Movie Review by Nigel A. Messenger
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Maria Bello
Director: Jean-François Richet
Director John Carpenter made the original version of this movie back in 1976 and it really was a great film for its era.
It was only a matter of time that such a cult classic would be remade and any real movie fan is sure to want to see this if only out of curiosity.
If you don’t already know the plot it’s New Year’s Eve, it’s snowing and the bad weather forces a prison transport buss off the road and into the protection of a nearly deserted police station with most of its staff either off duty or already moved to the new ultra modern station that’s been built to replace it.
Amongst the handful of prisoners on the bus however is one Bishop (Laurence Fishburne) highly dangerous and about to talk, which will implicate a whole department of corrupt police officers.
In charge of Precinct 13 is Sergeant Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke) an honest cop who has lost most of his confidence and it’s the decisions he makes that will decide the fate of all those in the police station. With a virtual army of police outside determined to kill Bishop and all the possible witnesses, including all the police on the inside, you’ll have to watch the film to see who will survive the night.
ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 is not a big budget remake but just because money hasn’t been thrown at the screen don’t think that this is not an exciting and well made movie. Combine this with a wealth of acting talent, every one of whom deserves recognition for this and you’re in for a treat. One minor point is what could be considered a slightly shaky opening scene but the film soon finds its pace and the tension builds up.
I didn’t think a re-make could really do John Carpenter’s unique style of filmmaking justice but the film has been totally updated and director Jean-François Richet has done an excellent job and created his own future cult classic.
