John Carpenter's Escape From L.A.

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John Carpenter's Escape From L.A.

R

1996

1h 41m

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

55%

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60 Reviews

39%

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50,000+ Ratings

In 2013, the United States president (Cliff Robertson) is exiling all citizens who don't conform to his hyper-conservative views to Los Angeles, which became an island after a huge earthquake. But, when the president's daughter nabs the detonator to her dad's apocalyptic weapon and sneaks into L.A. to be with the rebel leader she loves, the government taps commando-turned-crook Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) to retrieve the young woman. And, if he doesn't succeed quickly, he'll be executed.

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Critics Consensus

Escape from L.A. has its moments, although it certainly suffers in comparison to the cult classic that preceded it.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

This time around, Russell seems uncomfortable in the part–a cartoon of a cartoon–but the production design by Blade Runner’s Lawrence G. Paull is so attractive and inventive that this is probably Carpenter’s most visually impressive feature.

Jun 14, 2022

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Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Had this film come out 14 years ago, it would probably still be a late-night video treat, rather than looking a mite tired.

Nov 28, 2017

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Enjoyable in a playful way

Oct 24, 2002

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Adrian Martin

Film Critic: Adrian Martin

I won’t tell you how things end in Escape from L.A., but I will say that the sight of Pliskin, alone with his cigarette in the dark, is one of the most sublime moments of 1990s cinema.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 30, 2025

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Not as iconic as Escape from New York, but still has some fun moments hidden behind pretty awful 90s-era visual effects.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 8, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

If viewers focus on what Carpenter is trying to say, as opposed to the half-hearted method in which he tries to say it, Escape from L.A. becomes a guilty pleasure and thought-provoking look at Carpenter’s worldview.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 8, 2022

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Kyle F.

Obviously not on par with the original, but you have to appreciate the huge dump Carpenter is taking on Hollywood at this time. Fast forward 30 years, we haven’t evolved that much, and the theme is still relevant.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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George M

I don't consider the vastly overrated Escape from New York a great or even a cult film, but this worthless, barely watchable sequel is entirely trash. Even the cast seems bored by the trope filled story.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/25

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Nick O

L.A. is bigger, badder and more outrageous in every possible aspect, whether Snake is surfin’ a tsunami with Peter Fonda or hang gliding the Hollywood hills with Pam Grier. I LOVE L.A.!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Doris B

Está entretenido de principio a fin me gusta visitar películas de los 90's.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

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J H

There are some good performances, but the script is essentially just a rehash of the original. The budget was reportedly $50 million; the money is definitely not on the screen.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

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Adam S

Ups the world -building and satire from the first film, but lacks in grit and authenticity, giving it a bit more of a cheesy feel.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

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John Carpenter

Director

Kurt Russell

Snake Plissken

Stacy Keach

Cmdr. Malloy

Steve Buscemi

Map to the Stars Eddie

Cliff Robertson

President

Peter Fonda

Pipeline

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Basketball to the Death

2:12

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Surfboard Car Chase

2:12

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Hang Glider Assault

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - The Surgeon General

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Shutting Down the Earth

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Fun Gun Injection

1:28

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Helicopter Explosion

2:12

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Bangkok Rules

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Torpedo Sub to L.A.

2:10

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Shot and Sheared

2:11

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Synopsis

In 2013, the United States president (Cliff Robertson) is exiling all citizens who don't conform to his hyper-conservative views to Los Angeles, which became an island after a huge earthquake. But, when the president's daughter nabs the detonator to her dad's apocalyptic weapon and sneaks into L.A. to be with the rebel leader she loves, the government taps commando-turned-crook Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) to retrieve the young woman. And, if he doesn't succeed quickly, he'll be executed.

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Screenwriter: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Pictures International, Rysher Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.5M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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