Escape from New York
Embassy Pictures | Release Date: July 10, 1981
7.6
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 84 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
62
Mixed:
21
Negative:
1
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
alejandro970Jan 20, 2021
Something that we can admire and thank John Carpenter is how he adapted an action film classic -The dirty dozen-, in his own way, and with his characteristic dark tone, and with a plot that captivates from the first minutes. The interestingSomething that we can admire and thank John Carpenter is how he adapted an action film classic -The dirty dozen-, in his own way, and with his characteristic dark tone, and with a plot that captivates from the first minutes. The interesting thing is also that despite being 40 years old, it does not look old.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
eva3si0nSep 12, 2021
Escape from New York is one of the best post-apocalyptic films. These are definitely the best years in the career of the still young Kurt Russell. The film is literally saturated with the history of the USA of the 70s. An excellent actionEscape from New York is one of the best post-apocalyptic films. These are definitely the best years in the career of the still young Kurt Russell. The film is literally saturated with the history of the USA of the 70s. An excellent action movie, which at this level is almost not shot in our time. It's amazing to see the future of John Carpenter in 1981. I am surprised that with such a small budget I managed to make such a great film.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
Onlyclassicvg1Jun 25, 2021
1No es ningún secreto que John Carpenter es el maestro de la atmósfera. Y aquí está en la cima de su juego. Simboliza el pulso real del espectador, así como el pulso de los personajes en la película, a través de este simple pero dramático1No es ningún secreto que John Carpenter es el maestro de la atmósfera. Y aquí está en la cima de su juego. Simboliza el pulso real del espectador, así como el pulso de los personajes en la película, a través de este simple pero dramático latido ... E… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
akshatmahajanJul 25, 2021
From last few days, I have been watching John Carpenter's movie. I read alot of good things about this movie and decided to watch it.

To be honest, my expectations weren't high but I enjoyed it more than I expected. The movie was dramaticFrom last few days, I have been watching John Carpenter's movie. I read alot of good things about this movie and decided to watch it.

To be honest, my expectations weren't high but I enjoyed it more than I expected. The movie was dramatic and tense. The story was a simple rescue mission but the execution was good. The environment created in the movie was also good. The effects and sets used were also good for that time. If we talk about performances, I loved Kurt Russell and others were also good. Direction by John Carpenter was just like his other movies such as Halloween and The Thing. Overall, the movie is good and entertaining. You will enjoy watching it.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
AcidCasualDec 15, 2020
Not perfect, but Jesus wasn't either.

From the initial credits, you're plunged into a universe every man would want to live. A world where everyone sounds cool, they dress mean and if you mess around, you get thrown into a giant open prisonNot perfect, but Jesus wasn't either.

From the initial credits, you're plunged into a universe every man would want to live. A world where everyone sounds cool, they dress mean and if you mess around, you get thrown into a giant open prison where the police and government can't bother you.

The story is quite simple with little to no real need to think outside the box in terms of plot. What's so good about this film is that the characters are true. Pliskin is hard, so he will be hard at some point. Brain is sneaky, so you know he will double cross, the duke is crazy and so on, so it's just a case of when and with time running out, you think to yourself. It's all going to explode.

The cinematography or rather the type of cameras they use and the choice of location gives off a real authenticity to the story. Examples of this are at the beginning when the camera moves up over the wall to show Manhattan island in total darkness. When Pliskin shows up at Brains at this grand library, and when Duke is chasing Pliskin on the bridge, even at the boxing ring.

Epic'ness mixed with the raw, lens flare, 80's style camera work makes the story have great momentum.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
ahmedaiman1999Jul 20, 2019
It's no secret that John Carpenter is the master of atmosphere. And here he's at the top of his game. He symbolizes the actual pulse of the viewer, as well as the characters' pulses in the film, through this simple, yet dramatic heartbeatIt's no secret that John Carpenter is the master of atmosphere. And here he's at the top of his game. He symbolizes the actual pulse of the viewer, as well as the characters' pulses in the film, through this simple, yet dramatic heartbeat pulse sound. The murky dystopian atmosphere that every single scene in the movie is drenched in is also quite convincing. This is probably would make many people angry, but I couldn't help but feel that this film might have an influence on Ridley Scott's masterpiece, Blade Runner!

