The Best Movie Ever (For 20 Minutes)

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The magic of the first and last ten minutes of STREETS OF FIRE
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CAST & CREW
narrative writers
Jake Torpey
Mike Curran / mikel_curran
music by
Brian Metolius www.brianmetolius.com/
featuring
Emma Logsdon / msmegalodon
co-editor
Ryan Alva / papajohnmisty_
title sequence by
Madeline Metolius www.madelinemetolius.com/
______________________
TWITTER: / patrickhwillems
INSTAGRAM: / patrickhwillems
______________________________________
Additional music by Epidemic Sound
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Patrick Willems
P.O. Box 380333
Brooklyn, NY 11238

[@matthewweng8483]

I'm old enough to have seen Willem Dafoe's second movie and exclaimed 'Hey, that's the bad guy from Streets of Fire!' lol

[@samanthab1923]

To Live & Die in LA?

[@Fakeaorta]

@@samanthab1923 Technically 6th and 8th movie. But those two were the standout roles that really put him on the map!

[@fletchkeilman2205]

The Loveless is what I thought at first

[@slightrebellionoffmadison]

I feel bad for Michael Pare - everyone involved in the film says he gave a bad performance but I’m like, “You auditioned him. You cast him. You directed him. That’s on you. Not him.”

[@RickiHirsch]

"Grease by way of Escape from New York" is not something I knew I needed in my life

[@Joecbg100]

Diane Lane has a power ballad and Rick Moranis has a non conventional type as an antagonistic role.

[@randomstandard]

Awesome synopsis

[@Fakeaorta]

It is glorious! I have seen it like 30 times since it came out. LOVE it so much!

[@snakebitcat]

The opening and closing songs are TOTAL PERFECTION.

[@jnnx]

It’s really not, it’s just hyperbolic corporate suit elevator pitch BS.

[@Tomhyde098]

I saw the first five minutes of your video, turned it off, ordered the Blu-ray, it got here today, I just finished the movie and it’s one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. Easily. And I’ve seen 117 movies so far in 2024. I loved it!

[@jimheimerl1637]

Thanks for making me spend money. Money well spent.

[@benwasserman8223]

I'm a simple KZbin consumer - I see a video with a haunting thumbnail of WIllem Dafoe's face on it, I click.

[@Jakeyisdead]

That is also why I'm here. It's a plus that is from a great channel too

[@SixSidedVice]

You know, I'm something of a clickbait myself.

[@Ken-fh4jc]

I feel that way about Diane Lane. She’s one of the most beautiful women in the world.

[@elchuy111]

Same here brother 😂

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

That was a champion thumbnail.

[@AJLikesCats]

I actually screamed, "Yes!" in real life when I saw this video was about Streets Of Fire. I've been telling people about this movie for years. I mainly watched it because of Jim Steinman's involvement (because I'm part of that cult), but Willem Dafoe is also incredible in it. Excellent bad movie.

[@matthiasschulz3569]

Patrick was praising the amazing energy of the beginning and the end of the movie, and I was like, "Okay, Willems, you've got 2 minutes to mention Jim Steinman, or it's over between us!"

[@birchwwolf]

Steinman is a wonderful little Pandora's Box isn't he

[@duncantiv]

Jim Steinman is God, and Meat Loaf is His prophet

[@AJLikesCats]

I see we have some fellow cult members in the comments 😸

[@colmhain]

Willem Defoe is incredible in everything he does.

[@bardofhighrenown]

Since this movie is mostly shot on the universal back-lot. The diner is the exact same diner that appears in Back to the Future. So I have a head canon where Streets of Fire is the timeline in BTTF 2 when evil Biff takes over Hill Valley.

[@davidjames579]

And Biff is now played by Willem Dafoe

[@alejoparedes2388]

I love this theory, thank you

[@Joecbg100]

And if you switch the seasons, you'll see Billy Peltzer taking out Stripe and his gang in Gremlins.

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

I love it.

[@usaturnuranus]

That backlot is like a real locale in my dream-psyche. Deja-vu City. Every movie I'm looking for its skeleton. So iconic, deserves to be on the National Registry of Historical Places.

[@bl3343]

I love the Peter Gabriel reference any time Patrick says "Sledgehammer". I didn't get it until the second time he did it, but it's awesome!

[@DawnDavidson]

Dancing chickens! Iconic. :)

[@drop830]

Yes came here just to say this. Hilarious!

[@drop830]

Those "sledgehammers" are actually the hammers they would used to hit railroad spikes into the ties. They are called "spike mauls"

[@jnnx]

It took me until the second time I heard it too. Then I went, “OHHHHHHH, that’s clever”

[@MarcAquino1095]

There are so many music video directors who wouldn’t be who they are now without this movie.

[@TheHiyy]

Can you name any of them?

[@damienmb2365]

All of them were named Michael Bay.

[@robertomartinez5097]

I would like to know whom as well

[@angusorvid8840]

This film was highly influenced by MTV.

