Rating: 
Summary: Awesome Carpenter flick!
Review: I think this is a beautifully done dvd because it has features you can only dream of.(like the deleted opening sequence)I think this is one of John Carpenter's best films and I recommend this dvd to anyone who is a Carpenter or Kurt Russell fan. A true cult Classic!
Rating: 
Summary: A Not So Fresh Look Back at a Campy Classic
Review: When I was an 11 year old kid, there was no one cooler than Snake Plissken. Even Indiana Jones didn't have a chance. This movie has always been one of my favorites, but in a hokey, fun way. Much like Waterworld was a strong end-of-the-world concept with a weak film production, this movie is what it is: A low budget, campy B movie with some memorable, colorful characters. Carpenter can be criticized for using the same actors over and over again in his movies. As is mentioned in the commentary: "Both of our ex-wives are in this movie." Then he tarnished the original film by producing a forgettable sequel. I always thought the weapons that they gave Snake were cool but bad choices for rescuing a man from a prison. Why is there a scope on a Mac 10? How stealthy is a chrome plated pistol? Can you really kill someone with a throwing star? The silliest action sequence has to be when Snake wastes a whole clip of ammo to shoot a hole through that super thin wall. This scene is shown too many times in the trailer etc. Snake's finest moment belongs in a Zucker Brothers (Airplane) movie. Why is the MAC 10 still loud even with the silencer on it? Some people don't know that Jim Cameron worked on this movie as as special effects guy. His attention to detail is evident. Has Carpenter "dumbed down" this movie too much? All of the graphics showing the wall around the city, the historical references to the crime rate rising in 1988 and the city being converted into a prison in 1991. Carpenter says during his commentary that this was all necessary because people didn't understand the setting of the story. Maybe that "small group of people" who previewed the movie should have been a little larger or smarter? I agree that the opening bank robbery sequence is too long and it softens the Snake character too much. Some of the best post-apocalyptic movies I've seen don't reference a specific year (The Road Warrior, Waterworld). The dates make this movie less timeless now. I enjoyed the commentaries but was disappointed when Kurt says "that was 14 years ago.". That was when I knew that the commentary from the mid-90's laserdisc edition had simply been lifted and put on this new DVD release. I anxiously awaited some sort of comment on the World Trade Center/ 9/11, but that happened years after this laserdisc commentary was made. A plane was crashed into a building and the WTC was a key landmark in the movie. I couldn't help but wonder why this subject was ignored. Debra Hill's commentary was done in 2001, but obviously prior to 9/11. Kurt is a fun guy and I also enjoyed his commentary on Used Cars. The new documentary that revisits the movie was good. I enjoyed seeing all the faces again, even though it made me feel old. The packaging is gorgeous but it ripped on one of the folds when I was trying to dig the comic book out of its pocket. I still say that Jerry and David Zucker could make a funny movie spoofing the classic futuristic post-apocalyptic films. Snake Plissken would need to be in it though.
Rating:
Summary: "Get a new president..."
Review: Hailed as a cult classic by many, John Carpenter's "Escape from New York" is finally available in a more-than-appropriate DVD edition that does the film justice. A dark movie filled with danger, action, suspense, and even humor, this is the classic that gave birth to the ultimate outlaw and anti-hero; Snake Plissken. Now, you can relive the movie like never before. In a post-apocalyptic world filled with crime and violence, the entire city of Manhattan has been transformed into a prison--a death sentence to most. Here, the prisoners are sent once they are banned from society and are forced to stay a life sentence to fight on their own. A crisis is before the people who are in charge of the prison, as the President has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by the very people they dedicated their lives to lock up. The only chance they have is a former war hero turned outlaw, Snake Plissken. They make him a deal that if he can bring back the President alive, all of the charges against him will be dropped. However, there's yet another catch; the main man in charge of the prison has injected Plissken with an explosive device that will be the end of him in less than 24 hours should he not be successful, insuring that he won't "flee" the scene. All of this leads to an exciting and thrilling cult classic that is loved by many. John Carpenter has done a terrific job of painting a dark and bleak picture of law enforcement as we know it. At the same time, he does an excellent job of creating a successful and subtle satire of law and authority. The script is always clever and surprising. While the movie might be a little dated, it still does not take away anything from the raw effect the movie has on us. Kurt Russell is fantastic as the mono-toned "Snake Plissken." He makes the role his own and stands out as one of our favorite anti-heroes in film. All of the right ingredients to make a successful and exciting film are there. This new DVD edition is a lot better than the previous one. The picture has been remastered in high-definition, which truly stands out as an accomplishment. The sound is decent, but we must keep in mind that this is an old movie and the sound can only be restored so much. Extras included are commentaries, photo galleries, an exclusive comic book, featurettes, trailers, the deleted scene of the original opening; the bank robbery, and more. I can tell you for sure that I am much more pleased with this edition of the film. "Escape from New York" is definitely one of those films that stands out from the rest. It is a cult classic for a reason, and that reason is undeniable. While it may be overlooked by some, the ones who really appreciate it for what it is benefits a great amount of deal from it. If you're looking for an exciting thrill ride with action, suspense, and humor, this is the one to check out. A superb film on every front.
