Escape From New York Reviews

1981

Rated:
70
from 7684 members

Another John Carpenter cult classic, 'Escape From New York' was one of the best entries in the once popular post-apocalyptic genre which included 'Road Warrior' and 'The Terminator'. In 1997, the island of Manhattan has been turned into the world's largest maximum-security prison, a place where the worst of humanity is sent to .. Read more

Starring	Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, Donald Pleasence, Kurt Russell
Director	John Carpenter
Genres	Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller

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Critics' reviews (6) of Escape From New York
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Sullen Kurt Russell impersonates Clint Eastwood in this tough futuristic western from director John Carpenter that never surpasses or fulfils the ingenuity of its premise — Manhattan island as a maximum security prison where the president's plane has crashed. Closely resembling Assault on Precinct 13 in tone and plot dynamics, it's certainly Carpenter's slickest looking film, with the presence of Lee Van Cleef reinforcing its Sergio Leone associations. But, despite a marvellous night-time opening sequence, this slice of escapism often disappoints, though it still rates higher than the poor 1996 sequel Escape from LA.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Inventive but too complex melodrama with unattractive detail; its director's biggest production but not his most rewarding.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Sporting a black eye-patch and a mutinous sneer, anti-hero Snake Plissken (Russell) prepares to invade the Manhattan of... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Escape From New York
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26 out of 34 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

Total 80's

80's film totally, down to the music and look of the film. pretty kick ass and the insperation for the metal gear solid games
- - sakuraba1982 from Dover
  - Posted 14 Aug 2007 12:53
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful

ask from newyork

Did not like this film will not see it again.
- - simon potts from morcambce
  - Posted 04 Feb 2007 07:33
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful

Awesome!

I had not seen this movie for about 10 years but as soon as the intro music and titles began it took me right back to remembering what an awesome movie this is! If you have yet to see this, then rent it now!! its a must see.
- - Stuart Younger from Bloxwich, England
  - Posted 22 Feb 2006 12:31
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Escape From New York
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12 out of 13 people found this review helpful

ask from newyork

Did not like this film will not see it again.
- - simon potts from morcambce
  - Posted 04 Feb 2007 07:33
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

What a waste

.,,of such a classic set-up. The best thing about it is Adrienne Barbeau's cleavage. Reminiscent in theme of Running Man and No Escape, but never capitalises on the scope that the story provides, due to pretty rubbish acting and writing.
- - Al from Nottingham
  - Posted 10 Oct 2006 17:50

26 out of 34 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

Total 80's

80's film totally, down to the music and look of the film. pretty kick ass and the insperation for the metal gear solid games
- - sakuraba1982 from Dover
  - Posted 14 Aug 2007 12:53
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful

ask from newyork

Did not like this film will not see it again.
- - simon potts from morcambce
  - Posted 04 Feb 2007 07:33
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful

Awesome!

I had not seen this movie for about 10 years but as soon as the intro music and titles began it took me right back to remembering what an awesome movie this is! If you have yet to see this, then rent it now!! its a must see.
- - Stuart Younger from Bloxwich, England
  - Posted 22 Feb 2006 12:31
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful

the name's Snake...

A cult classic, important enough to be an influence on the Metal Gear Solid brand of video games. This movie sees Kurt taken out of frying pan and into the fire. He's given a task, to rescue the president, and very much a time limit... Rent it, watch it more than once, it's gritty, its not hollywood like we know today and that can only be a good thing. Why don't they make films like this any more?
- - lowestformofwit from KIRKCALDY
  - Posted 31 Jan 2005 10:01
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

What a waste

.,,of such a classic set-up. The best thing about it is Adrienne Barbeau's cleavage. Reminiscent in theme of Running Man and No Escape, but never capitalises on the scope that the story provides, due to pretty rubbish acting and writing.
- - Al from Nottingham
  - Posted 10 Oct 2006 17:50
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Escape fro New York

I hated this film, didn't understand what was going on
- - A customer from Pontefract
  - Posted 09 Nov 2008 20:25
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful

and by the way

the music is rubbish
- - Al from Nottingham
  - Posted 24 Oct 2006 11:24
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Average

I had heard this was an entertaing and ahead of it's time film. Alas, when watching it, I just found it rather dull. In the extra's, everyone bangs on about what an iconic character Snake Plissden is. I found him tedious.

Good to see Lee Van Cleef again though.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 18 Sep 2008 11:30
released but not available?

this title is now available in the shops (as at 22 Oct) but not yet here at SS? Can somebody please get hold of some copies cos I wanna watch it!
- - A customer from Lincs UK
  - Posted 22 Oct 2005 22:49
Kurt Plays Clint Eastwood

A Classic film, I love Kurt Russells take on Clint Eastwood from Cigar to gruff voice.

There is definetely a gritty edge, but oviously not to gritty as it is hollywood.

I had been waiting for this for years after getting rid of my Video collection.

I also get a kick out of the Dating on the movie 1997 and in the future I like the tomorrows world style of mistaken fortune telling.

A must for anyone who likes a good B movie. This is a Hollywood spin that is a modern classic of how B movies are still made. John Carpenter not only wrote and Directed this classic but as usual penned the music.

Snake is a character they should have made an action doll out of.
- - A customer from plymouth
  - Posted 13 Jan 2006 18:21

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Critics' reviews (6)
Sullen Kurt Russell impersonates Clint Eastwood in this tough futuristic western from director John Carpenter that never surpasses or fulfils the ingenuity of its premise — Manhattan island as a maximum security prison where the president's plane has crashed. Closely resembling Assault on Precinct 13 in tone and plot dynamics, it's certainly Carpenter's slickest looking film, with the presence of Lee Van Cleef reinforcing its Sergio Leone associations. But, despite a marvellous night-time opening sequence, this slice of escapism often disappoints, though it still rates higher than the poor 1996 sequel Escape from LA.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Inventive but too complex melodrama with unattractive detail; its director's biggest production but not his most rewarding.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Sporting a black eye-patch and a mutinous sneer, anti-hero Snake Plissken (Russell) prepares to invade the Manhattan of... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
"...Brutal, very fine-looking....Carpenter's most ambitous, most riveting film to date..."
- New York Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...A solidly satisfying actioner....[A] proper urgent mood..."
- Variety
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
"...Looks better and better as time passes..." - Recommended
- Premiere
- Posted 29 Jan 2006

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  Another John Carpenter cult classic, 'Escape From New York' was one of the best entries in the once popular post-apocalyptic genre which included 'Road Warrior' and 'The Terminator'. In 1997, the island of Manhattan has been turned into the world's largest maximum-security prison, a place where the ...