Escape from L.A.

Name: Escape from L.A.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: August 9, 1996
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 54
Cast: Kurt Russell, Stacy Keach, Steve Buscemi

1996

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

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Escape From L.A.

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: August 9, 1996 | R

Starring: Kurt Russell, Stacy Keach, Steve Buscemi

Summary: Snake Plissken is once again called in by the United States government to recover a potential doomsday device from Los Angeles, now an autonomous island where undesirables are deported.

Director: John Carpenter

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

John Carpenter's Escape From L.A. is a go-for-broke action extravaganza that satirizes the genre at the same time it's exploiting it. Read full review

Harper Barnes

Unlike many action-flick heroes, Snake Plissken is more than welcome the second time around. [09 Aug 1996, p.5E]

Desson Thomson

Compared to Escape From New York, the weapons are bigger and the violence is more extensive, although it’s toned down by today’s excessive standards. There are also greater special effects this time, involving holograms and nuclear-powered submarines. But Escape From L.A. is more enjoyable in a playful way. Read full review

Christopher Harris

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. [12 Aug 1996, p.C1]

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Good, dirty, escapist fun. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Escape From L.A., which the director wrote with Mr. Russell and Debra Hill, is much too giddy to make sense as a politically astute pop fable. As amusing as some of its notions may be, none are developed into sustained running jokes. [09 Aug 1996, p.C5]

Rene Rodriguez

When Escape From L.A. isn't being ridiculous, it's merely dumb. It's no fun at all. [09 Aug 1996, p.6G]

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User Reviews

daviddelnorte23

Aug 17, 2017

Seré muy breve, ya sé que esta no es de las mejores películas de Carpenter, pero quería salir de lo que este director había hecho más allá del género de terror. ¿Porqué 'Escape from LA'? Muy fácil. En primer lugar, no sabía que esta era una secuela de 'Escape from NY' y en segundo lugar, alSeré muy breve, ya sé que esta no es de las mejores películas de Carpenter, pero quería salir de lo que este director había hecho más allá del género de terror. ¿Porqué 'Escape from LA'? Muy fácil. En primer lugar, no sabía que esta era una secuela de 'Escape from NY' y en segundo lugar, al salir Steve Buscemi (sí, mi actor preferido) era carne de cañón para ser visionada. No es mala, para mí tiene un guión competente para lo que es una pura serie B y en la dirección, es Carpenter amigos. Pero si que en general es flojita y digamos que una película más. Es más de lo mismo que se hacía en la época. Esta divertida, mola ver a Kurt Russell y poco más. Aún así por ver a Buscemi y más cine de este genio estoy contento de haber visto. Dejar claro, que en ningún momento me aburrí o se me hizo pesada, todo lo contrario. Las duraciones de los trabajos de Carpenter, me gustan mucho. Buena peli.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

akshatmahajan

Jul 26, 2021

From last few days, I have been watching John Carpenter's movie. I read alot of good things about Escape From New York and watched it. I enjoyed that movie and decided to watch this sequel even after knowing that it got less positive reviews than the original and also flopped at box office.From last few days, I have been watching John Carpenter's movie. I read alot of good things about Escape From New York and watched it. I enjoyed that movie and decided to watch this sequel even after knowing that it got less positive reviews than the original and also flopped at box office. For your info, this movie is now considered cult classic and it deserves to be.

After seeing critic reviews, my expectations weren't high but I enjoyed it more than I expected. The movie was dramatic and tense. The story was the same as original. There were just a few changes, rest everything was same. Even some of the dialogues were also same. Like the original, the execution was good. The environment created in the movie was also good but this movie didn't have that much strong environment which one first created. One big complaint which I had with the movie was the special effects. They were so bad. It was looking like video games. Jurassic park which came 3 years before this movie had far far better graphics than this one. I don't understand where did the producers spent $50M? If we talk about performances, I loved Kurt Russell and others were also good. Direction by John Carpenter was just like his other movies such as Halloween, The Thing and Escape From New York.

Overall, the movie is good and entertaining. You will enjoy watching it except this movie did some mistakes which were not in the original.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HellHoleHorror

May 8, 2022

It does look dated. The special effects aren't that great but I still think that they have a certain charm. It is ambitious. I don't really remember the sound. Nothing noticeable. It was probably fine. I like this film because it is silly and entertaining. The main guy is such a badass thatIt does look dated. The special effects aren't that great but I still think that they have a certain charm. It is ambitious. I don't really remember the sound. Nothing noticeable. It was probably fine. I like this film because it is silly and entertaining. The main guy is such a badass that it is awesome. The story is so silly that you have to love it. All of the characters are so wild and memorable. A good fun film that is a b-movie and I love it anyway! Cheesy entertainment!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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93	#93 Best Movie of 1996
72	#72 Most Discussed Movie of 1996