Line #184 Characters/StreetsOfFire


1	!!''Streets of Fire'' Characters:
2
3	[[foldercontrol]]
4
5	[[folder:Tom Cody]]
6	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pimaxqxdzyvbnohnico5ybinhzs.jpg]]
7	[[caption-width-right:350: "You know somethin'? The only trouble with kickin' the shit outta you is it would be too easy."]]
8
9	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/MichaelPare
10
11	* AntiHero: Tom Cody has a bad attitude and initially only agrees to rescue the damsel because of the money.
12	* BadassDriver: After driving the Roadmasters out of the Diner, Tom takes Reva on a ride in his new car. They are then pulled over by Price, who remarks on how troublesome Tom was in the past.
13	* BadassLongcoat: Tom Cody wears a drab trench coat and Raven is often seen in a black leather duster.
14	* CoolCar: After giving the Roadmasters a CurbStompBattle, he takes the car they brought into Richmond. Also Tom: "I just picked it up today."
15	* CombatPragmatist: An unusual case in that his pragmatism leads him to be merciful: [[TechnicalPacifist by shooting holes in the Bombers' bikes instead of the Bombers themselves]], he avoids legal complications, and the conflict remains (Raven's version of) sportsmanlike and doesn't escalate to something murderous.
16	* DidNotGetTheGirl: Tom and Ellen still have feelings for one another, but they both realize that they still don't work as a couple and depart on good terms.
17	* DrivesLikeCrazy: He likes to break in his new cars, as he demonstrates to his sister.
18	* HadToBeSharp: Being an army veteran and involved in an unspecified war (Lampshaded to be similar to the Vietnam War), Cody had to be skilled in order to survive not getting killed in the war. This plays a pivotal part in Cody rescuing Ellen.
19	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Tom Cody. Saves his ex for money, kicks out her fangirl, and generally makes everyone dislike him... and then he lets Fish keep the money, reconciles with Ellen, and saves the town from the bikers. And is implied that he kicked the girl out to keep her safe.
20	* KnightInSourArmor: Cody. A former soldier who has been disappointed by life, but he still knows right from wrong.
21	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Tom seems to have this realization after everyone is alienated from him, and soon starts to set things right.
22	* NotSoStoic: The one time Cody really panics is when the Sorels' bus catches on fire and they can't cool it off.
23	* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Cody states that he's only saving Ellen for money, not love, but reveals his true feelings later.
24	* TechnicalPacifist: Tom shoots holes in the Bombers' bikes instead of the bombers themselves to avoid legal complications and a murderous escalation of conflict.
25	* WouldHitAGirl: Knocks Ellen out so he can go back to Richmond for his fight with Raven and [=McCoy=] can continue taking her out of town.
26	* YouKillItYouBoughtIt: Technically all the Roadmasters were still alive when they left their nice car behind, but going back for it meant facing Tom again.
27	[[/folder]]
28
29	[[folder:Ellen Aim]]
30	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/streets_of_fire.JPG]]
31	[[caption-width-right:350: ''Tonight is what it means to be young'']]
32
33	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/DianeLane
34
35	* AllGirlsWantBadBoys: It's lampshaded by Price that Tom has a history of getting in trouble with the cops in his youth. Makes sense on why Ellen never got over him.
36	* TheChanteuse: Ellen Aim, who's played by Diane Lane.
37	* ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike: Ellen is furious that Tom went to save her for money. To be fair, Billy - who at the time wasn't aware of her previous relationship with Tom - inadvertently managed to inform her of this in the most hurtful way possible ("Do you think he did it for love? Because he's your greatest fan? He gets paid, dear."), and when confronted about it, Tom (in his own wounded pride and hurt feelings) rubbed it in her face that [[BlatantLies he had rescued her for money, not because he cared]].
38	* DamselInDistress: Ellen is kidnapped by Raven and his gang at the beginning of the film. Her rescue sets the plot into motion.
39	* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Ellen's concert. She looks like a total badass in her performance... then Raven kidnaps her. After being put on his bike, she breaks and becomes a panicking mess.
40	* MeaningfulName: Ellen ''Aim'': "The things they say and the things they do / Nothing's gonna stop us if our aim is true".
41	* TheLoad: Ellen never grows enough to give Raven a what for after her kidnapping. In fact, a large majority of the plot is basically Cody and company trying to keep Ellen safe from Raven and his goons.
