Escape From L.A. (1996) - Movie Review

[@CodyLeachYT]

Head to squarespace.com/codyleach to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CODYLEACH

[@craighanson-rc1md]

so hollywood then is same as now same stupid unoriginal recycled movies & remakes of remakes... What is your point..... Fast & the Furiously literally same thing different city.

[@RussianPirate-ff7yt]

I'd call it a guilty pleasure of mine. It's nowhere close to New York or anything but i can have dumb fun with it. Kurt Russell? Ash himself as a crazy surgeon? Steve buscemi chased by Snake riding a fucking tsunami?! It's the definition of mindless fun.

[@LeeBFilms]

A fan at a Q&A told John Carpenter that he thought Escape From LA and Ghost From Mars were disappointing and John Carpenter said “F*ck You”. If you haven’t seen the clip go watch it.

[@chadmcfarland9660]

The soundtrack is a 90s hard rock must have.

[@johnk.2167]

I feel like the tone is perfect in both movies because of the setting. New york has a darker, more grimy feel as a city and that movie reflects that tone. LA has a fun, sunny vibe and escape from la represents that

[@jonwilson2111]

As a Disneyland worker...it's always interesting to me that the hang-glider scene takes place in what is obviously a visual representation to anaheims disneyland

[@rmarkley79]

I'd be fine with Snake Plissken being done, but I need some more Jack Burton!

[@wardenmagellan2643]

Yes!!! Finally you review this film Cody! I love this film and how cheesy it is! Loved the Tsunami Surfing, Basketball and all Pam Greer scenes!

[@SnoopyQ.66]

It's not a great movie but it's a fun film to slump on the couch and sink a couple of beers with. Sometimes, that's all you need on a Saturday afternoon.

[@CodyLeachYT]

True

[@adamcade604]

I think the basic plot of the movie should be just about snake getting captured by the government and they throw him into the LA Prison and he tries to escape while also trying to prevent the main villain from Shutting down the world. Then i think the movie wouldn't feel as much of a rehash as it does!

[@danfarmer3019]

Do you think a John Carpenter Compendium (like the one you did for Nolan) could be possible? I’d love to see you and the other lads break down and discuss these movies together.

[@Gregbaltzer]

There was a talk of a TV show too. This movie was the last time Sugar Ray rocked. 10 Seconds Down was a good song, but they sucked after that. I found the movie to be fun, but I probably haven't watched it in more then a decade. The 90s was a great decade for action movies. It was the last decade before CGI completely took over FX, stunts, and green screened sets.

[@shadowleon659]

I actually enjoyed this movie. Despite it's flaws.

[@anubusx]

Pascal's plan in Johnny English was the same as Escape From New York.

[@37clerks]

I always say the first is better but the second is great fun and arguably imo has the better ending actually

[@MichaelTomsyck]

Cody, what day do you plan to drop your John Carpenter ranking? I’m asking because I’ve watched the majority of Carpenter’s filmography over the last five months to participate in that ranking and would like to know when the culmination of your Carpenter coverage will be released.

[@capitalcitygoofball1987]

If this movie never happened I'd love to see an "old man" Snake return to New York. But alas, that kind of got ruined by EFLA, not to mention civilization would have crumbled after that movie. LA was so bad I actually started thinking maybe JC wasn't as good as he was cracked up to be. Maybe he needed Dean Cundy, Nick Castle, other entities that made him shine.

[@wardenmagellan2643]

Cody please give us your top 10 John Carpenter movie characters before(or after) your ranking… even in a short vid. I really love your character ranking!

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

I feel this film is a bit misunderstood. It's poking fun at the genre and is intentionally tongue in cheek. It's not for everyone but its unapologetically dumb fun by design.

[@kylemendoza8860]

I agree. It's like the sequel to Gremlins. Except for I think that when was even more heavily handed a parody.

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

Yeah Gremlins 2 really was great as well. ​@@kylemendoza8860

[@Layne618]

There's a video of someone taking John Carpenter to task about Escape from L.A. at a Q&A and he responds by both flipping the guy off and giving him the "up yours" gesture. Granted, the guy was being a dick about it but, even though much of the crowd was behind him, you can tell that Carpenter was legitimately pissed off and remained so afterward.

[@kentkatchem]

I hope so ... this movie SUCKED.... I was so heartbroken.. I was so into Kurt Russel in the 80's... this felt like.. oh God... please no... thank God Hateful 8 came out... restored my confidence.. ;)

[@joshperkins5974]

I only saw this movie once. My grandma took me to see it when I was 6 and the only thing I remember is that basketball scene. I also remember leaving the theater and my grandma hating it

[@davsny5]

I remember when this movie was on HBO and as a teenager who loved action movies, I was flipping channels and I caught it right at the tail end of the basketball scene, when Cuervo grabs Utopia and you see her ass in those tight leather shorts. I knew there was at least one thing I liked about this movie. Steve Buschemi, Bruce Campbell, Robert Carradine, Pam Greer and even Al Leong were very nice cameos.