Rating:
Summary: "The name's Snake!" "I thought you were dead!"
Review: ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK is a big Western masquerading as an action-packed Sci Fi romp. Sergio Leone could not have made it any better, and witness that John Carpenter even used Leone alum Lee Van Cleef! Made at the dawn of the 80s ... this is the movie that made Kurt Russell an action hero, cemented John Carpenter as a filmmaker with a style all his own, and took the decline of New York (during that period it was the crime capitol of the world) to dizzying ridiculous hyperbole. It's dated now. New York did not become a maximum security prison, we've yet to elect an English President, and fashion has come a long way along with action films. But this movie holds its own quirky charm! The story revolves around Snake Plisken, a convicted bank robber and veteran of a war in (of all places) Siberia (which is why he wears black and white camo pants). He has 24 hours to break in to New York, save the President of the US who has been hijacked into Manhattan which is a maximum security prison. Along the way he will find gangs of lunatics, old allies, and ultimately the Duke of New York (Issac Hayes - giving his best pimp daddy performance). It's all giddy fun from start to finish! Carpenter delivers a great score, and all the actors seem to be having a blast playing larger than life parts! It was a hit back in the day, and has remained a cult favorite almost immediately. The collector's edition features commentary by Carpenter and Kurt (together again for another funny and informative audio track). The commentary was recorded in 1994, so forgive them for not knowing about 9-11 during the World Trade Center sequences. Oddly enough the two provide commentary on the deleted "bank robbery" sequence, and that sounds newly recorded. Also featured is a 2nd commentary featuring Debra Hill and the production designer. They get more technical, and have the fortune of recording this track recently. Included are trailers, a documentary, a comic book, and radio spots. The transfer is MUCH better than the previous transfer for the single disc, but both are a major improvement over video. Very worthwile piece of 80s filmmaking!
Rating:
Summary: Fun for the whole family!
Review: This film is based on a terrific idea. It's the future, see, and New York has been walled up and turned into a maximum-security prison. If that concept doesn't grab you, you won't enjoy this cult classic. If it _does_ grab you, you're probably part of this film's target demographic. So here's what happens: the President (Donald Pleasence, of all people) has ejected from Air Force One and gone down somewhere in New York. He's being held prisoner and somebody is going to have to rescue him. Fortunately, convicted felon Snake Plisskin (Kurt Russell) is on his way there as a prisoner, and maybe in exchange for a full pardon he can be induced to save the President's butt. If he doesn't succeed within 24 hours, two bombs implanted in his arteries will kill him. Well, okay, it ain't _Les Miz_. But it's a good action flick and it's got the tremendously underrated Kurt Russell, in the film in which he finally shucked off his Disneyfied past. And it's directed by John Carpenter, who doesn't make _great_ movies but can turn out a _good_ one on a budget of about twenty bucks. This one's kind of cartoony; the bad guys, led by Isaac Hayes, look like Feyd-Rautha (as played by Sting) and a couple dozen Cheeches and Chongs. But Ernest Borgnine is charmingly droll as the Cabbie, Lee Van Cleef is Lee Van Cleef, and even Adrienne Barbeau has her moments. (And it's nowhere near as cartoony as Van Damme's _Cyborg_, in which all the characters are named after musical instruments. 'Gibson Rickenbacker', indeed.) I don't think the whole thing _quite_ gels, but it comes close. And it's fun to watch and even wallow in. It's all very dark and gritty, vaguely apocalyptic, and delightfully lacking in real 'good guys'; even Plisskin is the best of a bad lot, and we root for him more because he's played by Kurt Russell than because he has all that many genuinely redeeming features. It's a good movie for people who like anti-heroes, and to my tastes it's way better than _Mad Max_. And the low budget is probably a plus, because it provides an excuse for all the things that would still have been wrong with the movie even if it had cost ten times as much to make. I like it. Your mileage may vary, but maybe you'll like it too.