42	* OverTheShoulderCarry: Ellen is given this treatment after Raven and his men attack the concert to kidnap her.
43	* ScreamingWoman: Happens at the beginning of the film, but it's understandable. She performed in the Richmond so many times in the past that she didn't anticipated that this night would end with her getting kidnapped by the Bombers.
44	[[/folder]]
45
46	[[folder:Billy Fish]]
47	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/277884_full.jpg]]
48	[[caption-width-right:350: "I never should have let myself get talked into this dumb benefit. I could be making some real money tonight. All right, let's get this thing started."]]
49
50	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/RickMoranis
51
52	* AndroclesLion: Billy Fish does end up rewarding The Sorels, whose bus they snuck through town on (and go confiscated) by signing them up for lucrative contract.
53	* BoisterousWeakling: Downplayed. While he's not the traditional manly-man Tom Cody is, and while he's no good in a fight or a chase, he's also nervy, brave, and impossible to intimidate. He even stands up to Raven personally when Tom isn't around, and even having his lights punched out doesn't make him cower.
54	* TheDandy: Billy Fish wears a tweedy suit and bow-tie during the rescue operation, which completely contrasts with what everyone else is wearing.
55	* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Billy Fish is Ellen Aim's boyfriend as well as her manager, but he recognizes that Tom is Ellen's [[OneTruePairing True Love]] and offers to stand aside. For his part, Tom realizes the in the long run, Billy is better for Ellen's career and her happiness. He also doesn't want to take Ellen's music away from her. (His original complaint was that he didn't like "coming in second to her music.") Each says Ellen would be better off with the other guy, leading to this exchange:
56	-->'''Billy Fish:''' "Listen, Tom... I won't stand in your way with Ellen. I know how things are between you two."\
57	'''Tom Cody:''' (after a beat) "I'd only slow her down. Besides, she needs you more than she needs me."\
58	'''Billy Fish:''' "Sure, she needs me... but she ''loves'' you!"\
59	'''Tom Cody:''' "She'll get over it. Besides, she's used to me being unreliable and disappearing on her."\
60	'''Billy Fish:''' "Is that what I'm supposed to tell her?"\
61	'''Tom Cody:''' (shrugs) "You're better with words than I am."
62	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: For all his whining and complaining, for all his constantly insulting and condescending to ''everyone'' he meets except Ellen, he rides right into Hell for Ellen along with everyone else, not to mention charging out into the fight onstage in the opening scene and trying to face down Raven just before the sledgehammer fight (he's pathetically ineffective both times, but still. Whatever else you can call him, he's no DirtyCoward). Furthermore, he quickly comes to the defense of the new band, showing he is definitely no racist either. Also, despite his petty greed, he agrees to not one, but two benefits in Ellen's old neighborhood (with notably less complaining the second time). See also: IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy.
63	* MotorMouth: Only when he is agitated.
64	* TheNavigator: He's not crazy about going back, but he's the only one of the team who's lived in The Battery, so he's got to be the guide.
65	* NonActionGuy: Billy has balls made of pure brass and won't let something like the knowledge he's about to get his ass kicked stop him.
66	* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: He's not unfamiliar with greasing a few palms to get by.
67	[[/folder]]
68
69	[[folder:[=McCoy=]]]
70	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/277885_full.jpg]]
71	[[caption-width-right:350: "Everywhere I go there's always an asshole."]]
72
73	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/AmyMadigan
74
75	* TheAlcoholic: She is introduced as a heavy drinker. When Clyde tells her that she's had enough, she clocks him in the face.
76	* AntiHero: [=McCoy=] is a drifter and it's hinted that after the war, the soldiers were not given help to help them take care of themselves. If anything, [=McCoy=] joins Cody to save Ellen to keep afloat in this lousy world.
77	* BadassDriver: Two occasions. The first during Ellen's rescue and then with the Sorel's tour bus through the battery.
78	* GirlsWithGuns: [=McCoy=]. The role was written as male. Amy Madigan just happened to give an awesome audition.
79	* HadToBeSharp: Like Cody, she survived the war in repairing motor vehicles to help soldiers in the war. Her skills with firearms help in rescuing Ellen from the Bombers' hideout.
80	* HeroOfAnotherStory: During the course of the movie, Tom had to ditch his newly-obtained CoolCar in the Battery so the Bombers couldn't follow them. [=McCoy=] went and got it back for herself before the end of the movie, which must have been interesting considering all the Bombers came back to the Battery at once themselves.
