Escape from New York
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Movie Reviews of Escape from New York
Movie Review: I don't givef a f*ck about your war, or your president."
Summary: 4 Stars
Ah, even today, that line has true meaning!
Twenty five years ago, when ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK was being filmed, New York City had been a crime-ridden sleaze pit for the past 15 years, so it seemed totally conceivable to me that by the end of the century, the entire island could become nothing more than a maximum secutiry prison for hardened criminals.
John Carpenter had that vision, with a dark and chilling movie that stills rings true today in a post 9/11 city. Speaking of which, there is an early scene of Air Force One headed straight for a downtown building with the twin towers just to the left as a prison guard looks up with astonishment. It was chilling back in 1981. Now it's just plain frightening to watch.
As for the sequel, ESCAPE FROM L.A., I couldn't even get through the first half hour. I mean, how frightening can a world be that takes place on the beach under the sunshine???
Movie Review: In 1988 the world goes to hell and NYC is a one-way prison
Summary: 4 Stars
Look, for $12-$15 you get a perfectly adequate DVD transfer that looks very clear and boasts good DVD quality sound to boot, for it's age. I have no real complaints, considering the price, about the DVD itself. For the average DVD owner/watcher Carpenter's "Escape From New York" is a classic dark, sci-fi action adventure story starring Kurt Russell before he went soft, co-starring in bad Goldie Hawn movies.
Besides some of the cheesiness which is obvious, ("Snake" is Russell's character name) the story is very compelling and the suspense is believeable and effective.
The dark, corrupt, sinister overtone of the film is delivered brilliantly for it's time, and on a grand scale involving Manhattan Island and a post-apocalyptic New York City.
For half the price of most DVD's, this one is worth buying and watching more than once.
Movie Review: The Future Is...Eight Years Ago
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of the better efforts from director John Carpenter. There is a dynamite premise here and he sets it up well. The sets showing the decay setting in on Manhattan is excellent. Kurt Russell contributes a memorable anti-hero in Snake Plissken, former special-forces commando gone bad. Lee Van Cleef as the hard boiled warden Hauck has not skipped a beat from when he was making spaghetti westerns with Sergio Leone. Ernest Borgnine offers good comic relief as Cabbie. Carpenter even composed a decent score for the film. If I am to find fault with the film is that it is just a little too much style over substance for me to give it an unqualified rave. As the film's nominal heavy, Isaac Hayes may have the look but not the acting heft to pull it off. In conclusion, "Escape from New York" entertained me but didn't overwhelm me.Movie Review: A bit dated, but a decent film.
Summary: 4 Stars
Here's the film that made Kurt Russell an action star. He forever shed his "Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" Disney image in favor of the raspy voiced Snake Plisken. John Carpenter directed this, which in hind sight stands well on it's own. The sequel, "Escape from L.A.," is basically a retread which serves no real purpose.While the original is dated, the story is set in the bleak future of 1997, the digital transfer for the DVD is top notch. Not a lot of extras here, but the trailer is so poorly edited that it's good for a laugh. The performances are of questionable quality, Carpenter seems to have told his actors to act like wood, but the overall effect is one of the better B-movies of the early '80s.
Movie Review: SINGLE DISC SP.ED. IS THE SAME TRANSFER! COOL FILM!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought the single disc special edition and found that it has the same transfer as the new 2 disc special edtion. I found this out through another reviewer on this movie. The older 1 disc version stated surround sound on the back of the package the newer one states 5.1. along with some other add ons such a French mono dubbed track amd the reviewer quote "Dark and dangerous" has been replaced with "Riviting". If you want a nice print of the movie you can buy the single disc for around $5.00 or pay $25.00 for some extras and commentary. This movie is an early example of Carpenter's music and style. The Thing was released after this movie and is a superior film.