This is the movie where a landmine, when exploded, cuts a cab in half, with the accuracy of a neurosurgeon, so the front and back seats are intact and the two halves of the car are drivable.
It is an era where CGIs are maybe not even a concept. Having that as a baseline, some of the scenes are very acceptable. A lot of scene transitions are original and dark enough, representing the style of the movie and enhancing that weird but welcome laid-back style that the movie offers.
The general story is about our badass-convict-soldier protagonist trying to rescue the president in a specific time-window from the wall-enclosed and criminal-controlled Manhattan island while his life is at stake.
Not having a lot to talk about, some original ideas like the appearance of ballistas, gliders and chandeliers on car hoods are pretty welcome. Last but not least here are some other good reasons to watch escape from New York.
As you can see, Snake-Plissken is an one-eyed old school badass, with the company of an iconic villain but most men would agree (and maybe women too, who am I to judge) that miss Maggie (Adrienne Barbeau) is the main attraction here.
Conclusions
It is an old movie and I have to admit that I do not have enough experience for comparison reasons. Matrix was not even close from happening. So it is very early for the revolution of fighting choreography. If you can get your head around it, it is like watching a good quality project from our 15-year-old selves, where one friend had a camera and the whole neighborhood tried to make a movie.
Favourite quotes
- “Hauk: Remember, once you’re inside you’re on your own. Plissken: Oh, you mean I can’t count on you? Hauk: No. Plissken: Good!”
- “Hauk: You going to kill me, Snake? Plissken: Not now, I’m too tired. Maybe later.”