81	* HypercompetentSidekick: [=McCoy=] has shades of this, though it could stem from the villains being unwilling to hit a girl.
82	* TheLadette: [=McCoy=] was written as a man, but eventually cast with a female actor, turning her into one of these. Very little of her lines were changed.
83	* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Being a drifter is a horrible way to live. So when Cody has [=McCoy=] join in the rescue with a payment promise, she joined in.
84	* PlayingHardToGet: She tells Tom flatly that he's not her type, but later mentions to Reva that she likes to do this.
85	* TheSquadette: [=McCoy=], who else.
86	* WrenchWench: [=McCoy=], who does most of the driving.
87	[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder:Baby Doll]]
90
91	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/streets_babydoll.png]]
92	[[caption-width-right:350: "I know you. I know who you are, dig? I love your stuff so much, I really do."]]
93
94	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/EGDaily
95
96	* AscendedFangirl: One of Ellen's fans decides to tag along with the group, even giving them crucial information about the police patrols.
97	* MotorMouth: Baby Doll is one of Ellen's fangirls.
98	* NoNameGiven: Ellen's fan, who's called "Baby Doll" in the script.
99	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Baby Doll is last seen helping Ellen after Tom gets his payment from Billy. She isn't seen anywhere during the concert after the final battle. It's a mystery of where she went once the story concluded.
100	[[/folder]]
101
102	[[folder: The Sorels]]
103	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_sorels.jpg]]
104	[[caption-width-right:350:''Countdown to love'']]
105
106	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/StoneyJackson, Creator/GrandBush, Creator/RobertTownsend, and Creator/MykeltiWilliamson
107
108	* CharacterSignatureSong: ''I Can Dream About You''
109	* CoolShades: All four wear these during their performance at the ending.
110	* DooWop: The type of music the band performs.
111	* EstablishingCharacterMoment: The Sorels sing ''Countdown To Love'' after Cody has [=McCoy=] hijack their tour bus. Upon seeing a police blockade, The Sorels then warn Cody and the gang about the dirty cops in the Battery. As thanks for helping them return Ellen to the Richmonds safely, Billy Fish signs them on as the opening for Ellen's charity concert after the Bombers leave The Richmond District and becomes their manager.
112	* FakeBand: The Sorels are this. Though Robert Townsend is a real life singer.
113	* FourManBand: Averted and a 'literal' sense. There are four men in the Sorels: Bird, Reggie, Lester, and BJ.
114	* LyricalDissonance: ''I Can Dream About You'' is catchy, but the lyrics are depressing. They foreshadow that Tom won't stay to be with Ellen.
115	* NoNameGiven: The audience is never provided the full, real names of every member of the band.
116	* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Bird and BJ. Their real names are never provided.
117	* OnlyOneName: Lester and Reggie. Their full names are never given.
118	[[/folder]]
119
120	[[folder:Reva Cody]]
121	[[quoteright:288:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ruas_de_fogo_streets_of_fire_1984_z9.jpg]]
122	[[caption-width-right:288:Let me give you some news, Tom. The Bombers and this guy Raven Shaddock, they stole Ellen Aim.]]
123
124	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/DeborahVanValkenburgh
125
126	* CoolBigSis: Reva Cody is Tom's big sister.
127	* WhatTheHellHero: Reva gives one to Tom for his habit of alienating anyone who might care about him with his attitude. It works and he turns down his share of the reward, apologized to [=McCoy=], and makes up with Ellen.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Officer Ed Price]]
131
132	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/streets_of_fire_19842_1024x555.jpg]]
133	[[caption-width-right:350: "Well, he's always been a real bad ass. I busted him a couple of years ago. He had a pistol in the glove compartment of his car."]]
134
135	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/RichardLawson
136	* DoWrongRight: The police chief gives Cody permission to fight Raven after his plan to resolve it peacefully fails.
137	* HonorBeforeReason: Officer Price tries his best to uphold the law by the book, which means he can't go after Ellen as it's outside his jurisdiction.
138	* KnowWhenToFoldThem: The leader of a biker gang wants a mano-a-mano fight against a drifter at a certain place at a certain time? Thanks for showing up, you're under arrest. The leader summons his massive biker gang? Have a good fight.
139	* OutGambitted: The police chief tries to get Cody and Ellen out of town while he arrests Raven. He didn't expect Raven to have an army of bikers at the ready. Good thing Cody returned when he did.
