Today’s quick review: Escape from New York. In the gritty future of 1997, skyrocketing crime rates have led to New York City being sealed off as one enormous prison. When the President (Donald Pleasence) crash-lands in New York, notorious outlaw Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) agrees to rescue him in exchange for a full pardon. Snake has less than 24 hours to locate the President and get him to safety before the offer and Snake’s life expire.
Escape from New York is a sci-fi action movie from director John Carpenter. The film pits a tough-as-nails convict against a lawless city full of America’s worst criminals. Escape from New York features a strong cast, a powerful sense of atmosphere, and all-around solid execution. However, its slow pacing and low amount of actual action may limit its appeal for modern audiences. The result is a well-crafted film that depends heavily on taste.
How much you get out of Escape form New York will depend on how much you like its world. John Carpenter’s vision of New York is a trashy, dangerous wasteland populated by all kinds of peculiar characters. Snake Plissken, a laconic antihero and born survivor, fits right in. He’s joined by a cast of familiar faces, including Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, and Isaac Hayes. The setting and characters are Escape from New York’s best assets.
The downside is that the movie is not as packed with action as one might think. Snake proves his mettle at key moments, but he spends more of the movie traversing New York and hunting down leads than engaging in any action. Escape from New York also takes its time getting set up. The slow pacing helps sell the characters and the setting, but it comes at the cost of immediate excitement. There’s action, but it comes second to the story.
Try Escape from New York if you’re a fan of classic-style action movies. For pure specatcle, it’s a dated pick, but its interesting world and solid craftsmanship make it a good choice for the right viewer. For a modern, sci-fi take on a similar premise, check out Lockout. For a superhero movie with a similar plot, check out Suicide Squad. For a campy fantasy action movie with the same director and lead actor, check out Big Trouble in Little China.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for its atmosphere and its characters, hurt somewhat by its slow pacing; your score will vary.