Escape From New York
From the confident, original, opening chords of its legendary theme music, to the nihilistic yet strangely uplifting ending, John Carpenter came up with his Ultimate Grand Masterpiece in 1981 that still stands today as a high water mark in cult / action filmmaking. With the premise straight out of a pulp comic book (Presidentâs plane goes down in no manâs land prior to a crucial summit, outlaw mercenary sent in to rescue), the film remains gripping, well-paced, and has a coolness factor that almost no film before or since has EVER achieved. The big reason for that is Kurt Russellâs performance as S.E. âSnakeâ Plissken, American Outlaw. Having been best known for a series of roles in (very bad) Disney family films, Russell became a superstar for all time here, bringing a hint of Eastwoodâs persona to the part but still making the character completely his own. Backing him up is a exemplary supporting cast of legendary cult and character actors including Lee Van Cleef as the chief of the âUnited States Police Forceâ, Ernest Borgnine as the pathetic yet lovable Cabbie, Donald Pleasence as the imperiled yet sniveling Commander In Chief, Isaac âChefâ Hayes as the imposing Duke Of New York, Harry Dean Stanton as the old running buddy who helps Snake out, Adrienne Barbeau as his squeeze who stands by her man, Season Hubley (Russellâs then-wife) as a street person whom Snake encounters, and even Tom Atkins as the security boss of Manhattan Island. The theme that the U.S. is now a quasi-fascist society in which New York City is now basically a dumping ground for the undesirables of the country, and actually having Air Force One be hijacked by a terrorist who crashes it into the World Trade Center (hmm..) shows that Carpenter was truly prophetic and ahead of his time when it came to this story. And then there is that ending, in which Snakeâs actions can be seen as either a show of respect to his fallen comrades or as a sign he really doesnât give a shit if the entire world goes to hell. Followed by a sequel that doesnât match up and possibly a remake that will never work, this is a film that stands the test of time as it relates to the genius of Carpenter and the eternal screen legend of Kurt Russell. If you havenât seen it yet, order it online nowâŚ
10/10