140	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: The police chief tries to get Cody and Ellen to leave the city to avert a final showdown. Cody--though unwillingly--gets Ellen away, but heads back to take care of the Bombers.
141	* SmartCopDumbCop: Clearly smarter and more experienced than his partner Cooley.
142	* TookALevelInKindness: Price is initially hostile towards Tom, but compliments him on the rescue, and tells him to go fight Raven after seeing that his own gambit didn't work.
143	[[/folder]]
144
145	[[folder:Officer Officer Cooley]]
146	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/RickRossovich
147
148	* SmartCopDumbCop: Between him and Price, Cooley's the dumb cop, saying things that make Price roll his eyes or pointing out the obvious.
149	[[/folder]]
150
151	[[folder:Clyde the Bartender]]
152	[[quoteright:329:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/streets_paxton.png]]
153	[[caption-width-right:329: "I got beat up trying to save your old girl. I could use a little help with those guys. You should have been there, Tom. It would have been like the old days when we were in school. We'd have kicked ass."]]
154
155	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/BillPaxton
156	* NonActionGuy: Clyde was the only audience member who attempts to stop the kidnapping and gets stomped. He comes off as a blowhard and appears to run away in fear prior to the sledgehammer fight. He's actually assembling TheCavalry.
157	* SpannerInTheWorks: Clyde got wiped by the Bombers when they came to kidnap Ellen. By getting Cody and [=McCoy=] to meet each other, he unknowingly launched the rescue efforts to save Ellen from Raven [[AttemptedRape trying to sexually assault her]]. He also was responsible for bringing in TheCavalry. Thus driving the Bombers out of Richmond.
158	[[/folder]]
159
160	[[folder:Pete the Mechanic]]
161	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/JohnDennisJohnston
162	[[/folder]]
163
164	[[folder:Ben Gunn]]
165	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/EdBegleyJr
166
167	* TheCameo: Creator/EdBegleyJr as Billy Gunn.
168
169	[[/folder]]
170
171	[[folder:Greer]]
172	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/LeeVing
173
174	* TheDragon: Greer, Raven's second-in-command. The one who punches out Billy Fish. Played by Lee Ving, the former lead singer of the punk band Fear.
175	* KnowWhenToFoldEm: Your leader is beaten and unconscious, about a hundred people whose neighborhood you raided and wrecked earlier are pointing guns at you and just gave you a DramaticGunCock...yeah, "Let's get outta here" is a good idea.
176	* NoOneGetsLeftBehind: Surprisingly, a villainous version. Once Raven is defeated, the Bombers pick him up and carry him away, not leaving him to be cleaned up by the police.
177	* OnlySaneMan: Despite usually being AxCrazy, Greer seems to be the only one who realizes just how badly the fight is going for Raven, and is the one to realize you have to KnowWhenToFoldEm.
178	* VillainousFriendship: See NoOneGetsLeftBehind. Greer seems genuinely loyal to his boss.
179	[[/folder]]
180
181	[[folder:Raven Shaddock]]
182	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/streetsoffire3.JPG]]
183	[[caption-width-right:350: "Well, it looks like I finally found someone who likes to play as rough as I do."]]
184
185	-> '''Portrayed by:''' Creator/WillemDafoe
186
187	* BadassBiker: Raven and the Bombers, obviously. The Roadmasters ''think'' they're this. They're not.
188	* BigBad: Raven Shaddock, the head of the Bombers who kidnaps Ellen for his own purposes at the start of the film.
189	* CombatPragmatist
190	* HellBentForLeather: Raven and the Bombers are covered in black leather. In the climax, Raven strips down to some very fetishy leather overalls.
191	* IHaveYouNowMyPretty: Raven tries to put the moves on Ellen, and this is essentially why he kidnapped her in the first place.
192	* ILied: Raven lies to the police about bringing only two guys to the showdown.
193	* KubrickStare: When Raven calls in his reinforcements in the finale, his smug smile fades into a menacing Kubrick stare.
194	* MeaningfulName: Raven's name is an apparent reference to his greased hair, which forms a black beak over his forehead.
195	* VillainousBreakdown: As the street fight turns against Raven, he loses his cool in a big way, going from trembling on the edge of tears to berserk rage to out on his feet.
196	* VillainousFriendship: For his part, Raven at least cares enough to hold back Greer from doing anything foolish when [=McCoy=] has them at gunpoint.
197

Context Characters / StreetsOfFire