Assault On Precinct 13 on DVD (2005)

Jim from Bromsgrove UK , 31/01/2005

Better than the original 1976 movie this 2004 remake has a very believable change of plot, which works very well.

Ethan Hawke & Lawrence Fishburn take the starring roles in this drama.

Gabriel Byrne plays the baddy (as usual) but is not really as convincing as he is in other films.

A film, which will pass a few hours while you watch it.

  35 out of 47 people found this review helpful

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benzb from Middlesex , 02/02/2005

Hawke stars as burnt-out cop Roenick, still feeling guilty for the murder of his partners. It looks like he’s going to spend life behind a desk at Precinct 13, until the station is scheduled to be closed following the final New Year’s Eve party.

However, when the precinct is forced to play host to a group of prisoners led by gangster Bishop (Fishburne), things get out of hand. Echoing L.A. Confidential, some of Bishop’s associates are Byrne’s corrupt cops who would rather kill than let him testify. So the action kicks off: Roenick and Bishop form an uneasy alliance against the police besieging the station.

Richet chooses to turn the SWAT image upside-down: rather than heroes who rescue hostages and take out terrorists, these invaders are Predator-like killing machines in night vision goggles and Kevlar.

Hawke does a mediocre job, but Fishburne shines as the ruthless Bishop, reminding us exactly why Morpheus was so cool. The dynamic between cons and cops is central to the plot, culminating in various Mexican stand-offs practically dripping with tension.

Despite its formulaic nature, Assault can creep up on you. The people you think are going to die, don’t die. Meanwhile, those who are too important to get killed, get killed. Simply put, it’s a film very aware of its genre. To some, Assault on Precinct 13 represents just another cop film or unnecessary remake, but others might be pleasantly surprised by unexpected changes to a stale, predictable formula.

  23 out of 31 people found this review helpful

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Melon from East Sussex , 03/02/2005

A great cast and strong basic idea (although diluted from the faceless gang attack of the classic original) are completely wasted in this by the numbers formula cop flick. The suspense and tension of the original are thrown away here, with a bland series of dull, poorly shot shootings that feel like they belong in a TV movie. I was really hoping this was going to be in a similar league to the 'Dawn of the Dead' remake (another re-run of a cult 70's classic that really worked), but it's not anything like that standard, and just feels bland and tacky. A real wasted opportunity instead.

  15 out of 24 people found this review helpful

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Craig133 from Worcestershire , 15/06/2006

I actually quite liked this film, but I’m not 100% sure why. Simple plot, not a fantastic cast and cheaply made however definitely one to watch if you love your action films.

I didn’t really expect too much from this film but I found myself on the edge of seat waiting for the next gun fight or explosion to happen.

Good guys and prisoners fighting on the same for survival in 'Precinct 13'. They are out numbered and fighting against the elements but with bad boy Bishop and good cop Jake working together there is hope they’ll survive till sunrise.

Definitely worth watching.

  9 out of 10 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Morden , 02/09/2008

I was looking forward to wtching this and I wasn't disappointed.

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bobo42 from Middlesbrough , 04/09/2008

thought it was good action packed suspence , good lead up did see the origional but different plot this time.

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