I used to be born in 1988, however till the discharge of Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis in 2002, I by no means understood folks’s fascination with the period I used to be born in. Whereas I used to be born later within the decade, I did spend elements of my childhood watching 80s blockbusters like Batman and Again To The Future, however it was not till highschool that I discovered something about that period exterior of neon and massive hair. To be sincere I used to be extra targeted on being a baby of the 90s and simply as unaware of why the 80s have been and are so influential within the lives of many.
When you’re a child, you simply don’t take into consideration tendencies and different issues previous to your delivery or time as a child. That every one modified when my stepbrother introduced dwelling Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis. It could be a crass spoof of the last decade it takes place in – extra in regards to the vibe of the 80s than the occasions that outlined it.
However all through my many playthroughs of the sport, I discovered myself understanding increasingly more – from the automobiles to the garments, to the hair, to the music, my eyes started to open. Whereas I can’t be rocking shoulder pads and slicked-back hair anytime quickly, Vice Metropolis mentioned to me “Take a look at how brilliant and enjoyable this decade was.” Driving across the metropolis blaring “I Ran” by A Flock of Seagulls was pure bliss.
I used to be so enthralled by the sport, that every time the industrial would come on and “I Ran” performed as Tommy Vercetti unloaded his shotgun, I’d crank the amount as much as 11 (earlier than turning it again down following parental complaints). Again within the recreation, I keep in mind cruising alongside the Vice Metropolis beachfronts at night time, with “Bark on the Moon” by Ozzy Osbourne taking part in within the background. Not solely did the music match the second completely – it was the primary time I realised that Ozzy sang that music I heard so many occasions rising up.
The sport was stuffed with musical Eureka moments. Till then, I didn’t join lots of the songs I heard rising as much as the 80s, I simply favored them. I perceive why folks love the 80s: they adore it due to the music, and since it represented a extra easy but fascinating time in our world. It was a time when the envelope was pushed by way of music, which was then mirrored in folks expressing themselves extra by dressing within the audacious prints and patterns the period gave them.
This was not in an period of bellbottoms, 8-track tapes, and feeling like our life was pre-planned by our dad and mom. It was an period the place you possibly can put on ridiculous issues, minimize your hair in ridiculous methods, and it was accepted as a result of it actually allowed us to indicate folks how we actually seen ourselves.
If you happen to needed to rock a perm and a few tight cheetah pants, go for it; for those who needed to be business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back with a mullet, extra energy to you! The 12 months Grand Theft Auto Vice Metropolis takes place (1986) was the 12 months Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith blew up every part folks thought doable with music by releasing Stroll This Means – a wonderful rap-rock crossover that captured the experimental essence of the period. Miami within the 80s was an enormous celebration, it was an outrageous time. From the golf equipment to the general ambiance it was a time and place I’m upset about lacking out on.
Clearly, as I obtained older I discovered in regards to the critical issues that got here out and occurred throughout that point interval. The celebration spirit of the time introduced with it the AIDs epidemic, and 80s Miami, which Vice Metropolis relies on, was below pressure from an enormous Cuban immigration wave from the Mariel Boatlift, and the following formation of Cuban gangs which warred with Haitian gangs. Vice Metropolis captured a few of that criminality too, although after all in a method that didn’t detract an excessive amount of from its nostalgic, cartoony spirit.
The 80s have been a interval of throwing out every part you recognize about society and embracing the long run, and because of Vice Metropolis, I perceive a bit extra about why folks look again on it so fondly.
