Paula Hammond - Features EditorIf you’ve ever played Metal Gear Solid, Duke Nukem, FallOut, or BroForce, then you’ll know just how deeply John Carpenter’s Snake Plissken has managed to embed himself in popular culture.
This November, the film that launched the one-eyed, whispering anti-hero on unsuspecting audiences gets a new 4K restoration and a limited theatrical run.
Like most of Carpenter’s characters Snake is an outcast—a one time-hero now pitted against a corrupt police force and a draconian government. The premise of the film is simple enough: US President (Donald Pleasance) has been taken captive inside New York—now a maximum security prison—and, with the fate of the world hinging on his presence at a peace conference, Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) must embark on a reluctant rescue mission.
This is a film that boasts some big name stars with Harry Dean Stanton, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Van Cleef adding a touch of class to the B-movie aesthetic.
Escape From New York isn’t an overly polished product but attitude and style goes a long way to compensate for any budget fails. This is a silly escape movie, writ-large with cartoon characters, classic one-liners, and a big heart that beats fast and true.
STUDIOCANAL’s new 4K release comes alongside The Fog, Prince Of Darkness, and They Live, which should give you the perfect excuse to upgrade your collection. If you’re a Carpenter virgin, then the film that spawned the legend of Snake Plissken is the perfect place to jump in—you lucky dog.