Unfortunately, I was bored to death watching Escape from New York, for many reasons. First and foremost, the film is cheesy and slow-buring a the same time, and I just couldn't digest that. Hence, I found the movie very silly and slow-paced for its own good.

Secondly, all of the characters are extremely flat, including the bad-ass protagonist, Snake Plissken. Kurt Russell is not to blame, though. He's as cool as always. The rest of the cast also did a good job. I digged the characters of Maggie and Brain, though. I liked how untrustworthy and unreliable they are.

Thirdly, the plot is underdeveloped, unoriginal and stretched out. That made me feel that the film never ends despite its short runtime.

I know it's an unpopular opinion, and the fans may get so pissed off. But unlike all the other Caprenter films, I really didn't enjoy this at all.

(5/10)… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
JoaoogbrielOct 25, 2020
Escape from New York is what Cyberpunk got best, i mean, is not that much Cyberpunk, but is very cool. Now I understand why Kojima choice the name Snake.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
imthenoobJun 16, 2020
I feel like this movie is more hyped up by the cult-like following it has rather than it actually being a good movie. The cast does a solid job but the plot is just too straightforward and too slow-paced for me to really get into.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
MADRICKY97Nov 6, 2018
What, first review for this MASTERPIECE!!! The first time i saw that movie i was 12 and for me it was a blast! New York transform into a island-prison for the dirtiest of us!!! One of the most original and darkest scenario bring to life byWhat, first review for this MASTERPIECE!!! The first time i saw that movie i was 12 and for me it was a blast! New York transform into a island-prison for the dirtiest of us!!! One of the most original and darkest scenario bring to life by master John Carpenter!!! The sound track signed by JC too is also one of the best rythm harmony that still echos in our heads, for 37 years now and still going on, just like Halloween!!! Sorry for those who have not seen that movie yet!!! 10/10 !!!… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
plisken_snakeMar 2, 2020
This is my favourite movie of all time. It has incredible cinematography brought to us by Dean Cundey who also did Halloween, The Thing, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park. This like most of Carpenters work has a somewhat simplistic storyThis is my favourite movie of all time. It has incredible cinematography brought to us by Dean Cundey who also did Halloween, The Thing, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park. This like most of Carpenters work has a somewhat simplistic story that somewhat takes a back seat to the amazing premise of crime has raised by 200% and now in 1997 New York City is a maximum security prison that once you go in you don't come out. The acting especially from Kurt Russel Lee Van Cleef and Donald Pleasence really sells this universe and the synth score from John Carpenter elevates the whole movie. This is a must watch.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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2
wesseldjOct 10, 2020
I was expecting some crossover between Madmax and Big Trouble in little China or even had hopes with glimpse of glory to the likes of Running Man. Had my popcorn and beer ready for some hell of a crazy 80s retro action flick ride.

HoweverI was expecting some crossover between Madmax and Big Trouble in little China or even had hopes with glimpse of glory to the likes of Running Man. Had my popcorn and beer ready for some hell of a crazy 80s retro action flick ride.

However the story and execution of this movie were poorly lacking. Most of the time you don't know what is really going on. The humor was a bit off. And the oneliners didn't really matter much. The characters were flat and the different factions and gangs in the forsaken barren depiction of New York Manhattan City weren't explained and weren't fleshed out. You just didn't care much about them all. There weren't even that many of New York landmarks to make this movie a worthwhile watch, this movie could have been filmed anywhere else, it didn't made it feel like explicitly New York, which is a shame.