[@NurburgringMascotThirstA-is6gl]

@@damienmb2365 22:56 was directed by Michael Bay. Second time that music video has been relevant in a Willems video.

[@TainakaRicchan]

Me: "This gives me big Bubblegum Crisis Vibes" Patrick (minutes later): "It inspired Bubblegum crisis" It also gives me big "Repo! The Genetic Opera" vibes

[@fangjokerLS]

. . .and the game Final Fight. STREETS OF FIRE hit Japan harder than anything save Godzilla

[@raqsasim]

Oh good, came here to say this! Now I can watch the rest of the video :)

[@CorndogNinja]

and the game The Bouncer!

[@maldaror7097]

The vibes I get is Barb Wire.

[@arubinojr5670]

Bubblegum Crisis before Bubblegum Crisis may as well have been Jim Steinman's whole oeuvre, up to and including turning Total Eclipse of the Heart into a second-act vampire love song in German.

[@OscarFinn]

5 minutes in, I hit pause, listened to the soundtrack and the Blu-Ray arrives on Friday. Good job Willems

[@zwerker]

Have the soundtrack already, finally gonna drop the money for the 4K disc as well

[@BriGuyIL1980]

You forgot Amy Madigan being amazing as the ex-soldier who helps Cody. Her part wasn't even meant to be a woman, but she gave such an good audition, they rewrote the part and hired her.

[@SoulStylistJukeBox]

Yep. Hill was going to cast Edward James Olmos for the role. It took me years to understand why McCoy told Tom on two separate occasions “you’re not my type” 😂

[@amcaesar]

As had happened in another Walter Hill-associated movie, "Alien," wherein Ripley was never stated to be a woman yet cast as such.

[@sevds]

Amy was such an awesome part of the movie, in the end it shows the two of them teaming up (non romantically) and driving off for further adventures, it really is a shame we never got that sequel with Tom and McCoy.

[@dukecraig2402]

One of the greatest movie sidekicks of the 80's.

[@dbaggett45]

Uncle Buck's Girlfriend! 😀

[@rykx0r]

I never thought Cody looked old. He looked like someone who had been through shit. Like a soldier who had been to war and never come home. He's weathered and it's that strain and stress he's endured, that gives him the skills he needs to save Ellen.

[@samanthab1923]

So hot. Always thought he’d have a bigger career

[@rolanddenzel-authorcoach]

I agree. It would've helped if they called that out in the movie.

[@andrewklang809]

​@@rolanddenzel-authorcoachIt would have pretty funny if everyone who knew him said "geez Tom, you look like $#!+" as a running joke.

[@reikun86]

Michael Paré is one of my favorite actors. 😊

[@otomatic3668]

Agree, I never saw him as old either. He just looks like a bit of a meathead - I've been friends with guys who have that exact same build and look in their early 20s.

[@cninh4574]

The fact that it was titled Streets of Fire (a springsteen song) before they got permission to use his music is so funny. They brought Steinman in because his whole Schtick is parodying Springsteen - thats how he created Meatloaf. He even used Springsteen's keyboardist and drummer.

[@SpaceTreeStudios]

The good news is that the film has at least found a cult audience within the past decade or so. It got a 4K release about a year or so ago, the indie rock band The Protomen was influenced by it heavily to the point where the cover art for their 2nd album is a direct homage to SoF. For some added context that might also help out why the movie didn't perform as well (at least partially) is that it came out at the worst possible time. 1 weekend after Temple of Doom, the same weekend as Star Trek III, and the weekend before the 1-2 knockout punch of Gremlins and Ghostbusters. It stood no chance. and yes, Nowhere Fast and Tonight is What it Means to Feel Young are some of the greatest movie songs ever, and I would also like to acknowledge that Deeper and Deeper is underrated on the soundtrack.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

I enjoy _Countdown to Love_ , too.

[@bartolomeothesatyr]

Yeesh, terrible timing. 1984 was an awesome year to be a moviegoer, though, eh?

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

The Fixx song fit great during the closing credits

[@thelastchannelonyoutube]

I actually want to defend Cody as a protagonist a bit and why he looks and acts like THAT. Cody is an ex-soldier, he was enlisted right after he graduated from high school and served for several years. Ellen Aim (his ex) represents the life he left behind. Cody went to grow up and fight in war while people like his girlfriend stayed home, partied, and became rock stars. With this in mind (especially if you interpret the movie has taking place in a heightened reality), of course he looks older than everyone around him. Of course he looks out of place in a world of greaser punks and spoiled preps, because it’s a world he was disconnected from. Edit: for some reason I called Cody "Hardy", I'm bad with names in general but that was embarrassing even for me.

[@deparinge]

Am I crazy or does he not even look that old?

[@sevds]

Thank you, I think that perfectly encapsulates the different lives that Tom Cody and Ellen Aim have been living, he's been in hell for the past several years and it clearly did a number on him, I don't think he looks that old and but I think he looks like he's had a hard life which is 100% appropriate for the damaged character he's supposed to be, a man who is tough, will be there for you but will never really find love.

[@Hessic]

@@deparinge I don't think he does either, he was only 26 when this movie was made. Dafoe was 29.

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

@@Hessic Diane Lane: 19. For some reason it's hard to believe she would turn a mere 20 while making The Cotton Club!

[@Rickydiculus]

"led by a young William Defoe with his hair combed into some kind of demonic horn" Lol, the hairstyle Is called a Jellyroll, it's the same haircut that Wolverine has in the comics from his origin in the 1970s during a time when 50s Americana was having a nostalgic Moment.

[@deabreu.tattoo]

but it's almost a devilock, tho

[@davidjames579]

Dafoe as Wolverine!

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

@@davidjames579he woulda been perfect

[@adamlee6389]

Amazing- I watched the first ~20 minutes of this movie like two years ago on a whim, decided I was too tired and went to bed despite loving it so far, and never went back to it. Didn't know I was in the know.

[@adellis24]

You never picked it back up and didn't see the final 20 minutes, not you are NOT in the know... you are a part of the problem as to why this film doesn't get more respect.

[@JamesLawner]

Same thing happened to me! And I only made it to about 10+ min.

[@geoffhoutman1557]

Try ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Maybe best opening twenty in history

[@davidjames579]

Netflix would remember. And add it to the viewing figures.

[@Jogwheel]

YES! So glad someone else is singing the praises of "Streets of Fire" - it is WILDLY underrated. And gosh, Diane Lane in that opening might be the most beautiful woman ever committed to film. Have had such a crush on her for years... "Nowhere Fast" *is* a top-20 movie song, no hyberbole there at all. Such a great track!

[@lunacouer]

I'm gobsmacked that anyone not Gen X or older has even heard of this, let alone is covering it, let alone is singing the praises it deserves. Beyond "I Can Dream About You" being in the Top 40, the movie was underrated even in its time. So happy to see new generations find this diamond in the rough.

[@kenzent9778]

This movie is a gem for sure

[@MattValtezzy95]

I did not expect a Yu Yu Hakusho reference when clicking on this video, but I'm here for it. Glad to see Patrick is a man of culture.

[@jbirzer]

So, I was watching this past Friday (It has been on my list of movies to watch for years, and this upcoming video pushed me into finally watching it). During the opening concert, my 18 year old comes down, watches briefly and goes back upstairs. Found that she searched out the soundtrack and started listening to it. She came down and responded, "How have I not heard about this movie? The music fucks." You can always count on Jim Steinman to write bangers.

[@adellis24]

Wait until she sees Eddie & the Cruisers.

[@bl3343]

@@adellis24 My Mom tried to tell me that Eddie and the Cruisers were a real band. I believed her until I looked for more information on them online.

[@jbirzer]

@@adellis24 I admit, I had conflated the two films in my mind. I'm guessing the 50s retro asthetic. Or, that Michael Paré starred in both.

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

Well, they were a real band ... it was just John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. So, yeah, technically mom was wrong.@@bl3343

[@jimheimerl1637]

@@adellis24 Hell to the yes to this. I frickin' love that movie.

[@TheTerryGene]

I love the fact that Hill did his world-creating in this film ENTIRELY on a soundstage (including exteriors). I have always loved this film and I am glad to find out I am not alone.

[@reidboggs4344]

I like that he bothered with world building at all. This movie’s plot could have just as easily been set in some farm town in the 50’s and still would have worked, but he went extra.

[@christianmacdonald7519]

Without this movie inspiring Mike Pondsmith, we wouldn't have the Cyberpunk 2020 TTRPG.

[@digitaljanus]

YES. Cody and McCoy are the Solos (or maybe one is a Nomad), Fish is the Fixer, Ellen is the Rocker, Raven and his bikers are the Boostergang. It all fits.

[@simontmn]

@@digitaljanus Isn't McCoy more a Tech?

[@Mannahnin]

Remember that Cyberpunk 2020 is the remake/update of R Talsorian's original Cyberpunk RPG, which was set in 2013 and came out in '88.

[@LarsBlitzer]

So much of Cyberpunk 2020 was deeply rooted in 80's aesthetic it wraps around from being dated and passe to being incredibly stylish and cool again. No wonder CDPR decided to resurrect it for their game.

[@otomatic3668]

And arguably the Protomen too. I had no idea Pondsmith took inspiration from this, that's a very cool tidbit

[@georgeclinton4524]

My aunt showed me this movie last fall when she was staying over. Said it was her "comfort movie" and always brought her back to when she was in her early 20's in college and saw it in the theater. I was honestly kind of blown away by it. It's like something that was so influential but the actual source being not very widely known. I kept commenting about stuff like how it seemed like an anime. Like Cody in Final Fight is just Cody from Streets of Fire. I actually thought Michael Paré's performance was fine and highlighted how out of phase he was with the town and why he would stay away. Also the entire sequence in The Battery area that happens at Torchie's place is awesome. You really made it sound like the middle hour of the film drags and is a bit of a flop, but it isn't.

