Assault On Precinct 13 (DVD 2005)

John Carpenter used to direct some great films. That may be hard to believe having watched more recent efforts like Vampires and Ghosts of Mars. In his heyday he created brilliant films such as Halloween, Escape From New York and the Thing. Assault On Precinct 13 is right up there with the best of them. The violent depiction of a crazed gang intent on revenge is still unnerving. The film was made on a very low budget, with no star names among the cast but that does not detract in the slightest. It shows a good idea and well executed plot more than make up for special effects. Don't be put off by the remake, as this is far superior

We used to have the video of this film but in this digital age we couldn't play it - we are already digital in the Scottish Borders.
I was very pleased to be able to buy the DVD of this great movie. The new version is not a patch on it.

A fantastic film that keeps you gripped through out. Although some of the effects are hardly high budget, this doesn't detract from the film in the slightest. The shocking nature of certain scenes and the brilliant characters come together to make a must watch film from the legned that is John Carpenter.

"Black?"
"For over 30 years!"

I love this film, it is infinity better than the shabby remake of a couple of years ago. Set in mid seventies LA it tells the tale of a police station under siege from a street gang after an ordinary citizen kills a gang member in revenge for the killing of his daughter during a robbery on an ice cream van. After a car chase he seeks sanctuary in the police station the night before it is due to close down and is manned by only a skelaton staff. Apart from these, the police station also contains several prisoners who are being transfered between prisoners including the infamous Napoleon Wilson, who becomes an unlikely hero (and he has the best lines). Once the attack begins and the shooting starts the defenders are soon whittled down and ammunition runs low. The scene with all the shooting (you'll know the one I mean when you watch it) is a wonderfully politically incorrect shoot 'em up that gets the heart racing and is just plain exciting. It's been one of my favourite movie moments since I first saw it over 25 years ago.
It's only fair I also mention the negatives; it is very gritty, at times the dialogue is a bit cliched and there are some minor holes in the plot. However, the film has a huge number of pluses; the story moves quickly, the characters are good fun especially Wilson and Starker, the action scenes are great and the music score is quite simply the coolest you could ever hope to hear. I actually own the sound track.
Get some beer, order a pizza and spend the best part of two hours watching a film where good guys shoot lots of bad guys.

I have to say that I am a fan of all of John Carpenters films and this in my opinion is one of his best, the remake isn't anywhere near as good so for me this is the one to have. If you like a film with gripping suspense then I would recommend this to you, Carpenter really knows how to get you on the edge of your seat.