Review of Escape from L.A. (1996) by Aaron N — 05 May 2008

President: You'll be given a full pardon for every moral crime you've committed in the United States.

Snake Plissken: Sounds familiar.

A fan of Carpenter/Russell collaborations has to be torn about this film. It has that initial factor, but it is also a rehash of the same movie they made years prior, only with a higher budget for effects and the change to Los Angeles.

Same basic plot here, Snake is back, he's been captured and is given a chance for freedom, provided he recovers a special government item. Snake is even tricked into being given something that will kill him if he isn't fast enough.

Before Russell went on to be Stuntman Mike in Death Proof, this was a film containing the same Grindhouse quality. It is an over-the-top campy ride that is not at all serious, especially compared to the first.

Further helping this film is its supporting cast, which includes: Steve Buscemi, Stacy Keach, Bruce Campbel, Pam Grier, Robert Carradine, and Peter Fonda as a surfer.

[facing four gunmen at once].

Snake Plissken: I'm gonna give you assholes a chance. What do you say we play a little Bangkok Rules?

[picks up a tin can. The four gunmen back up and get ready].

Snake Plissken: Nobody draws until this hits the ground.

[throws the can high into the air, then pulls his revolvers and kills all four gunmen before the can lands. Can hits the ground].

Snake Plissken: Draw.

Carpenter's style of film is once again present, but the fact that almost everything is the same doesn't really help. Its good to know that Russell had a lot of fun getting to play this character again, because he is what holds the movie together.

It works well enough, but only the original is necessary.

Duty Sergeant: What would you say to all of us who believed in you, who looked up to you, who thought you stood for right over wrong, good over evil? Be my guest. What do you have to say, Plissken?

Snake Plissken: Call me Snake.