|
Related Links
Where to Now?
|
What's the Story, Mornin' Glory?
Escape From New York
(1981)
In 1988 the crime rate went up 400%. In retaliation the government makes Manhattan island one large maximum security prison. There are no guard except on the perimeter of the island. The only rule is that once you're put on the island you can never leave. You do have the option of being killed when you enter the holding area before entering the island.
One day, in 1997 a rebel group hijacks the president's airplane and crashes it into Manhattan Island. The president escapes in a pod, but he's captured after he lands and is being held hostage by the inhabitant of the island. If the military makes any move to rescue the president they'll kill him. The head of the security employs the help of an ex-war hero named Snake (Kurt Russel) who just so happened to be entering the system at that very moment. Snake doesn't care either way, but he decides to help them out. To insure that he'll return with the president they trick him into letting them inject pinhead sized bombs into his arteries. He has 24 hours to save the president or they'll explode killing him instantly. By the time he gets to the island he has only 20 hours to get the president. Will he be able to save him or will the gangs that run New York kill him first?
You Learn Something New Everyday...
 Ex-Military war heros like to wear camo spandex.
Airplanes have space pods.
Crazies live in the subway.
Zing!
Bob Hauk: You going to kill me, Snake?
Snake Plissken: Not now, I'm too tired... Maybe later.
Survey SAYS...
I was really disappointed with Escape From New York. It had so much potential for being totally awesome. A guy named Snake sent in to save the president? The entire population of New York versus a guy with an eye patch and a bad attitude? How can you possibly go wrong? How?? Well, you can make it totally lame. That's how.
You know, nothing opens a movie like a synthesizer. I felt like I was playing Kings Quest 4 during the opening credits. There's really nothing hard-core about synthesizers...or ex-war heros who wear grey camo spandex. So, yeah Snake is supposed to be the best of the best, but don't they find it sort of unrealistic sending in one guy into the city populated by murderers and rapists and the worst of the worst? Don't you think that he'll stand out with a huge gun slung over his shoulder? I mean, that's not the most unrealistic part of the movie, but it totally doesn't make sense. Neither does having something majorly top secret on one cassette tape. Wouldn't they want a back up tape sitting with the vice president, just in case something like this happens? I guess when they were looking into the future they didn't notice we'd have CDs, computers, and hard discs in 1997. Also, how exactly did one woman hijack an airplane? She wasn't even dressed like a stewardess or anything. And Isaac Hayes as the king of New York? How did THAT happen? Did he go Shaft on their ass? I did enjoy his vehicle though. Also, why is it called Escape from New York? It's should've been called Save the President or Manhattan Island Prison: Get in, Get Out. Not as catchy, but they make more sense.
Anyway, the premise for Escape From New York seemed totally awesome, but in all it was really lame. Most of the movie is boring and slow moving. The fact that the character doesn't really care about anything kind of brings the mood of the movie down. Like, he could've cared just a tiny bit or, they could've at least explain why an ex-war hero doesn't care about the president so much. Don't they think sending him to an island with murders and rapists seem a little extreme for someone who robs a bank? Everything about this movie was too ridiculous and not in a campy over the top way. Y'know what IS awesome though? When your credit in a movie is “Girl in Chock Full of Nuts.” So, if you like synthesizers, New York island a prison, Isaac Hayes, eye twitching, movie long running jokes, cars decorated with disco balls and chandeliers, and nuts being chock full, then this is the flick for you. As for us we give Escape From New York:
That Wasn't so Bad Was It?
I was left Feeling: Bored
|