[@samanthab1923]

Torchy’s show up in a bunch of Walter Hill films. Best one, 48 hrs

[@TheBadBuffalo]

8:39 Shoutouts to the Peter Gabriel musical sting, I appreciated that

[@MattValtezzy95]

Thought I heard Sledgehammer

[@phagemaleficar]

PETER GABRIEL MENTIONED

[@chubstuff1954]

I watch your films on Nebula, but since I can't comment there, and my discretionary budget post Nebula support doesn't allow me to support anyone on Patreon, I came here to say thank you for making me laugh and think so often. I bounce around watching various film critics, but you are the benchmark by which they are judged. That doesn't make me unique, but the fact that I'm nearing 70 years-old, and am not a personal friend of your parents, at least makes me rare. Thanks for all your hard work, and the hard work of all those who surround you.

[@jnnx]

Who are his parents? Is Patrick another Nepo Baby?

[@Am-gs3cn]

​@jnnxweird take my inward hairs growing in the wrong direction my neck aches BALTIMORE NO MORE HERIOINE I WANT IT I WANT IT NEVORMORE QUOTH THE RAVEN NEVERMORE first of a trrrrrrilllllogy? Harrison Ford! Love. Diane. Kiss. F*ck. These two were passionate. Too old. Teen. 50s.

[@happywaterstudios6526]

Patrick’s feelings about Streets of Fire mirror my exact emotions regarding Tron Legacy. It carries many of the same critiques and flaws. Furthermore, my friends call me dumb when I show it to them. However, the cinematography, production design, music, and most of all vibes are transcendent to me. A quick note to add about Streets of Fire; it has a killer poster!

[@TrashHeapCustodian]

Tron Legacy is an amazing movie and it makes me sad when people think it isn't. Is it perfect? No, but DAMN are the vibes impeccable all the way through

[@SWProductions100]

If you haven't, I would definitely recommend the cartoon series 'Tron: Uprising,' set before Legacy. It's more of an adventure, but it does have its own visual flair to it. Sadly ended on a cliffhanger, but fortunately it did manage to somewhat develop its plot to a satisfactory point. Edit: Accuracy

[@samfrito]

You bet Tron Legacy is a very special mention to go along with Streets of Fire. The TLegacy story really appeals to how emotional its willing to get and amplifies the sacrifice Kevin is willing to make. It's a shame a lot audiences feel like once is enough and don't regularly rewatch Tron Legacy. It's got some beauty beyond light cycles and identity disc battles and stands on its own. Great mention!

[@jnnx]

Never trust anyone who says, “vibes”, they are not serious people.

[@euansmith3699]

This is one of my favourite films; especially the shot of Raven being carried away on the trike that mirrors "La Pietà". The costumes, props, sets, music and, especially, the hair-design are all top-notch; and the buzz-saw transitions are great fun.

[@occularmalice]

I'm one of the rare people that love this movie (along with The Warriors). It drags a bit in the middle but the beginning and end more than make up for it and I love this film.

[@SoulStylistJukeBox]

A 90 minute film that drags in the middle? Yikes.

[@razumijinatreides4691]

The warriors never gets boring. Bu this one...

[@williansantos6224]

this film gave us streets of rage and final fight, 10/10

[@MOSMASTERING]

If true, that's incredible.. it means theres nothing original ever, life is a remix of other things

[@kameoosama]

I actually first watched Streets of Fire earlier this year and somewhere in the middle I actually said "This is what a Double Dragon movie should've been like" and between its influence on Japanese pop culture and its connection to The Warriors I guess that reaction makes sense?

[@MCBoyerII]

Patrick is gonna love the Protomen when finds out about them

[@per-anders88]

Think that The Protomen have introduced a lot of people to this movie, me included.

[@ZimMan2]

Honestly, it cannot be understated how much of a rosetta stone for late 80's-early 90's Japanese otaku culture Streets of Fire is. Anime, video games, tokusatsu, they all took from Streets of Fire. It's basically that and Top Gun and you unlock the secrets of the OVA boom.

[@christianlarson2933]

I recently learned about the huge rockabilly/biker subculture in Japan, and Streets of Fire had to at least be partially responsible.

[@deparinge]

@@christianlarson2933 made sure to quickly double check and the stereotypical delinquent hair seems to predate this movie. For example manga that started from 1982 to the year this premiered like Bats & Terry, Shonan Bakusouzoku, and Be-Bop-Highschool gave multiple characters the same pompadour. I think they both just liked greasers

[@christianlarson2933]

@deparinge Yup, see also: River City Ransom (NES)

[@opa-age]

I got Bubble Gum Crisis vibes from that intro

[@jnnx]

@@christianlarson2933No, BIKER CULTURE is what is responsible.