The actions were bland and lacked inspiration. And overall it was trying too hard to be something, but failed at it. Even for a B-movie this was badly executed and an abomination of a film. I would not even recommend this for nostalgia sake, it leaves a bitter after taste that can only be forgotten by washing down with some couple cans of more beer......… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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5
DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021
This is very much a 1980s film. It has the look and feel (plus the sound, I suppose) of a 1980s sci-fi film. I couldn't help but smile at some of the outdated technology shown in this film and I imagine for fans of it, there's quite a lot toThis is very much a 1980s film. It has the look and feel (plus the sound, I suppose) of a 1980s sci-fi film. I couldn't help but smile at some of the outdated technology shown in this film and I imagine for fans of it, there's quite a lot to be nostalgic about. I thought it was interesting that in the film, the main character goes into the World Trade Center to try and locate the president, having been involved in a crash nearby (thankfully the president wasn't killed in 9/11, obviously). I wonder how they managed to film it - large urban sets with a desolate backdrop. The sense of fear and distrust is fairly strong. It has quite an underworld type feel to it too. Yes its kind of cheesy but its an ok watch, especially/particularly if you like destruction and not full out explosive type destruction but things being smashed into other things type destruction. For me, this is ok but not an especially good film as such. I know its a bit of a cult hit - fair enough but I wouldn't outright recommend it as such, no.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
HellHoleHorrorApr 3, 2022
I enjoyed this serious film. It was not at all like the sequel which was really a campy version of this film but with a more detailed story. I absolutely loved the effects in this film. They were just these great real effects that had anI enjoyed this serious film. It was not at all like the sequel which was really a campy version of this film but with a more detailed story. I absolutely loved the effects in this film. They were just these great real effects that had an ingenious design and a complete lack of fake computer aided effects. There weren't many interesting characters in this except the exciting Snake. It was a good fantasy action film but sadly lacking the intensity of a bigger budget which they had to make up with talking. It was a very entertaining film but I would have liked to see a touch more action.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
royalguy07Aug 18, 2022
All time wonderful galaxy brain concept, Loomis as the president was hilarious and terribly miscast. Unfortunately the lighting in half the movie is so dull that it became pretty frustrating.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
NickTheCritickNov 22, 2022
A repeat criminal has a chance at a pardon if he helps rescue the president, who is being held hostage in the city prison of Manhattan.
A classic of the utopian-futuristic genre, a film simply in full Carpenter style. An unmissable cult.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Craftnight405Mar 21, 2023
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Was passiert wenn die Kriminalitätsquote um 400% steigt? Eine ganze Stadt wird zu einem Gefängniss ohne Wärter, Ärzte, Köche und anderes Personal. In diesem Science-Fiction Film mit Kurt Russel in der Hauptrolle geht es darum: Der Präsident der USA gelangt wegen eines versuchten Anschlags in dieses Gefängniss, welches sich in New York befindet. Der ehemalige Kriegsheld Snake Plissken (Kurt Russel) muss diesen in 24 Stunden befreien. Es hängt nicht nur sein Leben auf der Spiel sondern der ganzen Welt. Einige Effekte sind schlecht gealter dazu gehören, vor allem die Flugzeugszenen. Es ist gut zu sehen, dass es nicht zu viele Insassen gibt sonst wäre der Film zu überfüllt. Es gibt verschiedenen Gruppierungen innerhalb des Gefägnisses. Darunter Drogenabhängige, Kaniballen, aber auch normale Menschen, welche nur überleben wollen und versuchen dieses im Gefängnis auszuleben. Die gefährlichste Guppierung wird vom Duke angeführt, welche den Präsdenten als Geisel habe, um aus dem Gefängnis rauszukommen. Snake wird nicht als der überkrasse Held dargestellt der es mit allen alleine aufnimmt, obwohl er es versucht braucht er Hilfe. Der Film ist ein guter Science -Fiction Film der mit anderen großen in diesem Genre mithalten kann. Es gibt auch Szenen die an Horrorfilmen erinnert und der Soundtrack in diesem Film ist perfekt. Was bei John Carpender zu erwarten ist.

8/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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