A hilariously unstable film and the latest apocalyptic vision to work on our nerves like a torturer extracting a confession -- or a dentist extracting a tooth.
Escape From L.A. (1996)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:43
Fresh:25
Rotten:18
Average Rating:5.6/10
Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $0
Synopsis: When John Carpenter and Kurt Russell teamed up for this sequel to ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, the idea was to kick butt and have fun. They do just that in ESCAPE FROM L.A., an explosive film that... When John Carpenter and Kurt Russell teamed up for this sequel to ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, the idea was to kick butt and have fun. They do just that in ESCAPE FROM L.A., an explosive film that recalls the classic original in all the best ways. Infamous adventurer Snake Plissken gets another raw deal when he is forced to rescue the President's daughter from the new prison island of Los Angeles. Mayhem ensues as Snake goes about his mission, leaving a wake of destruction behind him. Lighter and more tongue in cheek than the original, ESCAPE FROM L.A. provides loud, violent fun for both the fans of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK as well as newcomers to the films. There are great cameos provided by Peter Fonda, Bruce Campbell, Pam Grier and many more that give the film an extra layer of entertainment. Great special effects are a given in Carpenter films, and this one is no exception. ESCAPE FROM L.A. is fun fare from a master filmmaker. [More]
Starring: Kurt Russell, Stacy Keach, Steve Buscemi, Peter Fonda
Starring: Kurt Russell, Stacy Keach, Steve Buscemi, Peter Fonda, George Corraface, A.J. Langer, Cliff Robertson, Pam Grier, Valeria Golino, Peter Jason, Michelle Forbes, Paul Bartel, Bruce Campbell, Robert Carradine
Director: John Carpenter
Director: John Carpenter
Reviews for Escape From L.A.
Here and there a moments of wit shines through ... but for the most part the formulaic, auto-pilot nature of the enteprise leaves one wishing Carpenter and Russell had said 'never again' after Escape from New York.
Intermittently clever ideas are rarely executed to full effect, but the film moves reasonably well on its way to surround-sound pyrotechnics amid a climactic aerial attack.
Diverting for the 100 minutes it runs, but once they're up, it is instantly forgettable.
This is the kind of movie Independence Day could have been if it hadn't played it safe.
That noise you hear isn't an explosion; it's the sound of a great science fiction opportunity, being blown sky-high.
Escape from L.A. is too preposterous to be a good film. But in keeping with its title, it does provide a couple of hours of entertaining escapism.
As amusing as some of its notions may be, none are developed into sustained running jokes.
Like Texasville, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, King Kong Lives and The Evening Star, Escape From L.A. stands tall as a shining beacon of Bad Moviedom.
I don’t think most people gave ESCAPE FROM L.A. enough credit when it first came out ... Every bit as cheesy as I remember – but also a lot more fun!
Not exactly the movie that would rescue John Carpenter's sagging career, but it makes for an entertaining Saturday matinee show nonetheless.
Latest News for Escape From L.A.
March 23, 2007:
Kurt Russell Chimes in On the "Escape from New York" Remake
You know how Gerard Butler was just asked to star in a remake of "Escape from New York"? Well, the original Snake Plissken (that'd be Kurt Russell, of course) is none... More...
August 07, 2006:
Snake Plissken to "Escape from Earth"?
John Carpenter's "Escape from New York" is a true-blue cult classic among (male) movie fans of a certain age (old, like me), but the goofy follow-up, "Escape from... More...
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