[@TRPLD]

Jim Steinmann is such an undervalued composer he (co)wrote a lot of Meat Loaf’s greatest hits. And he wrote the music for my favorite musical ever, Tanz der Vampire (Dance of the vampires, a German musical).

[@TRPLD]

Sometimes it pays to wait to comment XD

[@Scriptadiaboly]

))))) ​@@TRPLD

[@jeffreywillstewart]

That tracks. SOF's soundtrack is really good. Sorcerer; I Can Dream About It, and Tonight Is What It Need To Be Young! Are awesome.

[@tomcarl8021]

Steinman also wrote 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and 'I Need A Hero' for Meatloaf, but they weren't speaking at the time, so he had Bonnie Tyler sing the songs, which he also produced.

[@mwalsh616]

This video coming after the “Video Game Adaptions” essay feels like the perfect time to mention the musical oeuvre of The Protomen: the Stienman/SOF-influenced rock opera based off of the Mega Man games. An absolute must-listen

[@irighterotica]

Dude. YES. This is crazy-I've never met a fellow Protomen fan in the wild before, from which I can only conclude we are exceptionally rare creatures.

[@jakespacecadet]

Yes!! Incredible band, Act II remains one of my favorite albums

[@christianlarson2933]

Thank you so much for bringing the existance of this to my attention.

[@TrashHeapCustodian]

And, connecting it to this video, they have a cover of In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins, which, if someone didn't know already somehow, is the drum fill right before the ad read. It's a pretty good cover!

[@davidjames579]

Streets Of Rage is Streets Of Fire. Diane Lane is Blaze!

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

Triple feature Walter Hill's "Streets of Fire" with Francis Ford Coppola's "One From the Heart" and Kathryn Bigelow's "The Loveless".

[@tannerjohnson6436]

"No Top Secret." Killed me dead. Also, love the new glasses.

[@tdowcna]

Val Kilmer ftw!

[@Hapsard]

I showed up in 84, and I loved it. Everyone and their brother is playing so very tough (including Rick Moranis!). Yes it has the most passionless kiss in the history of Hollywood, but it is on my list.

[@matthewbdemented]

Streets of Fire is still a 5/5 for me, but thank you for arguing for the last few minutes and Jim Steinman! I actually do think "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young" is the best song written for a film. Personally, I don't think Cruise would've fit into the cowboy archetype that Hill wanted and Pare filled in decently, and I'd argue him looking too old actually works in the film's favor. That stilted delivery is all apart of the package, baby. Rock 'n Roll Fable, man.

[@reikun86]

I love Tom Cruise, but I can’t imagine him being able to grab Rick Moranis by the scruff of the neck.

[@subtlebluntduality5997]

As it turned out, this was not the only Walter Hill movie to deal with music. A couple years later, he did Crossroads with Ralph Macchio and Joe Seneca inspired by the legend of blues musician Robert Johnson and how he supposedly sold his soul to the devil. Very underrated. Walter Hill is definitely a very underrated director. I am surprised you didn't mention his directing debut Hard Times. Great pairing of Charles Bronson and James Coburn about bare-knuckle boxing in New Orleans during the Great Depression.

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

The soundtrack for Crossroads confirmed my fandom for Ry Cooder. I ended up buying a handful of other Cooder albums from 70's and 80's (Get Rhythm, 1987, is my favorite Ry Cooder album). Streets Of Fire also introduced me to The Blasters who I did not really start to 'follow' until I heard the song Dark Night which was in the Robert Rodriguez movie From Dusk Till Dawn (1995). BUT, Walter Hill's cool modern Film Noir Johnny Handsome (Mickey Rourke) also had a soundtrack (instrumental) by Ry Cooder. Oh yeah, good call. Hard Times seems to be neglected. I haven't seen that on tv in it seems a decade. I've considered DVD. Maybe it can be found on Prime Video or KZbin.

[@georginatoland]

VIBES. I’m glad to have been a young person when Streets of Fire was in the cinema. Yes, we all knew it weird and over the top, but we sang the songs and cheered it on anyway. There is room in the world for a new Broadway interpretation of SOF. (Just look at how they brought Xanadu back.)

[@andersonic]

The thumbnail made me think this was Trouble In Mind (1985) in which Keith Carradine also becomes a villain with a hooked, lightbulb shaped pompadour. This wasn't a common look in the 80's, it's just weird that it happened twice. Trouble In Mind was a critically praised neo-noir with an out-of-drag Divine as a crime lord, and today it plays shockingly like a lost Joker origin movie. If you haven't seen it (no mention with Willem Dafoe's coiffure) it may be worth a movie lover's attention.

[@orb2150tx]

Lee Ving ( lead singer of legendary punk band FEAR) Is in this movie as one of Dafoes biker members. I think it should be noted. Lee is a true bad ass and steals scenes in whatever he does.

[@monsterguyx6322]

Their 1981 appearance on SNL was my introduction to punk rock, although I was still a little too young at the time to truly appreciate it...

