REVIEW: ESCAPE FROM L.A. (1996)

[Steve Kong]

ESCAPE FROM L.A.
A film review by Steve Kong
Copyright 1997 Steve Kong

In the year 2000 Los Angeles is flattened and separated from mainland US by a
large earthquake. The President of the United States predicted this incident.
And after the earthquake, the President makes it possible for the term of
office to be life-long. This is no regular President either, he flies in the
Air Force Three and is a very religious person. L.A. is turned into a prison
island, where the murderers, rapists, thieves, and atheists are sent for the
rest of their lives.

Snake Plissken, a well known military man and now criminal, is caught and
given an offer. The offer comes from the President. His daughter after
spending some time, together with a bad gangster on L.A. island, in a virtual
reality world, has now run away. She's run away with a very dangerous weapon,
and the President's offer to Snake is to get the device back. Snake would then
be forgiven for all his past wrongdoings. Snake doesn't really want to do it,
but is convinced into it after learning that he has a deadly virus coursing
through his system. And, using a classic movie device, the virus is a timed
virus. Snake on has less than a day to get the device back before he dies. If
he gets the device back, he gets the antidote.

Escape From L.A. is a grand escapist film. It takes us to the Island L.A.,
which looks like sets from Blade Runner after a large earthquake. The action
in Escape is wildly over the top and satisfyingly fun. The action ranges from
underwater submarine rides to surfing a tsunami. Kurt Russell's Snake is a
tough guy with a low grumbling voice and a dark sense of humor.
I have not seen Escape from New York, which was the "prequel" to Escape From
L.A., so I cannot give a comparison to it.

Escape From L.A. is an awesome two hours that tries to be nothing more than
what it is, an action film. There is a large dose of violence in the film that
makes the film unsuitable for the younger crowd and the squimish. If you like
action films don't miss Escape From L.A.

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