A modern interpretation of an old western classic (Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo), it is a tense and tightly movie directed by the master of horror John Carpenter. It uses the old classic formula of a siege film done with a really small budget and shot in a relatively small amount of time (20 days I believe).
This re-make is relocated to modern 1970s LA and the action is set primarily in a soon to be abandoned police precinct. The narrative is very simplistic but very effective. The screenplay is so efficient no action is played out without pushing the narrative further. Every little detail placed within the film allows the film to flow without any unnecessary dialogue.
Napoleon Wilson (Darwin Joston)
The film starts off with the mysterious and menacing street gang wandering through an alleyway where they are ambushed by the police and are shot and killed. The remaining gang members forge a blood pact and aim to take no prisoners for the consequences of the slaying of their fellow gang members. The whole set up is done very quickly thereafter. We are introduced to the hero, Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker) and the archetypal anti-hero Napoleon Wilson (played with glee by the late Darwin Joston) in the first 10 minutes. Other characters come on screen and within minutes we can follow their preordain destiny. The father and daughter's path is on a collision course with the gang and the near abandoned police station is the setting for the unrelenting siege by the gang ready to kill any and all who get in their way.
The build up to it, is very expertly handled and the emotionless and remorseless gang move with such determination and purpose they become almost inhuman in their actions. Almost zombie like. There is hardly any dialogue and when they are shot and killed they barely make a sound and die lifelessly. It bears a remarkable similarity to The Night Of The Living Dead, what with both having black actors as their main leads and both being about the struggle and their ability to handle the unrelenting siege from the masses..
Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker)
It is without a doubt a remarkable achievement from John Carpenter and his gift as a composer is apparent (as with majority of his features) and is very effective at conveying a sense of dread and suspense. You can always tell if it's a John Carpenter movie just by listening to the atmospheric ambiance and his adept nature in efficient story telling. The acting isn't always great but what the film lacks in dramatic acting it makes up for suspenseful action. Always enjoyable to watch and one of Quentin Taratino's favourite films (but that shouldn't be the only reason to watch it). Search it out and you will not be disappointed. Oh and please try not to confuse this with the recent re-make starring Ethan Hunt and Laurence Fishburne, even though its has a bigger budget and bigger stars doesn't make it a better film... I'll just leave you this comment....Got a smoke...?
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