[@samanthab1923]

He’ll always be the “All nude, all the time” guy from Flashdance to me

[@elcoyote9410]

Also played Mr Body in Clue

[@stavrosp1154]

Beef, beef, beef, beef bologna! Or how about, I love... Living in the city!

[@Max-oy6vx]

The song from the finale “Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young” was actually used for a musical once. Jim Steinman adapted a lot of his songs for the German musical “Tanz der Vampire” - itself an adaptation of the 1967 Polanski film “The Fearless Vampire Killers”. The song is called “Der Tanz der Vampire” in the show. Here’s the link (starts at 2:32): kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3bXlq1pi8p0nsksi=lSv2c0uy9W-abFoh

[@skidream321]

I had the pleasure of watching this fabulous film at the ABC cinema, Broad Green, Croydon UK, when it was first released and it blew me away. I then had the pleasure of sharing it on video with both my sons 38 years later over the Christmas holiday and it blew them away too. They had never heard of it. The editing is amazing, the splatter wipe scene transitions stunned me first time around, I had never seen anything so dynamic before. With regards to the Western aesthetic, all the firearms are straight from a cowboy film and the ambition of using tarpaulins to cover over the Universal backlot to allow night shooting during the day was inspired. Thanks for this one Patrick.

[@christianlarson2933]

Man, what I wouldn't give to have seen this in a theater when it came out. The opening scene gives me chills like nothing else in film, and to experience it in a room full of people on a giant screen must have been mindblowing.

[@harrywilliams9982]

I'm not ashamed to say on first viewing it took me well over an hour to finish the opening sequence of Streets of Fire, nowhere fast remains one of the greatest songs ever made for a film.

[@baymcculloch]

AGREE

[@davidjames579]

Was it the end of level boss that got you? He takes repeat attempts to defeat.

[@slimjimnyc270]

@harrywilliams9982. "Nowhere Fast" is not the best song- it's the final song "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young" which is the best. Both were written by the late great Jim Steinman (Bat Out of Hell Album; Holding Out for a Hero; It's All Coming Back to Me Now; Making Love Out of Nothing at All, etc.). The amazing thing he wrote the final song in three days. The man was a musical genius.

[@harrywilliams9982]

@@slimjimnyc270 i’m not willing to disagree considering they’re both great!

[@aliceholmes4952]

Keeping the memory of Jim Steinman alive, bless you Patrick. I knew it when the opening of Night of the Coconut hit me like a sledgehammer! What is that motif every time he says the word sledgehammer, I can't quite place it

[@leviconrad3752]

It’s the electric organ from Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”

[@leighwalton1608]

@@leviconrad3752 to be precise, it’s a digital sample of a shakuhachi from Peter Gabriel’s E-mu Emulator II

[@qxpxqx]

What a boldly, original statement!

[@owenturley6214]

F*** off Alice, that's my comment. Is this a thing now? We can just cut and paste some else comment. Why, what's the point?

[@FifthSea]

I love Streets of Fire, and I love the crazy story of how it got made, and all the crazy talent behind it. I love that it exists and I can't believe my favorite video essayist about movies covered it. I feel like you made this just for me 💜

[@BigDrahma]

I always enjoyed Michael Paré in this because I thought he was a hardened soldier coming back from active duty (my dad insisted it was because the cold war had heated up in the late 50s and society just... stagnated for decades, ostensibly this is the 80s) to take care of a problem at home. He's playing it world weary because he is world weary. He looks older because emotionally, he is.

[@Invictus1017]

agree!

[@deparinge]

Am I crazy or does he not even look that old?

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@deparinge He was 25 when he made this.

[@simontmn]

Yeah it made sense to me. Definitely didn't seem too old, except relative to Diane Lane if they were meant to be same age.

[@bartolomeothesatyr]

Active duty ages people, even if they never see combat.

[@quiddd]

The freaking Sledgehammer flute edits are sending me!

[@graefx]

As an aside, I didn't know I wanted a long form video essay on fantastical cities and now I need it.

[@MOSMASTERING]

I wonder if that will include cities on wheels, like Mortal Engines.

[@Jayfan34]

I just hope he was in Europe to see Megalopolis at Cannes so it's included.

[@georginatoland]

Oooh, and the visuals of Poor Things!

[@BenderRodriguz]

I don't think someone not knowing Rick Moranis is a thing you put a pin in, I think that's something you deal with right now.

[@chipwatford7676]

So what you're telling me is that this is due for a kick-ass Broadway adaptation to turn it into a full-on rock musical, like Newsies not being a hit until the Broadway adaptation

[@preciousroy6079]

I didn't know about this movie but the second I saw Ellen Aim I was like "oh yeah, that's where Priss and the Replicants came from." Always fun to hear someone shout out old anime like Bubblegum Crisis! p.s. as much as people love the original, Tokyo 2040 is extremely underrated imo.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah, I had already seen a lot of 80s anime before I saw this for the first time, and it's funny how many tropes I recognized in it. Especially William Dafoe's hair, which became THE hairstyle for any bosozoku type afterward.

