![]() ![]() Plissken’s nihilistic attitude is just as endearing, but his character arc builds upon the iconic ending of the first film where he destroyed the message to the President after witnessing his disregard for those who sacrificed themselves saving him. Cliff Robertson’s President is a chilling antagonist of the Reagan era who forcefully punishes those who don’t meet the standards of his “Moral America.” The sequel is more heavily critical of religious fanaticism, and the notion of a theocratic state makes for a different type of threat. Carpenter wrote the first film in reaction to the Watergate scandal and personified anxieties of a fractured federal government, resulting in a gritty sense of paranoia. This is the only sequel to a Carpenter film helmed by the man himself, and it’s clear why he wanted to revisit the post-apocalyptic setting given the shifting political climate in the fifteen years since Escape From New York. is far from a hastily thrown together cash grab. ![]() Understandably, there’s hesitation towards a follow-up to such an influential original, but Escape From L.A. Snake Plissken’s second adventure earned only half of its production budget back, and lukewarm reviews cited the film’s significant quality dip from its predecessor. Russell’s gravelly voice and sparse but on point dialogue just cements the fact that this a man who will not suffer fools gladly and at his core is honorable and will do the right thing even if costs him his life.RELATED: 'Escape from New York': On Snake Plissken, Action's Most Unique Icon Even the cigarette that Plissken lights up at the end of the movie is reminiscent of the cigarillos that Eastwood was known for in his Sergio Leone films. The hombre that is a loner but yet by nature a leader. In addition to the obvious science-fiction and horror elements, there are so many homages to Clint Eastwood and his character of the “Man with No Name” that I sincerely wondered if Kurt might have consciously made that decision since he helped write the script.Īt the heart of it, Snake Plissken is a retired gunslinger. John Carpenter knows how to do this adroitly. The idea of mixing several genres is audacious and if not executed properly it can be disastrous. Concept Concept – Kurt Russell – Courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment ![]() When you can get the man known for singing Shaft for a hot minute, that is a coup.Ģ. I did recognize him as the basketball court guard. However, he is listed in IMDb as uncredited and unconfirmed. One thing Campbell knows how to do is OWN his characters. He makes the most of his limited screen time which is evidenced by the fact that 22 years later, audiences still recall his appearance. Bruce Campbell, damn near unrecognizable as the Surgeon General of Beverly Hills is frightening. Of course, I am going to mention this one. Challenging Plissken is never a wise move. Hard to believe that the mild-mannered geek was able to play super obnoxious but he did. Then we have Robert Carradine ( Revenge of the Nerds) as Skinhead. Let’s just say, he is perfect for the part. His exchanges with Snake (Russell) are hysterical. ![]() Peter Fonda as the aging surfer dude, Pipeline who probably fried his brain on an LSD trip while “shooting the curl” is amusing. Another great point about the casting is the cameos. Kurt Russell, Steve Buscemi and Pam Grier are all familiar names from his world. Let’s face it, this film at first glance when you see the credits could actually be mistaken for a Quentin Tarantino venture. Cameos Cameos – Bruce Campbell – Courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment The cast is a who’s who of film, the special FX for the time period aren’t that bad and well, it has Kurt Russell for crying out loud! Here are five reasons why I dig this flick. When watching B movies, I have a tendency to do that. Yes, I will admit there are certain scenes that don’t make much sense but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Segue to the present and I re-visited Escape from L.A. I wasn’t disappointed although it seemed like everyone else in the world was with the effort. Psyched and ready, I settled in and took the ride. In 1996, I saw John Carpenter’s sequel to his fabulous Escape from New York in Woodland Hills, California. “Welcome to the human race.” – Snake Plissken Land of the Free is a fun B movie romp and I’m not afraid to admit it. Kurt Russell – Escape from LA – Courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment I am going to share something that I know quite a few people will disagree with but I’m ready for the consequences. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |