Review of Escape from New York (1981) by Grant S — 21 Oct 2014

"MANHATTAN, A FUTURE PRISON".

- 'Escape From New York' is a 1981 sci-fi action film co-written and directed by John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing). I like this story, that is set in a not-so distant dark future in New York. We get introduced to the character of Snake Plissken, portrayed by Kurt Russell (the thing, Tango & Cash). A must-see for all sci-fi fans. Starring next to Russell are Lee van Cleef (the Good, the Bad and the Ugly), Ernest Borgnine (the Poseidon Adventure), Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Isaac Hayes (Shaft), Adrienne Barbeau (the Fog), Harry Dean Stanton (Alien), Tom Atkins (Two Evil Eyes) and Charles Cyphers (Assault on Precinct 13). The sequel 'Escape From L.A.' followed in 1996.

New York, 1997 - As crime ratings where so high, the United States of America have closed down Manhattan by putting a enormous wall around the island. Seen as a sort of prison, all criminals who are send there, can never return. When the hijacked Air Force One crashed into Manhattan, the president (Pleasence) falls into the hands of the dangerous 'Duke of New York' (Hayes), who bargains to get his fellow inmates released from the Island. Police Commissioner Bob Hauk (van Cleef) sees no other option to recruit the rebellious Snake Plissken (Russell) to enter Manhattan and free the president. Plissken has 24 hours to do so, or he will die from an injected portion of explosives. Will he succeed with the help from taxi driver Cabbie (Borgnine), mobster 'Brain' (Stanton) and his girlfriend Maggie (Barbeau)?