[@ShineAqua]

This was the inspiration for the anime. If you listen to that first song, "Nowhere Fast", you'll hear parts of it that were... borrowed for "Konya Wa Hurricane."

[@digitaljanus]

​@@ShineAqua There's a video edit on KZbin placing the opening of this film with the first episode of BGC and it's practically a shot-for-shot remake.

[@EphemeralTao]

Oh yeah, I got that exact same reaction when I saw Streets for the first time. BGC is one of my favorite anime series'. I had to go back and re-watch the BGC opening after watching Streets just to make sure I wasn't mis-remembering how similar it was.

[@deparinge]

@@jasonblalock4429 made sure to quickly double check and the stereotypical delinquent hair seems to predate this movie. For example manga that started from 1982 to the year this premiered like Bats & Terry, Shonan Bakusouzoku, and Be-Bop-Highschool gave multiple characters the same pompadour. I think they both just liked greasers

[@Greensleeve11]

Patrick Willems doing a video on Streets of Fire??? True perfection.

[@michaelmachiavelli]

I un-ironically loved this movie when I was a kid and I still love every neon drenched overdramatic dripping minute of it. Of all the movies that need a remake this is the one along with the rest of the 3 part series THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN MADE!!!!

[@ocelot15]

I'm so happy you made a movie about "Streets of fire". I watched it once, 25 years ago, and it's still in my head. Definitely exceptional movie.

[@tr83ey23]

Emma hasn’t seen Little Shop of Horrors OR Honey, I Shrunk the Kids? This show truly is always shrouded in mystery.

[@alejoparedes2388]

It's a different generation, I'm the same age as her and I haven't seen them either

[@PiemanPerkins]

You had me at "Greaser Psycho Willem Dafoe"

[@Cotygeek]

The Peter Gabriel sting at 8:40 was perfection.

[@CaesiusX]

Nice to know it is appreciated. The opening and closing numbers are phenomenal! I danced to them at my wedding reception decades ago.

[@MeanderBot]

I would highly recommend listening to The Protomen: Act II. A shameless rock opera that is admittedly inspired by this movie.

[@Neverfate]

Patrick "I wish this city were more well defined..." Me "Like Walter Hill's The Warriors!" Patrick "...like Walter Hill's The Warriors." Yessss. What a perfect journey through cartoonish gang ridden hyper violent 70s NYC that always gives you a good idea of where the characters are.

[@GrigoriRasputin]

"I Would Do Anything For Love" and "It's All Coming Back To Me" have always been, in my mind, two parts of the same story. Now it allllll makes sense! Thank you!

[@heartjakehotel9955]

This video was great! Best of the season imo. Simple, straightforward, interesting and entertaining. No frills, no annoying sketches, no bs.

[@Knishook]

None of the other songs you listed are in my Spotify playlist, so you were right with your first assessment of Tonight is What it Means to be Young being the best movie song ever written.

[@michaelsepesy3930]

Walter Hill also was one of the people responsible for the Tales from the Crypt series and directed two of its best episodes-- The Man Who Was Death and Cutting Cards.

[@zachjones113]

Another great video. Thanks for all the you do Patrick & Co.!

[@TheJoestewart]

Ive been following you for a long time and always enjoyed your videos, but recently, you have really stepped it up a notch. Well done. Great work

[@atester1]

Does Patrick know about Albert Puyn and Michael Pare fan made sequel called Road to Hell? Made about Ten Years ago. I forgot about it until this video. Was a big Fan of Streets of Fire (I'm old), going to pull out my copy and watch it again. Wasn't Erie Hudson in it too as the cop?

[@owenturley6214]

Keeping the memory of Jim Steinman alive, bless you Patrick. I knew it when the opening of Night of the Coconut hit me like a sledgehammer! What is that motif every time he says the word sledgehammer, I can't quite place it?

[@obato76]

It's from Peter Gabriel's 1986 hit song "Sledgehammer"

[@owenturley6214]

@@obato76 Of course!, So obvious now you say it.

[@qxpxqx]

What an oddly specific, original statement, Alice!

[@qxpxqx]

What an oddly specific, original statement and message to the group, Alice!

[@chuckleberryflin]

This was one of the first “80s” movies I had ever seen. My dad bought it on DVD about 11 years ago when I was 13. Talk about a trip man

[@jeanlucpedanou608]

Spot On - Well Said. I think that I have been waiting for this video for over 20+ years.

[@unconcernedsalad2]

I THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE BUBBLEGUM CRISIS

[@joepalmer3795]

Wow a "serious" movie analyst talking about Streets of Fire. One of my favorite shoulder shrugging movies. I adore the soundtrack, it is my all time favorite, with no competition. And when I watch the movie I always have to wonder "how does a movie have this soundtrack, that cast, be this well shot, and yet be so... meh?" I think you actually answered that. Thanks

[@DaneForrester]

Thanks for doing this one man. Watched this a lot as a kid and it just hit me with the off kilter setting, colorful characters and good mix of music. Definite vibes movie.

