A Solid Thriller That Can't Escape the Shadow of the Original The 2005 remake of Assault on Precinct 13, directed by Jean-François Richet, is a competent, high-stakes action thriller that delivers suspense and solid performances but ultimately pales in comparison to John Carpenter's gritty 1976 original. While it updates the premise with a fresh cast and polished production, it lacks the raw, minimalist charm that made the original a cult classic. Ethan Hawke delivers a commendable performance as Sgt. Jake Roenick, a burnt-out cop dealing with guilt and self-doubt. Hawke brings depth and vulnerability to the role, grounding the film in an emotional reality that contrasts with its over-the-top action. His chemistry with Laurence Fishburne, who plays the enigmatic and dangerous crime boss Marion Bishop, adds a layer of tension that keeps the story engaging. The updated plot shifts the setting to a snowbound Detroit police station, adding a claustrophobic atmosphere that works well for the film's premise. The siege by corrupt cops looking to silence Bishop creates plenty of high-octane moments, and the action sequences are slick and intense. However, the film leans heavily on Hollywood-style shootouts and explosions, sacrificing some of the original's understated tension and bleak tone. One of the remake's shortcomings is its inability to replicate the gritty, no-frills essence of Carpenter's version. The original thrived on its simplicity-a small group of characters facing overwhelming odds in a stark, almost apocalyptic setting. The 2005 version, while entertaining, feels more formulaic and less daring in comparison. Final Thoughts: Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) is an enjoyable action-thriller that benefits from strong performances by Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne. It's stylish and engaging but lacks the raw power and innovative spirit of the original. Fans of the genre will find much to appreciate, but purists may feel it doesn't fully live up to its predecessor's legacy. Rating: 6/10 A solid effort with compelling performances and gripping action, but it can't escape the long shadow cast by the 1976 classic.

It's 45-60 minutes are actually really good, then it quickly devolves by the end of the second act. It's characters, full of potential, quickly devolve into cliche ridden, generic and unlikeable fodder; pretty much everyone outside of Fishburne is very bad. Also features predictable and also cliche ridden story with action that also starts of very good but devolves into subpar and redudant around the same timeframe i mentioned before.

Not as good as Home Alone, Leon, and probably the original, but has a nice custom rap ending. 6.4/10 - Okay.

It ain't the original, but Hawke and Fishburne are very good in this fine maid crime thriller.

A popcorn action movie that doesn't break any new ground. Not great, not bad, just average.

Well made, but the characters aren't likable enough to care.

This isn't half bad. Of course, it is barely a remake. It is more of a sequel or another film in the series. The first one had gang members trying to get into the police station. In this one, its just corrupt cops. This makes the film a much lessor film than the film it is remaking.

It looked quite nice. The snow looked good. There was nothing that exciting and nothing wrong with the looks. The sound was fine. It was unnoticeable and that is fine. The story was quite good and suitably different to the original but I thought that the execution was a little dull. There was just no suspense. It wasn't scary thinking that there was this unstoppable army trying to kill you like in the first one. It was just lacking anything exciting. It lacked the claustrophobia and suspense of the original. It was just another thriller.

Director Jean-François Richet and writer James DeMonaco -- who went on to create The Purge series -- had quite a challenge: how do you remake a John Carpenter classic? After a failed sting operation, Detroit Police Sergeant Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke) has hit rock bottom as he's placed on desk duty at the soon-to-be-closed Precinct 13. On New Year's Eve, a skeleton crew of  Roenick, officer Jasper O'Shea (Brian Dennehy) and secretary Iris Ferry (Drea de Matteo) are all that's in the station when psychiatrist Alexandra Sabian (Maria Bello) comes to evaluate Roenick and Marion Bishop  (Laurence Fishburne), Beck (John Leguizamo), Anna (Aisha Hinds) and Smiley (Ja Rule) all end up being transferred due to a snowstorm. Masked gunmen soon arrive and demand that Bishop be sent to them. They're not his henchmen. Instead, they're corrupt cops under the leadership of Captain Marcus Duvall (Gabriel Byrne), Bishop's former partner. Soon, the precinct is under attack by a series of bad cops and SWAT teams, all wanting to kill the prisoners and cops who are aiding them. The film makes several inversions -- Bishop was a cop's name in the original, Roenick's codename Napoleon was the name of the criminal -- and also remembers that the first movie was a remake of Rio Bravo by having the star of that movie, Dean Martin, on the soundtrack. Did they succeed in updating the movie? Well, I'm partial to the original. It's shocking in its intense violence and very of its time. This feels like just about any other action movie. When asked how he feels about remakes of his films, Carpenter said to The Guardian, "If they pay me, it's wonderful. If they don't pay me, I don't care. I think it's unfair if they don't pay me. I think everyone should pay me. Why not? I'm an old guy now and I need money. Send me money."

