This movie wasn't one of those award winners with a big cast. The plot was ok..nothing great...acting was ok...but for some reason it's one of my favorites.
I was 19 when this movie came out and I wanted to look like Diane Lane so bad. She looked great in this movie. I just wanted to add my 2 cents. Whenever this movie comes on cable I make sure to Tivo it. I will never tire of this movie.
You just explained it. That's what it meant for you. For others it meant different things, but it reached a cult-sized audience. I think it's great because it has so many fun characters and set pieces and the music is just effin' fantastic. I was already a fan of TEN people in this cast. I've since become a fan of many more. I just adore it. I've seen it a ridiculous number of times, a lot of them on the big screen.
Once, at a midnight showing at the old Akers Mill theater in Atlanta, they slaughterhouse fived the damn thing! They ran it with the reels out of sequence. People complained, but it screened all mixed up anyway, and most people stayed. LOL!
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Palin/Nugent 2012! Smell that? Mmmmm... sarcasm.
I just bought the DVD. ;o)
I saw it twice on the big screen, once in a regular commercial theater when it first came out, then again sometime later (possibly as much as a year later) at a free screening in a nearby college theater. I was not a student then. I just went over to see the movie again, for free.
I was either 27 or 28 then. I'd spent about ten years *trying* to be something kind of like the archetype Tom Cody represented -- joined the Army just to shoot their guns and everything -- but it hadn't really worked, and I was still pretty much just another walkin'-down-the-sidewalk kind of guy. Yeah, I had a gun or two, but, so what? As Johnny Rocco said in _Key Largo_, "*Thousands* of guys got guns."
The projectioneer did a poor job, and, to my further annoyance, the mainly-student audience reaction was generally negative. I mean, to the movie itself, not just the botched screening. I never understood why some people disliked it so much.
I remember trying to discuss it with some other audience members later in the hallway, and I was trying to explain about symbolism and alternate realities and Jungian archetypes and so forth, and how all these different neighborhoods were like separate, squabbling city-states in ancient Greece or Renaissance Italy and all, but they just thought it was "dumb."
Well, I thought they were too dumb to get what it had to offer. They thought they were too smart for it, when in fact it was all going right over their heads.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
Great music, beautiful Diane Lane, solid action scenes and the simple fact that it's an obvious parody of action movie cliches.
share I have to say the "sledge hammer" (actually railroad spike-driving mauls, I think) duel was fairly unique. The only things I can think of that were really comparable were the climactic fight on the moving flatcar in _Emperor of the North Pole_(1973?), or maybe the chainsaw duel in _Dark of the Sun_(1968).
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
I just downloaded the soundtrack. Amazing musical score. The coloring of the scenes with that nostalgic look, Diane Lane Deborah Von Walkenburg and Rick Moranis over the top. Had something for everyone in this movie.
shareI remember trying to discuss it with some other audience members later in the hallway, and I was trying to explain about symbolism and alternate realities and Jungian archetypes and so forth, and how all these different neighborhoods were like separate, squabbling city-states in ancient Greece or Renaissance Italy and all
now this dude gets it!
I like that interpretation
I was 21 when I saw this (was released 1984, right?) and hormonal, a late developer, fell in love with Michael Pare, was at the height of all the wonderful stuff happening in the (much maligned 80's a decade of great change musically and otherwise) and I just remember being blown away big music, the production and just the pure outlandish romance of it all - Mills & Boon with extra great music and just right there, in your face.
For a rather naive 21 year old was pure gold!
"If you build it, he will come"
I was 20. And I saw it every chance I got, like at midnight movies and stuff. I loved everything about it.
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Diane Lane is the main reason i love it. The film itself is great too with an excellent soundtrack. find it really funny seeing Rick Moranis trying to act like the big man. Its just a all round quality movie that never gets boring. great song to finish the film too.
I like the film because it feels almost like a classic western...the reluctant hero (almost an anti-hero), rolling into town and facing off against insurmountable odds to accomplish his goal, and basically kicking a$$. I'm a big fan of the short-lived FOX TV series "Firefly" for the same reason.
I also dug the atmosphere of SOF...the 1950s cars and lingo combined with the almost post-apocalyptic decay and breakdown of society was not only a cool combination, but even somewhat *believable*. Almost as if the film was set in an alternate 1980s, years after Russia dropped the bomb on the U.S. (and after maybe 20 years or so of world war), and society had barely evolved since.
By Jove, I think you got it! (Especially the alternative history/timeline part.) ;o)
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
It appeals to me because it inspired some of my favorite japanese anime at the time. Megazone 23, Bubblegum Crisis, and maybe others. Look at the intro to the first episode of Bubblegum Crisis and it almost looks like a replica of this movie.
shareI read that this film was highly popular in Japan at the time and was the influence of many anime series at the time. One of my favorite anime OVAs, Red Photon Zillion: Burning Night, was said to be inspired by this film.
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People of the IMDB forums: Please learn how to type!
Rather stylishly directed by Walter Hill!
Its that man again!!
Funny thing is, I was too young to see this movie in theaters when it came out back in 1984 yet I love it.
For me I guess, I saw the movie on VHS many years ago and something about it really pulled me in. I think that the cast, the acting, the setting and atmosphere, the music, and the action was more than enough to get me to like this movie. The moonwalk being in it also helps out too.
Michael Pare really comes across like a true ass-kicker but managed to have great on-screen chemistry with Diane Lane. Willem Dafoe is a truly crazy and sadistic antagonist in this "rock and roll fable". Also, naturally since the same guy who directed The Warriors (a true classic imo) is responsible for this movie it makes sense that this would be a classic and a really good piece of cinema too.
I can't speak for anyone else but IMHO it seems that just about everything about this movie really clicks and it has plenty of memorable scenes. That's my take on it and why it's so appealing to me.
