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

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

39%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 2013, the United States president was 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 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

06/14/2022

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.

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Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

11/28/2017

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

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

10/24/2002

Enjoyable in a playful way

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Apr 16

3/5

…if it’s not as good as the original, Escape from LA still greases the wheels enough to keep us sweet for a return to Plissken’s way of doing things; not buying anyone’s Kool Aid, thinking for himself, screwing over authority every single chance he gets…

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John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Feb 9

3/4

It's a mix of goofy parody, poorly staged action, fun if unconvincing special effects and leftist, even subversive satire.

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Adrian Martin

Film Critic: Adrian Martin

Jul 30

3/5

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.

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John C.

@RT18968112 Apr 1

Say What you will, I'm a fan of both Carpenter and Russell having fun. 5 Stars 🤩. Snake is Back!

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Smyles A.

@Smyles Mar 24

This one was pretty cool. Took on a completely different vibe than the new York one... Left me wanting a 3rd movie

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Jason H

@RT50328122 Feb 16

It's fun to see Kurt Russell as Snake again, but this sequel just regurgitates the original. Some of the special effects are laughable.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 28

It might follow the same template as its predecessor, but it's all still awesome!!!

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Kyle F.

@kfinley05 Sep 21

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.

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George M

@Milkyway Sep 15

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.

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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 - Shutting Down the Earth

2:13

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

2:13

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

2:12

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

1:28

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

2:13

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

2:11

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

2:10

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Synopsis

In 2013, the United States president was 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 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, Mystery & Thriller
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)