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.

| Jun 14, 2022

Had this film come out 14 years ago, it would probably still be a late-night video treat, rather than looking a mite tired.

| Nov 28, 2017

| Original Score: C+ | Sep 7, 2011

Enjoyable in a playful way

| Oct 24, 2002

The special effects vary from OK to lame to very lame.

Full Review | Jul 5, 2002

Dark, percussive and perversely fun.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 18, 2002

Escape from L.A. is too preposterous to be a good film. But in keeping with its title, it does provide a couple of hours of entertaining escapism.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 12, 2002

Buscemi, Fonda, Robertson, Grier and many others get to make vivid impressions, but of course it's Russell who must carry this swiftly paced picture. As rugged as ever and attractively weathered, he does so with ease.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 14, 2001

This is the kind of movie Independence Day could have been if it hadn't played it safe.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

Tries but fails to be an action-hero flick or even a parody of one.

| Jan 1, 2000

As amusing as some of its notions may be, none are developed into sustained running jokes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 1, 2000

Intermittently clever ideas are rarely executed to full effect, but the film moves reasonably well on its way to surround-sound pyrotechnics amid a climactic aerial attack.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

A poetic pulp movie made with joy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

John Carpenter's vision of a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles is a go-for-broke action extravaganza that satirizes the genre at the same time it's exploiting it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

Loud, rollicking, alternately ultra-violent and hilarious, Escape from L.A. is Snake redux, and what more do you need, really?

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

| Original Score: C+ | Aug 9, 1996