John Carpenter’s Escape from L.A. (1996)
55%RT Audience Score: 39%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Escape from L.A. has its moments, although it certainly suffers in comparison to the cult classic that preceded it
Escape from L.A. is a wild ride that’s sure to leave you feeling like you’ve been on a rollercoaster. While some critics may say that it’s a bit tired, I say it’s a classic that’s just as fun to watch now as it was when it first came out. Kurt Russell may seem a bit uncomfortable in his role, but the production design is so impressive that you won’t even notice. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see a movie about escaping from Woonsocket, Rhode Island? Overall, Escape from L.A. is a guilty pleasure that’s worth watching for its brazenly nihilistic sense of humor and playful vibe.
Production Company(ies)
Universum Film
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
1996
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:NA
-
Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 1998
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Kurt Russell, Stacy Keach, Steve Buscemi, Cliff Robertson, Peter Fonda, Georges Corraface, directed by John Carpenter, written by John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell, action, R rating, box office gross, $25.5M, reviewed by Dave Kehr, Chris Peachment, Owen Gleiberman, Desson Thomson, Jeff Millar, Peter Stack, Brian Eggert, Matt Brunson, Allison Rose, Douglas Davidson, Joe Leydon, Bryant Frazer, cult classic, Snake Plissken, Los Angeles, hyper-conservative views, rebel leader, apocalyptic weapon, commando-turned-crook, production design, Lawrence G Paull, special effects, CGI, composites, urban-centered, sequel, nihilistic sense of humor, surfboard ride, Wilshire Boulevard
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Stacy Keach – Cmdr. Malloy
Steve Buscemi – Map to the Stars Eddie
Cliff Robertson – President
Peter Fonda – Pipeline
Georges Corraface – Cuervo Jones
Director(s)
John Carpenter
Writer(s)
John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Producer(s)
Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (27)
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.
June 14, 2022
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Had this film come out 14 years ago, it would probably still be a late-night video treat, rather than looking a mite tired.
November 28, 2017
Chris Peachment
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: C+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Enjoyable in a playful way
October 24, 2002
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
The special effects vary from OK to lame to very lame.
July 5, 2002
Jeff Millar
Houston Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Dark, percussive and perversely fun.
June 18, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Stack
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
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.
June 8, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
At least audiences never had to sit through any more urban-centered follow-ups, be it Escape from Miami, Escape from Chicago, or even Escape from Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
February 27, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
If you have never seen this sequel, I suggest you dont compare it to Escape from New York, because they are as different as the two movies could be.
February 25, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Allison Rose
FlickDirect
If you feel similarly and have been jonesing for a chance to revisit Carpenters L.A., I only recommend that you wait until Paramount fixes the audio. Only then would this be a solid recommendation.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Douglas Davidson
Elements of Madness
A slam-bang sequel with a brazenly nihilistic sense of humor.
February 21, 2022
Joe Leydon
The Moving Picture Show
…its CGI is frankly cartoonish, while the composites that make up that surfboard ride down Wilshire Boulevard are…unconvincing…
February 18, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
Bryant Frazer
Film Freak Central…
Plot
In a dystopian future, Snake Plissken is tasked with retrieving the president’s daughter from a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles in John Carpenter’s Escape from L.A.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Steve Buscemi plays the character Map to the Stars Eddie in John Carpenter’s Escape from L.A.
John-Carpenter.jpg