Totally agree. I also love The Warriors. Dave and I saw it at countless midnight movies and art houses over the years and I bought that Special Edition DVD when it came out. Though I think I prefer the original version of the film. What's your opinion on that Daj?
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I agree about the original version being better. The comic panels, while interesting, I felt were unnecessary in the Special Edition.
I liked this film b/c it was a good mix of action, romance, and comedy.
It's one of the few action films that could truly be categorized as a "chick flick."
Never thought of that before, but you're right. LOL!
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Hi Deb, it's been a long time. How have you been?
I did want to point out one thing: I managed to get this movie put into the regular collection in my city's library system.
Before whenever I reserved this movie, I had to reserve it from out-of-town libraries because the county didn't have it in the system (it was too rare) and it took at least a month or more to get to my reserve shelf. The library then cancelled everyone's option to do that recently, which sucks.
But anyway, long story short I finally got mad and said "what the hell? I might as well try and see if I can order this movie locally" and then I asked the library system where I live if they could order the movie.
They said it was easy and inexpensive and now I'm first in line to receive one of the 3 copies the city/county library has ordered and put into the system!
Added note: people were lined behind me to get copies of this movie too, so apparently I did some people a great service by requesting this. I almost feel like a hometown hero. lol.
Silly story, I know. But now more people can see this incredible film whereas they most likely would not have been able to had I given up on it.
I heard the soundtrack first, liked the songs so much I had to check out the movie - always interested in obscure 80s films. Once I got used to it (and stopped asking myself stuff like, "where's Diane Lane? She's barely in this! Are we gonna get deeper characterization/more dialogue or what?) - I started to enjoy the atmosphere. It is like an alternate timeline 50s/80s setting and the storytelling's sort of stylized like a comic book. Like a comic book, the visuals are key, the characters are kind of basic and the dialogue is kind of cheesy... but it's all kind of cool anyway. :)
And McCoy is so funny and kickass. Love her. Love the ending which can be interpreted however you want - as two sparring partners/buddies going off to have more adventures... or possibly as a future couple, more suited for eachother due to camaradarie and common background/goals ...I mean, Ellen Aim seems to represent the young love/one who got away/fantasy object ...whereas McCoy is more real and down-to-earth and likely to be a long-term thing. Lacking the "epic" star-crossed quality, but more attainable and sustainable, y'know? It seems like Tom's walking away from Ellen (and the song that's playing and fades away) is symbolic of leaving his youth behind, and it's a bit bittersweet, like thinking of an old high-school crush or something - but just because that first passion didn't work out, doesn't mean your life is over... and then the ending turns happy, when McCoy drives up...the future looks bright.
I'm a sap. But it's a feel-good movie. And the music really does make you feel like rock and roll can save your life. :)
I heard the soundtrack first, liked the songs so much I had to check out the movie - always interested in obscure 80s films. Once I got used to it (and stopped asking myself stuff like, "where's Diane Lane? She's barely in this! Are we gonna get deeper characterization/more dialogue or what?) - I started to enjoy the atmosphere. It is like an alternate timeline 50s/80s setting and the storytelling's sort of stylized like a comic book. Like a comic book, the visuals are key, the characters are kind of basic and the dialogue is kind of cheesy... but it's all kind of cool anyway. :)
And McCoy is so funny and kickass. Love her. Love the ending which can be interpreted however you want - as two sparring partners/buddies going off to have more adventures... or possibly as a future couple, more suited for eachother due to camaradarie and common background/goals ...I mean, Ellen Aim seems to represent the young love/one who got away/fantasy object ...whereas McCoy is more real and down-to-earth and likely to be a long-term thing. Lacking the "epic" star-crossed quality, but more attainable and sustainable, y'know? It seems like Tom's walking away from Ellen (and the song that's playing and fades away) is symbolic of leaving his youth behind, and it's a bit bittersweet, like thinking of an old high-school crush or something - but just because that first passion didn't work out, doesn't mean your life is over... and then the ending turns happy, when McCoy drives up...the future looks bright.
I'm a sap. But it's a feel-good movie. And the music really does make you feel like rock and roll can save your life. :)
I was 19 when I saw this in the theaters. I had never heard of it and it was shown as a double feature, where this was the lesser known of the two. I wanted to see it because I had been a fan of Diane Lane since "A Little Romance". From what I overheard from people in the theater, this movie blew away the other one!
Of course I loved it, for multiple reasons: Diane Lane is a fabulous actress and I always wanted to look like her. Michael Pare was so dreamy as the strong but silent kick-butt hero. Willem Dafoe was sooo creepy scary as the bad guy. Amy Madigan totally rocked as the unique side kick and was the biggest surprise by far. Rick Moranis was hilarious as Fish. And add to this all the great side characters: Lee Ving, Elizabeth Daily, Richard Lawson, Bill Paxton...the list goes on!
Beyond the great characters that these actors/actresses brought to life, the 50's style with a post-apocalypse urban 80's feel, the great music, slices of life from various club/bar scenes and very entertaining fight sequences all merge together to give this a legend sort of feel. And since it's billed as a Rock n Roll Fable, I wasn't looking for anything deep but enjoyed it for what it was. As such, it is delightful!
I showed this movie to a (much younger) friend of mine who loves all kinds of music and though he called the movie cheesy, he said that it was good cheese and he totally got drawn into it. I'm glad I finally found it on DVD so that I can watch it as much as I like or lend it to friends who haven't had the pleasure of enjoying this overlooked little gem.
What a great post. Thanks for sharing that with everyone.
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Notice how many folks on this thread are putting how old they were when the movie came out? Well, I was 21 then and 1984 was one of the very best years of my life. So I think its more about capturing a moment of when we were coming of age and especially the music brings those memories and images roaring back.
share