Rating:
Summary: Escape from you wallet
Review: Escape from your wallet? Well thats exactly what your cash should be doing right now! It's taken so long for die hard fans to finaly get to see the Bank Robbery sequence that is included on this disc. I already owned the first DVD release of this title and when you compare the two together the transfer is so much better and the sound is great. There is a comic included which is roughly the same size as the one included in the special edition of spider man. If you have also played the first Metal Gear Solid on the PS one you will notice that the start of the first game has the same elevator squence has the bank robbery. This film deserves all the attention it gets.Get it Snake Bites!
Rating: 
Summary: Escape From New York (Special Edition)
Review: The transfer is actually pretty good. The movie itself is quite dated but entertaining especially if are a comic book fan. If you loved the movie the first time by all means buy it. If you like Kurt Russell, have not seen the movie, are not really a comic book fan, and can't really imagine Kurt in a dark role, it may not be a film that trips your trigger. It really didn't work for me.
Rating:
Summary: I heard you were dead...
Review: Although this two DVD set has a bit of padding, Escape from New York The Special Edition is a huge improvement on the original DVD release from a couple of years ago. It's 1997 Manhattan Island is now a prison with no guards and prisoners left to fend for themselves. The Air Force One en route to an important conference with the Soviet Union and Chinese Government is hijacked by a group of political terrorists. The President, who was set to present important information at the conference, and the rest of the crew go down inside the walls of the prison. Snake Plissken is a decorated war veteran who has become a notorious outlaw. When captured Plissken is sentenced to the Island prison. Hauk (Lee Van Cleef) recognizes Plissken and hatches a plan to get the president and the vital info out; send in Plissken to retreive both. Hauk has two microscopic explosives planted in Plsseken's head to make him do his end of the bargain in return Hauk has arranged a pardon. Escape is among Carpenter's best films and one of his most visually dazzling ones as well. Despite working with a budget of around $6 million, Carpenter works wonders using real locations, sets and outstanding miniature work to bring Escape to life. Any film is only as good as its central performance and Kurt Russell's irony etched performance as Snake echo's Clint Eastwood's The Man With No Name or even Dirty Hairy without apeing them. He still manages to bring the character to life using the popular anti-heroes Eastwood embodied to sketch the character. He brings flesh and bone to the performance. Lee Van Cleef is perfect as Snake's foil (as he was for Eastwood in two of the films in the Dollars trilogy). Rounded out by an excellent cast (Ernest Borgnine, Adriene Barbeau, Harry Dean Stanton as Brian (aka Harold),Issac Hayes as the Duke of New York and, of course, Donald Pleasance as the President) Escape from New York manages to out perform its modest origin. This deluxe edition is a marked improvement over the previous edition. The high definition transfer isn't marred with a lot of analog or digital compression problems (although there are a few minor compression issues evident)and the remastered sound is generally very good. The extras are very good as well; there's two audio commentaries (one of them sounds very similar to the one Carpenter did for the laserdisc edition but given that it's the same film discussed only years apart that's not a surprise). Carpenter and Russell are the most entertaining on the audio commentary tracks while Hill and production designer Joe Alves (Close Encounters and Jaws)provide additional insight on the second. Disc two features the complete bankrobbery sequence cut from the opening of the original film by Carpenter (he's right--it wasn't really necessary and the film works much better without it). There's also a fine featurette discussing the film's origin and impact featuring new interviews with Russell, Hill, Carpenter and others from the production crew. The second feaurette focuses on the creation and final production of the comic book based on the character. An issue of the final product is included in miniature form. While it isn't relevent to the film directly, it's interesting nonetheless. There's the usual theatrical trailers and an odd feaurette that focuses on key scenes of Russell and music cues from the film. You probably won't watch the latter more than once. The photo gallery is pretty good although there isn't anything earthshattering revealed. I'm not a big fan of accordion packaging and that's the single flaw with this package. Otherwise, the design of the packaging is top notch and attractive. The cardboard packaging will probably not stand up to wear and tear well, so I'd suggest getting a couple of snap cases to put the film in and storing the packaging if you're a collector. One of Carpenter's finest films finally gets the respect it deserves and the deluxe treatment on DVD. The transfer is exceptional with a few minor flaws and the extras are only icing on the cake. The inclusion of the Snake Plessken comic book is a nice extra as well that will probably disappear with later reissues. Overall, MGM and Studio Canal have done an outstanding job in presenting Carpenter's film the way it deserves to be seen.
