MovieChat Forums > Quicksilver (1986) Discussion > Quicksilver Is A Great Movie!

Quicksilver Is A Great Movie!

posted 10 years ago by Volken
12 replies | jump to latest

Rarely do I care to dispute someone’s opinion about the movie.

But Quicksilver is adorable little 80’s discovery, no matter how many times I confirm the same feeling.

Score from Tony Banks is superb, in fact I was surprised how prolific it was, easily bordering with some of the Thomas Newman’s electronic arrangements from the same decade. Less Then Zero comes to mind, as it uses same elegant synth pads for charging the right atmosphere.

Acting is absolutely genuine, even after 20 minutes, I have a good feeling about the crew, and they really click together. Some great shots and well developed sequences. Also, Gertz/Bacon chemistry is very likable, as it is not exploited from the story, in any other direction to serve exploitation for mass audience.

Nice photography work at the night scene when Bacon and Gertz are resting, again, with equal amount of score from Banks. I like supporting actors and characters they really add depth to Quicksilver.

Great opening sequence, almost like a TV show that has a great cultural tradition. Quicksilver is genuine and a very nice movie.

[–] stevewyzard 10 years ago

Thank you for your post - I agree on all points.

Being a Genesis fan, I was first made aware of this movie through Tony Banks' wonderful score. I didn't see it in the theatre, but finally saw it on cable a few years later. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and to this day I enjoy watching it to remember what the 1980s were like.

In a decade where there were far too many self-consciously sullen films, Quicksilver is just different from anything else I've ever seen: there are multiple instances where you think the movie will follow predictable cliches, and then it doesn't. Yes, Jack is naturally restored from his fall from grace at the end. Yes, the movie is very much of its time, from soundtrack to wardrobes. And yes, there are a few laughable "soap opera" moments, but I continue to make no apologies for liking this movie. Quicksilver epitomizes the best of the 1980s!

Way back there a reflection of me - turned my head in a circle of time
I thought life was for living - I thought life was a high time
I thought life was a fire - I thought life was a symbol.....

[–] cincykid07 9 years ago

Tony Banks score is my absolute favorite thing from this movie. It still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

The movie had such potential but somebody got hold of the screenplay and started diddling around adding stupid little subplots that were unnecessary. This movie was supposed to explore a deep character with redeeming qualities and Bacon was more than up for the challenge. I really think he was trying to shed the footloose teenybopper image but for some reason I really feel that the screenplay was manipulated to a point that the finished product feels like a 90 minute music video.

[–] chas437 8 years ago

The movie had such potential but somebody got hold of the screenplay and started diddling around adding stupid little subplots that were unnecessary.

Fair point, but I found this film to be beyond redemption, I'm scratching my head reading this thread.

Kevin Bacon was good, but not good enough to save this train wreck.

As far as the score, I think it sounds like it was created on cheap Casio keyboard. We hear the same cheesy synth music in all action sequences during the 1980s. It was the norm in the 80s, but it sounds ridiculous in 2015. What's good or original about it?

[–] LTUM 9 years ago

Rarely do I care to dispute someone’s opinion about the movie.

But Quicksilver is adorable little 80’s discovery, no matter how many times I confirm the same feeling.

Score from Tony Banks is superb, in fact I was surprised how prolific it was, easily bordering with some of the Thomas Newman’s electronic arrangements from the same decade. Less Then Zero comes to mind, as it uses same elegant synth pads for charging the right atmosphere.

Acting is absolutely genuine, even after 20 minutes, I have a good feeling about the crew, and they really click together. Some great shots and well developed sequences. Also, Gertz/Bacon chemistry is very likable, as it is not exploited from the story, in any other direction to serve exploitation for mass audience.

Nice photography work at the night scene when Bacon and Gertz are resting, again, with equal amount of score from Banks. I like supporting actors and characters they really add depth to Quicksilver.