This is a sad and unnecessary spin on the classic 1976 John Carpenter classic. After sitting through it, I went back and re-watched the original. There is simply no comparison. This one takes place in Detroit, in an old cop precinct in the factory district. But there are inexplicable scenes late in the film that take place in the woods. Woods in Detroit? Give me a break. There are also about a half dozen plot holes and other illogical nonsense. The original Carpenter film is lean and mean, and the cinematography is crisp and skillful. Here, it's just a bunch of annoying camera-shaking and jarring quick cuts. Forget this altogether and watch the real deal.

Con Air within a Detroit's cells behind bars in a winter storm where "thugs" just walk-in & have a party. What best gift for New year with corrupted consipracy twist & Mexican standoff? Where are the RPGs?

This action movie was terrible. Ethan Hawke, Lawrence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Ja Rule, and the rest of the cast did a terrible job in this movie. The plot to the movie was pathetic and just about everyone in the movie dies. I definitely wouldn't recommend this movie. It's a total waste of time. This movie will go down as one of the worst movies ever made.

I like this version of precinct 13 it has great cast, best action sequences,and a perfect Christmas/New Year's film to enjoy.

Okay on its own, crap as a remake.

A Hollywood remake that's very uneven and less gritty, but very fun thanks to the cast and some blood soaked thrills.

The Updated Version Is More Entertaining, Less Focused On Script & Acting (As The Original Low Budget Had To Focus On) & This Is More About Action Sequences With The Story Updated For Police Corruption In The Modern Day. The Only Pitfall Is It Will Be Compared To The Original Where The Acting & Genuine Fear In The Performances Is Well-Played..In This Film Many Of Them Seemed To Be Just There..With No Intent On Any Grand Performance. It Still Outshines The Original Due To Effects & The Budget To Blow Stuff Up.

This films makes me feel like I'm watching a video game cutscene... A very bad video game

An isolated police precinct on the last night before it closes with a skeleton crew finds itself under siege and Ethan Hawke must lead his small group of a grizzled aging police officer Brian Dennehy, secretaries Drea de Matteo and Maria Bello, and some assorted criminals in lock-up, the main one being master criminal Laurence Fishburne, who's prison transport bus had to make an unexpected pitstop. It's a great set up and John Carpenter's original film is a true classic. Carpenter's film is a perfectly executed "siege film." That original film is worthy of a remake and I do commend sequels that dare to stray from their source material, but this one strayed too far. It has the same set up, but the precinct comes under siege from form commandos and not faceless gang members, and goes even further astray when the plot drifts into double crosses and political conspiracies. The film's worst offense is that this remake forgot to be a siege film, which is what made the original so good. It seems like the characters are constantly leaving the building and the film even ends far far away the titular precinct. Despite the film's faults, Fishburne is great, as always, and Hawke is good in the lead (he actually makes a pretty good action here). I also love anything with Maria Bello. The action is decent and the film is slickly made, even if it didn't have the claustrophobic suspense that it should have.

About as bad a movie as I've ever seen. Practically unwatchable from the start. So poorly made that it might put you to sleep. (First and only viewing - 8/3/2017)

Of course, compaired to the original, it' not as good in any way, but it still deserves it's place in the remake world, believe me, there's been much worst. This movie gets mixed opinions, but I think that it's not too bad for a remake. Something that made Carpenter's original so good was the campy, low-budget and simplistic look to it. This one is more of a big budget action film, with a famous cast like Ethan Hawke, or Laurence Fishburne, which can be good too, if done right. Overall, it's entertaining enough to keep you watching and it's worth watching if you liked the original, cause, while not as good, isn't shitty either.