Rating:
Summary: Snake Plissken Escapes from DVD Hell...
Review: A few years ago, MGM released a bare-bones DVD of EFNY and were rightly criticized for not including anything in the way of supplemental material. A glaring omission for such a beloved movie. The studio has more than redeemed itself with this new two DVD Special Edition that should please the fans. There are two audio commentaries on the first DVD. The first one is with producer Debra Hill and production designer Joe Alves and focuses on production anecdotes and how the special effects of the film were achieved. The second audio track is with John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, and is the one fans will enjoy the most. The two men joke and banter with each other like old friends and it is this relaxed, conversational tone that really makes this track such an enjoyable listen. There is an excellent documentary entitled, "Return to Escape From New York" located on the second DVD. A treat for fans is all the new cast and crew interviews conducted especially for this documentary: the always radiant Adrienne Barbeau, the normally publicity shy Harry Dean Stanton and even the Duke himself, Isaac Hayes! They all speak fondly of their experiences on the film. There is also a so-so a photo montage of how an issue of the comic book is put together, from rough sketches to its arrival in stores. In a nice touch, the issue that is shown is also included with the DVD. "Snake Bites" is a collection of clips from the film scored to some atmospheric electronic music. This really isn't all that interesting and seems like unnecessary padding to fill out the DVD. The other extra that has been eagerly anticipated by fans is the famous original opening of the film. Snake and his partner rob a bank and are caught with Snake being arrested and his partner being gunned down. This scene sets up Snake's arrival at the New York prison but Carpenter cut it because test audiences were confused by it. This footage was thought to be lost long ago. It is finally being presented in its entirety on this DVD. The footage is quite grainy but watchable and features an optional audio commentary by Carpenter and Russell (who had never seen the footage before). Rounding out the disc are a nice collection of TV spots, a theatrical trailer, and a photo gallery with lobby cards, behind-the-scenes and production stills. Escape From New York is a fast-paced action film that contains a dark, satirical edge that never falters, even right up to the film's conclusion. The DVD, with its wonderfully themed menus (done in the same style as the film), stunning transfer and top notch extras, ranks right up there with the excellent Big Trouble in Little China (1986) special edition set that came out a few years ago. This new special edition was obviously made with the fans in mind and this only enhances its value.
Rating:
Summary: a good old time
Review: John Carpenter directs Kurt Russell in another one of his movies..this time, Russell plays Snak Plissken..a outlaw man who is sent to New York because air force one was taken hostage and then the presidents escape pod landed in the city..so Russell is sent in with a glyder(not much fun special effects..though its an 80's action movie) and he has hours till he finds the kidnapped president(Donald Pleasence)0 who is under hostage by Isaac Hayes..so Russell zips threw the city dodging every corner and turn with some help from Brain(Harry Dean Stanton), Cabby(Ernest Borgnine) and many others...some characters down it but the chase scene at the end is great
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