[@JuiceReviews]

Great review as always @CodyLeachYT! BTW that is a SICK Freddy shirt! Where did you get it??

[@IzunaSlap]

The ending reminds me of one of Deus Ex 1's endings

[@danfarmer3019]

The GOAT video game

[@MartyWilson100]

I watched this movie recently and I enjoyed it. Very similar to Escape from New York but it's very 90's in its self-awareness

[@STAUNCHTV]

I had that newspaper clipping on my wall as a kid! Silly movie, but imo its perfect camp...of the time lol

[@areshorror]

Watched this movie for the first time last month. I think this one actually uses the L.A. setting better than did Escape from New York.

[@alexandruarnautuvraciu]

This has more ACTION! IT feels like an Ghost Rider movie! ❤😂

[@joshsleezeYT]

Escape From LA is my sh*t!! I was maybe 7 when I saw it and it was my first introduction to Kurt Russell, Pam Grier, Steve Buscemi AND White Zombie. Heavy heavy nostalgia for this film.

[@azhorsley]

Lockout, starring Guy Pearce, is essentially 'Escape from Earth' the third film in the 'Escape from' trilogy.

[@capitalcitygoofball1987]

So much so that John Carpenter successfully sued Luc Benson for copyright infringement.

[@wscdiesel]

Haha you talking about the movies in the paper made me remember calling up moviephone to hear the run down

[@YaredYahu1212]

Where Solid Snake's biggest inspirations came from. I wonder what a remake would be like in today's world and who would be a good new Snake Plistskin.

[@rossmitchell2134]

Escape from Mexico Robert Rodriguez to direct lol would carpenter direct again

[@wanderingbardagain6945]

I was a teenager when this came out in theaters, and had seen "Escape from New York" a couple times and enjoyed it. I will say that the tsunami scene looked bad back then and looks worse now. I was disappointed in the film for sure. I think Carpenter wanted to make a lighter more fun (dare I say more 90s) version of "New York. I think that was achievable, but that he went a bit too far with the comedic moments. The tone shift is too extreme and Snake contrasts too much with it. The whole film feels off. I revisited the film about 10 years ago with my wife. She had never seen "New York", and this was her first experience with the story. When it was over, she said, "I wanted to like it. But it just never came together". About a month later we revisited "New York" and she felt that was a much better film. I think they could have had focused more on over the top action, and less on the satire, and not copy/pasted the script from the previous film - well we could have had a film that people would remember fondly. Instead we got a movie that most people forget about.

[@seanlaughlin522]

Grew up with the original was told by my stepdad to never watch this movie and I ended up watching in about 6 years ago and I'm not going to lie I have grown to love this movie

[@Alex_DC413]

Another picture of how things have changed. I've seen this one so many times because it was on the movie channels constantly growing up. This and the Fifth Element have to be somewhere in my most watched movies because of that.

[@JohnwayneNOgacy]

Bro your a legend for reviewing “The Collector “

[@Merit2397]

15:10 - 15:17 Cody, I think you're an awesome guy. Like you and I like your channel. With that said, I feel the need to defend John Carpenter for a second and point out that this is the way you feel about most of us Halloween fans who hate Rob Zombie's Halloween II. Everyone has the right to like what they enjoy and while I agree that "Escape From L.A." is not as good as "Escape From New York" that is just our opinion and that doesn't make him wrong.

[@MovieFanZ89]

This is one of my guilty pleasure movies. I actually like it better than the first one

[@kylemendoza8860]

So would the threequel be escaped from Chicago?

[@harryparsons2750]

Nobody is escaping Chicago without getting shot and murdered

[@adamcade604]

I think Robert Englunds said in a 2010 Documentary favourite Freddy Movie is Wes Craven's New Nightmare!

[@Techx4]

I think after watching "Escape From L.A.", I kinda prefer John Carpenter's better camp type movie "Big Trouble In Little China". Definitely made Kurt Russell a hero and it fit with the tone of the movie. I tell ya, Snake Plisskin is a bad ass hero but Jack Burton is that TRUE hero you don't expect him to be.

[@JenMistress]

Finally seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, when we could put this to rest. For me, maybe because believe it or not, but I've never gotten around to seeing New York, but I did enjoy Escape From LA myself. Someday I'm sure I'll find the time to check out New York, and maybe I'll change my mind then, but until then, did like this movie. Anyways, enjoyed this video as well. Thank you, Cody.

[@brajeshsingh2391]

this movie is still a classic for me. Yes the visual effects are tacky but it has 2 of really great scenes in movie history. the basket ball scene and the final scene between Kurt Russell and the US president are all time great scenes.

[@JakeDHS07]

The Carpenter Series Lives!!!!!

[@TIMOTHYBENN-re4pz]

didu do assualt on recint 13

[@Chronic.]

A third entry would be named Escape from Kansas City right?

[@legendarypsychomike4309]

I want a escape from detroit story.

[@kentkatchem]

lol.

[@Mark-G1978]

I would love an escape from something in a video game series.. voiced by Kurt Russell.

