Tags
1980's, Action, Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasence, Ernest Borgnine, Escape from New York, Harry Dean Stanton, Isaac Hayes, John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Science Fiction
The ever wonderful Gill invited me to take part in a blogathon to honour Kurt Russell and I simply couldn’t refuse.
Director
John Carpenter
Starring
- Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken
- Lee Van Cleef as Bob Hauk
- Ernest Borgnine as Cabbie
- Adrienne Barbeau as Maggie
- Harry Dean Stanton as Brain
- Isaac Hayes as The Duke
- Donald Pleasence as the President
John Carpenter’s science-fiction action film Escape from New York is rightfully held in high regard for its vision and plot. And with atmosphere, imagination and a bad ass lead character to boot, it’s hard to disagree.
The year is a then futuristic 1997. Manhattan Island has been turned into a maximum security prison where once you go in, you never come out. In the main area that was once the central hub, anarchy reigns supreme with violence and destruction. When the President’s plane is hijacked and he crash lands in Manhattan, he is taken hostage by the local crime boss The Duke and his goons. He was supposed to be attending a peace summit with the Soviet Union, but that goes completely out the window with the events that unfurl. Sneaky and manipulative Commissioner Bob Hauk then strong arms the most unlikely person ever to rescue the President from an almost certain death. That person is Snake Plissken, a cynical ex soldier, serving time for theft. Snake is understandably not at all on board with this plan. But after being told that if he rescues the President within 24 hours he could be pardoned, he accepts reluctantly. Though Hauk makes sure he will do it as he has micro explosives implanted in Snake’s neck that will detonate if he doesn’t complete the mission. Hauk knows that Snake would use the opportunity to escape but has him by a tight leash now. With time ticking away, Snake enters the city where he encounters violence from various factions and some assistance by a rag tag group of renegades. They consist of a joking cab driver, hard edged lady and know all.
John Carpenter keeps events imaginative and engaging, with his ingenuity on clear display. I’ve always admired what he brings to a movie and he has the story be one that is very taut and entertaining. Some will say that the film has dated parts, which it does in areas, but the anachronistic touches really add to the oddball personality of the film that it isn’t easy to see why it’s a cult movie. Carpenter plays up the outlandish aspects of the story and the desecration of humanity, mainly in the case of Snake and his no cares attitude towards everything. On the visual front, the practical effects have aged well, with the shots of New York through a futuristic lens being particularly inspired. We get a grimy dystopia to witness and one that has certainly influenced many a film since. Escape from New York is often billed in some quarters as an action movie(which in many cases it is), but for me it’s more about the moody atmosphere than anything else. The cyberpunk echoes and vision of a world in free fall really make sure that Escape from New York is a film to remember. John Carpenter himself provides the pulsing electronic score that compliments the futuristic setting and has just the right notes of darkness there too.
Kurt Russell completely owns the screen as the growling, scowling yet sardonically witty bad ass that is Snake. Russell provides the cynicism and swagger of a man who doesn’t believe in anything and is proud of it. He is ironically the last person you’d think of to rescue a president and that is what ultimately drives the plot. Seriously, Snake ranks as one of the most charismatic and bad ass anti heroes there is. Lee Van Cleef is on nasty form as the scheming and controlling Comissioner who uses Snake to his own advantage. Ernest Borgnine, Adrienne Barbeau and Harry Dean Stanton flesh out the crew that Snake falls in with excellently.With some serious style, Isaac Hayes rocks it portraying the crime boss who stands in the way of Snake succeeding. And there’s Donald Pleasence appearing as the President, who it is revealed is not as squeaky clean as he seemed.
Exciting, inventive and engrossing, Escape from New York is John Carpenter at his imaginative and full blooded best, aided by a fine performance from Kurt Russell as one of cinema’s best anti-heroes.
sonofabeach96 said:
Great movie! I’m all-in on anything that had Isaac Hayes in it. 😃
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vinnieh said:
It’s one amazing movie. John Carpenter is masterful.
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
What a great movie!! I love anything with Harry Dean Stanton in it!! (wierdly enough!) 💖💖
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vinnieh said:
Stanton was such a reliable presence. He is very much missed.
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Laura Beth said:
Excellent choice. I love Escape from New York, and Escape from LA isn’t a bad one, either.
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vinnieh said:
They are both good but I prefer this one.
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Paul S said:
I love this film, Kurt Russell is the epitome of cool and what a supporting cast chock full of great actors.
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vinnieh said:
He’s the ultimate bad ass with the attitude to match. And you gotta love how colourful that cast is.
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beetleypete said:
Loved this at the time. Carpenter on form, and a great character part from Borgnine as the cabby.
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Carpenter is a director to admire, he’s got a very spirited approach to film making.
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Christopher Cooper said:
Forgot about what a great cast this has…all amazing actors. The film, of course, belongs to Kurt. And John. Arpenter is a genius…The Live is one of my all time faves, but also love The Thing, The Fog and even the Escape from LA sequel which is not as good as this one but still pretty darned entertaining.
Great post!
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vinnieh said:
Kurt owns it all the way. He’s perfect casting as Snake. No one else could have played it so good.
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Realweegiemidget Reviews said:
I do love your review on this and as usual more than worth the wee wait for it! Love you did the same film as me, so feel kinda nearly up to date if you’d thrown down the gauntlet for my take like you did a few blogathons ago. Anyway so glad you joined in the blogathon, was fab to have you on board as always!!
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vinnieh said:
I was more than happy to take part in this blogathon.
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Eric Binford said:
You look young, so you probably don’t know this, but Ox Baker (he plays Slag, the big guy in the ring) was an incredibly popular WWF wrestler. My school friends and I were more interested in Baker than Kurt Russell. 😉
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the info. That guy was a tank, definitely wouldn’t have wanted to mess with him.
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fragglerocking said:
Best.Russell.Movie.Ever!
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vinnieh said:
It’s hard to argue there, definitely one of the best.
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ninvoid99 said:
One of the best films I had ever seen. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell. Now that is a great director/actor collaboration.
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vinnieh said:
They are an inspired team it must be said.
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keepsmealive said:
Man it’s been ages since I saw this. Time for a re-watch thanks!
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vinnieh said:
Oh most definitely.
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alexraphael said:
I need to see this!
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vinnieh said:
It’s well worth it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
LOVE this movie! Fantastic story, cast…just everything about it!😊
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vinnieh said:
It’s John Carpenter doing what he does best. And Kurt Russell is so cool in this.
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aashnasmindspace said:
Thanks for following me
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vinnieh said:
Anytime.
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Alex Withrow (@shiftingPersona) said:
Great review here! I recently rewatched this one and I agree that the effects held up pretty well, and remained inspired. I just love watch Russell chew the hell out of a John Carpenter scene.
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vinnieh said:
Russell truly makes this movie. He owns it so much.
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nuwansenfilmsen said:
WoW! You really like this movie.
Interesting write-up!!
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vinnieh said:
I was a very big fan of what this movie did. Gotta love some John Carpenter.
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Lexia said:
This film is my father’s favourite. When I was a child, we would often watch it together. It is only as I grew up that I understood why everyone loved this movie. Kurt Russell did a really good job and John Carpenter is such a fine director.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a really fine movie. Took me some time to watch it but I’m glad I did.
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Lexia said:
I agree! 🙂
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