RyanPC
01-10-2004, 11:07 PM
ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 *****
I found a video cassette of this John Carpenter classic for sale used (in widescreen, no less!) at a video store. Having always wanted to see it, naturally I jumped at the chance to buy it for a mere $2.99. I believe this was Carpenter's second film and based on the plot, I was expecting to like it very much. What I didn't expect was to find Carpenter's best film unfolding right in front of me! Although Halloween and The Thing are right behind it, overall this is his best. It has an awesome score, a great cast (including a pre-Halloween Nancy Loomis and Charles Cyphers), and loads of suspense.
When a young girl is killed, the grief-stricken father murders the gang leader who shot her. Terrified of the other gang members who are chasing him, the father runs into a police station for help. It just so happens that the station is being shut down-- the phone lines will be closed by morning and all the items are packed up in boxes. But the people inside aren't going anywhere. The gang attacks the place, attempting to kill everyone inside. The building's remaining occupants must find a way to get out without first being shot by the 50 or so men surrounding the place.
The whole concept of the film is brilliant and makes for an interesting and exciting way to spend an hour and a half. The screenplay, by Carpenter, has yet to be surpassed in terms of action and suspense-- the events all blend together like a delicious Carpenter milkshake and the result is perfection. The first few minutes are somewhat dull but once the action picks up it never stops until the very end.
What can I say? Assault on Precinct 13 is utterly fabulous and recommended to anyone who loves action and suspense films or who is a fan of Carpenter's work. You won't be disappointed.
I found a video cassette of this John Carpenter classic for sale used (in widescreen, no less!) at a video store. Having always wanted to see it, naturally I jumped at the chance to buy it for a mere $2.99. I believe this was Carpenter's second film and based on the plot, I was expecting to like it very much. What I didn't expect was to find Carpenter's best film unfolding right in front of me! Although Halloween and The Thing are right behind it, overall this is his best. It has an awesome score, a great cast (including a pre-Halloween Nancy Loomis and Charles Cyphers), and loads of suspense.
When a young girl is killed, the grief-stricken father murders the gang leader who shot her. Terrified of the other gang members who are chasing him, the father runs into a police station for help. It just so happens that the station is being shut down-- the phone lines will be closed by morning and all the items are packed up in boxes. But the people inside aren't going anywhere. The gang attacks the place, attempting to kill everyone inside. The building's remaining occupants must find a way to get out without first being shot by the 50 or so men surrounding the place.
The whole concept of the film is brilliant and makes for an interesting and exciting way to spend an hour and a half. The screenplay, by Carpenter, has yet to be surpassed in terms of action and suspense-- the events all blend together like a delicious Carpenter milkshake and the result is perfection. The first few minutes are somewhat dull but once the action picks up it never stops until the very end.
What can I say? Assault on Precinct 13 is utterly fabulous and recommended to anyone who loves action and suspense films or who is a fan of Carpenter's work. You won't be disappointed.