[@topdogred]

This is a wonderful analysis that I have always wanted to see. Thank you.

[@langleymneely]

3:50 I know it’s just a bit but I think my soul aged beyond repair to hear Emma ask who is Rick Moranis!? Im SO OLD and ANCIENT!!! lol

[@bl3343]

You're not alone.

[@YannickBelzil]

Funny this follows a video game adaptation video since Streets Of Fire is a key aesthetic inspiration of one video game genre: the sidescrolling beat-em up. Double Dragon has obviously taken the Streets Of Fire's plot and borrowed its urban environment. Also, for a while, a lot of video game protagonists from japan just looked like Tom Cody, especially Final Fight's Cody! Also, costume-coded enemy gangs are clearly inspired from the Warriors, making Walter Hill the secret father of the Beat-em-up genre!

[@emarino9805]

Just discovered your channel like a month ago and have binged nearly every video you’ve made! Your videos are incredible!!!! You’re like the Jacob Geller of film KZbin, and I mean that as the highest form of praise!

[@ForlornCreature]

I watched Top Secret again with my partner who hadn’t seen it before last night and I cannot tell you how much joy the references are bringing me

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

Top Secret is fun. Spoofing Elvis movies, spy movies, 50's teen flicks. Ha I want to see it again now.

[@JefferyEPetrone]

Oooo Walter Hill, that's exciting!

[@JefferyEPetrone]

"How Silly Can You Get" may be a masterpiece, but "Skeet Surfing" is what the cool cats really groove down to.

[@fangjokerLS]

It's totally bitchen, ridin' waves and blasting pigeons

[@trinityj1]

Intellectuals know 'Shop At Macy's and Love Me Tonight' is the real peak.

[@artirony410]

glad to see any mention of this film, its one of my all time favorites

[@willbacewicz2087]

Well damn, I guess I'm suscribing to this channel now. I love it when someone shares their own take on a piece of art and is able to poke fun at their own ideas

[@AndrewBehm]

Can't wait for the (potential) cities essay!

[@CorndogNinja]

"can't live up to the action musical opening" is also how I feel about Bubblegum Crisis (which heavily homages this in its opening)

[@paulmarchano7238]

This movie is such a gem. So amazing to see all the talented actors so young. And the track “Nowhere Fast” is still a bop.

[@andytaylor160]

First saw this as a kid in the early 80’s on VHS, loved it ever since. Always good to see love for it!

[@cboehm24]

Gen Xers who watched this on repeat on daytime basic cable also know it's a classic.

[@nbi7872]

Patrick & Emma, the Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon of their generation. 🙂

[@Epicurus341]

Great to see that so many others feel the same way as I do about this movie. I have watched the video of "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young" repeatedly and every single time it overwhelms me with emotion. Easily one of the best songs ever written for a movie!

[@thezieg]

I was a senior in HS in '84 and went twice to see it. Loved it. Bought the album.

[@unitedstatesofamovie]

This movie fucking rules! We discuss it on our Illinois episode and pit it against Ferris Buellers' Day off and The Untouchables

[@tdowcna]

Blues Brothers?

[@Vractis]

Or "Scotty Doesn't Know" from EuroTrip?

[@rantanplandalton7088]

You nailed it, Patrick. Yes, these first ten minutes of the movie saw me standing up from my couch and staring at my TV thinking « why haven’t I seen this movie before ?!? » (and by the way, yes, Temple of Doom is my favorite Indy, by far)

[@raulburriel]

The way you lean into the great music of this movie validates everything I’ve known about Streets of Fire since I first watched it decades ago. The fact that Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young has been on my playlist for years and I didn’t know it was written by Jim Steinman is a great embarrassment.

[@HankScorpio1982]

You switched from Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins audio gags, is this a secret Genesis centric episode?

[@frederickburke9944]

Recommendation for a future video: Buckaroo Banzai. It is hilarious! and it is intentionally hilarious, yet most people might not notice it is meant to be funny. They might think it unintentionally funny because it is so-bad-it-is-good. But that is because they don't get it. When you finally do get it... wholly shit it is genius.

[@monsterguyx6322]

In all the years since it came out, I have only talked to a few people who have seen or even heard of that movie... Like other "cult films," I think it was just too damned weird to have a mass appeal.

[@evanmorris1178]

A wonderful movie. Fantastic performance by John Lithgow. And Yoyodyne….brilliant.

[@TheoriginalBMT]

Ahhh, I remember my dad watching this on VHS decades ago and I watched the opening scene. It always stuck with me. Been meaning to watch it again in my adult hood now.

[@Jetpackninja]

Well, now I know what soundtrack I'm listening to at work today. Love this movie.