An action cult classic and one of the most memorable Kurt Russell roles, Escape from New York is an influential movie for its genre and still holds up well over thirty years later.
The story goes that in the mystical year of 1997 we live in the crime-torn horrors of the future and have turned Manhattan into one huge prison island. You know, like we often do with our most valuable pieces of real estate. But now the President has crash landed into the prison and it's up to one man, one Snake Plissken (Russell), to pull him out of there before it's too late.
The film mainly shines because of its style and its main character. It was made in 1981, but already you can see all the staples of the 80s. Dark, urban settings, lots and lots of shooting, wild yelling, tribal gangsters, antiheroes and grey morality all around. Escape from New York has since then influenced whole generations of film makers, and for a good reason. It's a very tight package, even if the story is rather straightforward and the supporting cast is not the strongest.
Russell, however, is very strong in his role. His character has become one of the role models of antiheroes and once again for a good reason. He's tormented, mean and lean, stone cold, born badass yet in the end he's filling to see the job through, to do the right thing, no matter how reluctantly.
Escape from New York is a blast of fun and style. One of the must see 80s action films and a great introduction to Kurt Russell. Recommended.
The story goes that in the mystical year of 1997 we live in the crime-torn horrors of the future and have turned Manhattan into one huge prison island. You know, like we often do with our most valuable pieces of real estate. But now the President has crash landed into the prison and it's up to one man, one Snake Plissken (Russell), to pull him out of there before it's too late.
The film mainly shines because of its style and its main character. It was made in 1981, but already you can see all the staples of the 80s. Dark, urban settings, lots and lots of shooting, wild yelling, tribal gangsters, antiheroes and grey morality all around. Escape from New York has since then influenced whole generations of film makers, and for a good reason. It's a very tight package, even if the story is rather straightforward and the supporting cast is not the strongest.
Russell, however, is very strong in his role. His character has become one of the role models of antiheroes and once again for a good reason. He's tormented, mean and lean, stone cold, born badass yet in the end he's filling to see the job through, to do the right thing, no matter how reluctantly.
Escape from New York is a blast of fun and style. One of the must see 80s action films and a great introduction to Kurt Russell. Recommended.