol
I saw this in the theater and loved it, but I haven't seen it in years. I think I need to get it on DVD.
Listened to your review a year ago. Finally got around to watching it. It's pretty good. The sidekick is probably my least favorite part, but she kinda grew on me. The editing is great and it looks amazing. Love the gun and the red car.
Pretty much, my all-time favourite film.
Yes!! Seen this movie a couple of months back and absolutely enjoyed it
This is an Amazing movie!
Hey, STREET OF FIRE IS AMAZING!!! The music in it is some of the best ! I got the very special limited run blue ray 4 year ago, very proud of it !
I liked this movie a lot. It was really fun. I have seen in more times than I can count. Whatever you do, never ever ever watch the sequel that made about 20 years later. Gah.
Walter Hill's "Extreme Prejudice" would be ripe for a Splatto review. Expendables + Neo Western
Liked the film. Loved the soundtrack.
I had this movie poster on the wall of my bedroom back in the 1980s when I was a teen, but I have yet to see this movie.
I watched this a few years ago, generally liked it.
It came to my attention from the iconic poster, that The Protomen aped for their 2nd album cover. And then the anime Bubblegum Crisis, which ripped off the intro song scene.
Fun movie, but the poster has to be 100x more known than the movie itself.
Hill thought of the film as a a homage to the Biker movies and Westerns he watched as a child during the 1950s.
This was filmed as a R but edited down to a PG shortly before it was released.
Diane Lane was in The Outsiders in 1983 FYI
When I hear 'Streets of...' all my mind hears next is 'Rage' 😄
The only thing wrong with Streets of Fire is that it bombed. I'm glad Japan at least loved it.
I wish somebody would do a fan fiction of Gotham in the 1950s in the vain of Streets of Fire. That would be awesome 😎
I've haven't seen this yet, but Michael Pare was great in The Philadelphia Experiment.
omg, I freakin love Streets of Fire! Almost everything is "wrong" with this movie, and that's why it's great!
The comparison to Big Trouble In Little China is astute.
It has a very similar aesthetic, but Streets Of Fire has a lot more wipes, and a sledgehammer fight!
And yes, Amy Madigan's character is the best part of the film.
I didn't know that role was supposed to be a male. That makes a lot of sense, but it wouldn't have been half as good.
I loved the soundtrack and still have it on cassette.
Streets of Fire inspired both an anime (Bubblegum Crisis) and a fideo game series (Final Fight).
The characters in Megazone 23 go to a Streets of Fire screening.
0:49 The Still Image already gets my Juices Flowing. Where did you watch it?
#DOUBLERETRO
If you can find it, do a review of My Science Project (1985) with John Stockwell, Danielle Von Zerneck, Fisher Stevens, Raphael Sbarge, and a whacked-out-of-his-mind Dennis Hopper. A low budget teen flick that is way better than it has any right to be.
I haven't seen it, but the songs from the soundtrack make me want to. I feel the same way about "The Last Dragon."
Walter Hill rules! I had to watch Streets of Fire about ten times; I was working as an usher at a movie theater. Didn't mind, though.
Diane Lane's first big movie was the Outsiders.
Most of Walter Hill’s film are approx 100 minutes. Very lean. QT can barely make a film under 2 hours and 30 mins.
Yeah. And totally lean.
I reccomend Psycho GOreman that's a super comic book movie. Basicly imagine if Skelitor was forced to become the best friend of an evil little girl.
Love this film. If you like this you should see Knightriders, Blood of Heroes, Trouble in Mind, and Miracle Mile
Not sure if this has been posted in the comments yet, but apparently this movie was in some way an inspiration to the band Protomen and their 2nd album- Act 2: Father of Death. It's a rock opera rendition of the video game Mega Man. Not sure what your music tastes are like, Zack, but it would be interesting to hear an outsider's perspective on the album.
I know this movie by reputation, I want to see it, this video just adds to that, I look forward to being able to watch it.
YOUNG Diane LANE AND MUSIC! GOOD LORD....William Dafoe...Gonna watch this!
Classic Story... Vet comes home to his old Town, to find it's possesed by EVIL.
Reminds me of the Spaghetti Western: Keoma
Bill Paxton too?
Have you seen "NEAR DARK"?
#RickMoranis #Alfalfa
The Soundtrack seems similar to "This Aerobic Video Wins Everything" on RUclips!
Only part of your review that I have to disagree with your assessment Tonight is What it Means to be Young. That song was fire when I was a kid.
Word. I still blast it while driving with my windows down.
Walter Hill made some great films Have you seen " Southern Comfort ' that's a great film Zack
God, i remember this film back from 80s. I always thought it was a musical.
Seriously.
I love this movie. I saw it on cable as a kid.
The cult hit film was aired on syndication since 1987, thanks to PolyGram Television.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong with this classic, other than it was marketed or released at the wrong time. This movie has a young Diane lane with looks that HAD to inspire Jennifer Lopez, music by Jim steinman, and a plot and setting that literally inspired the capcom classic “Final Fight.”
I never liked this movie but I think it's because as a kid I thought it was going to be more scifi than it was. I'll give it another try as an 'adult'.
I'm not interested in this film personally, but even I have to admit that Japan LOVES Streets of Fire.
Like, REALLY loves it.
Like, influenced many anime episodes and videogames over there.
The Fabulous Stains, Diane Lane was hotter.
"Do you make up songs on the spot?" - Ya Boi
"Is Darth Vader's favorite song,,, On the Dark Side?" -me
Dude I legit make up songs on the spot every single day most of them are for my dog and she loves them at least I think she loves them maybe she likes them because I feed her but I just know she would give me the golden pass if she was a judge on America's got talent.
It never even occurred to me that you wouldn't have seen this before, it's the most Zack movie ever. And I mean that in the good way, not the 'other' Zack with the extremely questionable movie tastes.
The 'sequel' (which should never be mentioned again) was made by Albert Pyun, who practically had his own shelf in '80s & 90s video stores. I'm pretty sure that the rental fee was higher than the budget for some of his movies, but he did create some cheesy classics.
Is it free on RUclips? Cuz there's some decent free movies on RUclips.
I can dream about it.
Your choice of thumbnail looks like an AI program trying to render Kenickie from GREASE...
Dick Tracy but better!? Gotham before Batman got there!? That's not even heresy, that's double heresy!
Willem Dafoe could’ve been one of the best jokers
I remember researching the 'sequel'. It had the same vibe that Forbbiden Zone 2 did. All green screen, poor acting and or directing. Just trying to cash in on the cult name value. Passed on both even though i love the originals.
streets of fire was great its like a bad role playing session set to film
I have never seen this movie.
ok now i can listen. I've watched it. this was mot a character arc story lol. all characters stayed true to themselves and their values. sure 2D but the colours n sets n use of props lmao. like john waters meets dick tracy. did you say that? why does that seem familar? k. I'll shut up now. . . . "ya i know you, you're the guy with the right hook." Dianne!! he knocked you the fup pout!!! 🤣🤣🤣