ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK Review On "Violent Maniac's Cage"

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

(1981, USA)

DIRECTED BY: John Carpenter.

One of Carpenters best pictures right up there with Assault On Precinct 13 and Halloween. Escape is just an excellent film helped tremendously by lead character Kurt Russell's performance as one eyed warrior Snake Plissken. The special collectors version is the one to see as its LBX, has an interview with Carpenter and has some interesting tid bits and unseen footage as well as the films original trailer. This will not appeal to people who like newer action films as they will evidently shrug it off as slow moving or just plain crap. I don't know I just really enjoyed the film and everything about it.

Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes and Donald Pleasence as well as Russells wife at the time (Season hubley) also makes a very brief appearance. The sequal Escape From L.A. is a worthy film as well but as sequels always go the original is always the best. Even for 81 this films idea of the future(1997) and technology looks severely outdated. You can love it or hate it. Give it a try and have an open mind.

Films plot has Russell being captured after a botched robbery and sentenced to life on NY which has become a prison. He is cut a deal where he has to save the president and an important tape he is carrying. The president crash landed on the island. Plissken is given a certain amount of time and infected with a disease which will kill him unless he gets the job done. I really liked this film and finding out how Carpenter pulled it off even makes it all the more fun. The music theme by Carpenter is also quite superb.

Rating: 5 Skulls

Review by: Richard J. Taylor

Email: rtaylor@roadrunner.nf.net

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