Great opening sequence, almost like a TV show that has a great cultural tradition. Quicksilver is genuine and a very nice movie.

agree with all you said. this movie is so 80s. it represents the decade perfectly, in all respects. (dress, sets, colors, music, lighting, cast, story)

i see a lot of trashing on this board. eh what do they know. they are lost apparently.

something just hit me. these same people criticizing this film for its believability and who are go1ng all technical on the plot details and all...

...are probably the same ones who have no problem swallowing all the RIDICULOUS comic book films of the 2000s <yawn>

this movie is a stylish little fantasy from a specific era (80s) which definitely strikes the right chord (follow your dream, get back up after you fall, hang tough) for anyone in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.

--------------
Life is not a problem to be solved, it's a mystery to be lived... so live it!

[–] chas437 8 years ago

I think you are joking, at least I hope so for your sake. This is a total train wreck.

The score was made on a 50 dollar Casio keyboard.

[–] Volken 8 years ago

by chas437I think it sounds like it was created on cheap Casio keyboard

Synclavier to be exact. Provided you have anything more transparent and dynamically capable then pair of cheap PC speakers, then TB's Score sounds organic, lush and with beautiful pads. For purpose of your education :
http://www.500sound.com/uniquesync.html

by chas437We hear the same cheesy synth music in all action sequences during the 1980s. It was the norm in the 80s, but it sounds ridiculous in 2015. What's good or original about it?

There is nothing wrong with your dislike of Quicksilver's score, in fact it is desirable for healthy debate to hear different takes. But when you introduce intellect equivalent of preschool adolescence, and reduce your thinking to such level, who would ever consider you seriously? If you wish to receive, you have to give something. Educate your ways, read and learn, and with good will, I’m sure, you will be able to construct meaningful responses, that would not only make sense, but would also attract other emotions rather then laughter while stimulating others to take you seriously.

regards

[–] chas437 8 years ago

Educate yourself, read the critical reaction to this film. Its a POS. The musical score is garbage.

Instead of answering my question, you resort to insults, that's really a fresh approach.

[–] Volken 8 years ago

No at all Chas437, it was truly not my intention to insult you.

Your second insecure reaction is consistent with attempt to secure statement with "critical reaction" as your own reasoning is - weak at best. On your own, understanding music composition is only presented as a flying comment. While reading your "statement" it is very clear you are not adept to dissect the matter further then surface dislike. That, I’m afraid Chas437, is hardly constructive or capable explanation, unless it is addressed by the age-group 5-15 years and below.

Imagine if you would truly educate your ways, how more confident your comment would be? Then you would never need "critical reactions" of others, as on your own, you would be capable to competently form an opinion with equally constructive criticism.

I wish you all the best in 2015.

[–] chas437 8 years ago

You have no idea what my level of education is. You might be surprised.

I'm not obsessing on what a sh*tty film QS is, I watched a few nights ago with some friends, and we were laughing and cringing at the same time.

I've already wasted enough time posting about a crappy 80s film, out mate!

[–] SOteric (114) 2 years ago

Proof positive that education makes people more arrogant, more entitled, and more self-congratulatory.

[–] dominicd 8 years ago

...Quicksilver is genuine and a very nice movie.

I never saw this movie prior, so when I saw a very young Kevin Bacon, I thought hey, it's gotta be better than Tremors (1990). Anyway, I'd say it was just a nice movie (not "great"), in terms of nostalgic value, but how (as another poster cited) they jumped from San Francisco to New York, alleys of downtown Los Angeles, and I think the Universal Studios lower lot(?) was a bit disconcerting, if not atrocious. Yet, I liked the soundtrack.

Yet my "synopsis" would be: Guy loses job; guy gets another job; guy loses girlfriend; guy saves new girlfriend's life, and new girlfriend gets a new life?

- DominicD

"Always make the audience suffer as much as possible." - A. Hitchcock

[–] rateater (9228) 3 years ago

i enjoyed it.