John Carpenter's gritty scenario of the near future is a bit dated now but is still an entertaining romp lead by action star Kurt Russell as Snake Pliskin. Costarring along with Russell is Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau, Ernest Borgnine, Issac Hayes, and Season Hubley (Russell's wife before Goldie) in a cameo role. Playing the President is Donald Pleasence, who you'll remember from the Halloween films.

In the near future (1997?), the crime rate has gone up 400% and the US has made New York City a prison, where the inhabitants rule for themselves and are guarded by the United States Police Force. The President's plane, enroute to a peace keeping meeting, is hijacked and crashes on the island, where the President is kidnapped by the Duke(Issac Hayes). Duke plans on exchanging the President for freedom. Enter Snake-a decorated veteran who robbed the National Armory, and is about to be placed on the island. The prison administrator (Lee Van Cleef) persuades Snake to go in after the President in exchange for a full pardon. So Snake won't run, to time capsules have been placed in his neck arteries that will exploded unless he returns within a certain time with the President. Once Snake glides in, he is confronted with the "Crazies", who live in the sewers and subways. He is rescued by "Cabbie". Ernest Borgnine, who knows everyone and takes Snake Pliskin to meet with Brain, who works for the Duke. The action is non-stop and brutal as we see the elaborate sets that depict New York City landmarks totally trashed by its prison inhabitants. A Chock Full Of Nuts restaurant is a meeting place for Hubley and Russell for one short memorable scene, the library is where Brain hangs out and digs for oil, and Broadway is a gauntlet, where heads are placed on parking meters. The time element provides suspense to the plot, as Snake races to save the President's and his own life. Russell is the totally cynical character, who has faith in no one. Borgnine is the friendly, outgoing helper, and Stanton and Barbeau are a tough, respectful team, out to find their own freedom.

Picture-The 16X9 transfer is is very good shape for a film this old. Colors are well saturated and very few flaws or dust specks were noticed. Most of the scenes are night shots which makes the lighting an important element and the contrast is well adjusted. Very few artifacts were observed during the viewing. Sound-Although only Dolby Surround, the mix of deep bass synthesizer music, heard throughout the film, and partially composed by Carpenter is rich and full spectrum. A few front channel sound shifts were a bit distracting as the sound went from a two channel single output to left-right separation midway through a scene. However, most of the soundtrack sounded full and rich. Extras-A one minute, not to clean trailer is provided and that's all. Disappointing. Summary-A good action flick-a little tame by today's standards but still full of thrills. The futuristic scenario, with the well designed sets are believable. Good performances by Russell and Stanton highlight the film. Years later, Russell reprises his character role in Escape from LA, which was a bit more satiric in nature. A good disc technically, it lacks any extras making it a bare bones DVD.

A one minute, not to clean trailer is provided and that's all. Disappointing. Summary-A good action

A good action flick-a little tame by today's standards but still full of thrills. The futuristic scenario, with the well designed sets are believable. Good performances by Russell and Stanton highlight the film. Years later, Russell reprises his character role in Escape from LA, which was a bit more satiric in nature. A good disc technically, it lacks any extras making it a bare bones DVD.