Review of Escape from New York (1981) by Senor C — 01 May 2010
John Carpenter's taut slab of low-budget sci-fi has Airforce One crash-landing in New York - now one big jail - and the president (Donald Pleasence) held hostage by criminals. Enter Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a convicted crim given 22 hours to save the prez.
There's a great supporting cast, cool touches, strong action and a catchy theme, but it's Russell's Plissken that really leaps off the screen, exuding more cool than any ten normal anti-heroes.
Snake is a very, very angry man - an embittered war hero who turned to crime to steal what he felt he was owed - but still has time for a raft of one liners and a fine line in controlled violence. Boasting one of the most iconic characters ever in Plissken, and an effective sci-fi set-up, this is entertainment of the highest order.
This review of Escape from New York (1981) was written by Senor C on 01 May 2010.
Escape from New York has generally received positive reviews.
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