[@JadaBlaze01]

I remember when I went to go see this movie on my birthday back in August 1996

[@kentkatchem]

Sorry you had to watch this on your B-Day... I did too at the theater... Ugh....

[@JadaBlaze01]

@@kentkatchem It was somewhat tolerable I left the movie and didn’t remember anything that happened in that movie except Kurt Russell’s eye patch

[@BMovieTheater]

Loved this movie so much as a kid to! Watched it so many times but haven't watched it much as an adult either lol

[@christermyrberg3661]

So are you reviewing his TV movies too?

[@willriker943]

I really like Kurt Russell if he's in it I love it I've watched him since the Disney days and he did a a movie for them computer wore tenne shoes.

[@andrewsreed03]

I think this movie has some good moments but not enough to rewatch it like I do the original.

[@KParks]

Can't wait for you to finish carpenter's work he's one of my favorites. Please review Vampires Kiss that movie with your review style would be great! 👍

[@mikedearing7736]

It’s weird, I saw this one before I saw escape from New York and I actually prefer this one

[@TheTonyahawk]

I like Escape From L.A. not as good as Escape From New York but I like it. Living in L.A. though I would like it if more people escaped from here.

[@PrisonerofChrist81]

Lmao. Let us get a 3rd one called "Escape from Alcatraz" with Snake Plissken

[@Chi_The_Cat_0]

I feel like we got those sequels in the METAL GEAR SOLID, franchise. It's close enough.

[@gideonwaxfarb]

I agree with John that LA is the better movie, but I've always appreciated movies that don't take themselves too seriously. I saw LA first, and then NY. (I didn't know NY existed when I saw LA in the theater.) I kind of felt like you did about it just being a remake, but in reverse. I should've watched them in their proper order. I probably would've liked LA even more, but also appreciated NY more. Ah well, such is life.

[@VANJAKKOSTJUK]

I love it. My #1 guilty pleasure.

[@DNOstalgia]

Ooooh Double Toasted this recently 😊❤

[@Rob-sk1im]

It's like Carpenter went into this one intentionally trying to mock how badass the first film was. Russell co-wrote the script, so he's partially to blame. KR could still pull off playing Snake.

[@TheRealNerdYT06]

NEW CODY VID!!!! WOOHOO 🙌🏻

[@matrixandraia]

I saw Escape from LA in the theater - one of my friends was a fan of Escape from New York and he didn't need to convince me too hard to see LA, as I'm a huge fan of Halloween 1978. I thought LA was all right at the time - I saw NY like a year later and my opinion of LA declined sharply, so yeah, no John, NY is still the better movie. =)

[@zacharia827]

Intro mic drop! 😂

[@kentkatchem]

I LOVE Escape from New York... wore out the VHS tape back in the 80's... L.A.??? HATED THAT MOVIE!!! EVERY SEC. ABOUT IT! ... talk about heart-broken... I loved Plisken so much... felt like I was watching someone completely diff...

[@NeoConnor1]

I was waiting for this one, Cody. I remember this film when I was a kid. I thought it looked like the coolest movie. I knew Kurt Russell from Tombstone, my mom's favorite movie. All throughout the marketing, the tagline was 'Snake is back.' And I just thought: 'Awesome. Who's Snake?' I went to see another film that year(I want to say it was Alaska with Charleston Heston), and Escape from L.A. was the other movie playing on the other screen at the now defunct Madison Mall theater in my hometown of Poplar Bluff, MO. I never forgot it. 5 years later, I came across the title in a movie catalog, and in the description of the film I read it said the film was a sequel to Escape from New York, which I had never heard of. Finally, that tag line made sense. Another 6 years later, my stepdad bought both films from Walmart and I watched both of them. As my introduction to John Carpenter at 18, I fell in love with both films and the Snake character. Kurt Russell became one of my favorite actors, Carpenter became a director I was obsessed with, spending the better part of 2009 watching as many of his films I could find, and I introduced them to my best friend, who loved them too. Now, that I am older, I still love EFNY, but I do consider EFLA to be a bit forced and lacking great effects. But I am sorry, I still love this movie. You know those movies where you know the film isn't great cinema, but you love it anyway because it's just so much dang fun? That's Escape from L.A. for me. I love the ending, I quote Snake all the time, I watch the trailer all the time: it's just awesome for me. While the movie is very similar to the original, I think the overall vibe and feel is what makes it worth checking out. I read somewhere that Carpenter was trying to make a film that was trying to capture what LA feels like. Whereas New York is dark, urban and a bit scary, LA is more relaxed, silly and full of personality. I can understand why Carpenter prefers this movie to the original. The commentary is better. Instead of the President just being a d##k, he is a religious fanatic. And as someone who is religious, but was raised by a religious fanatic, it's so satisfying seeing Snake get one over on him in the end. The action scenes are better in LA too. More stylish and cool, although the effects are a bit shoddy. Bottom line: I still love this film, even if I know it's not a great movie. It's fun, Snake helped shape me as a person and my feelings on government, and I would love another film with Snake. I always saw Riddick from the Riddick movies as a modern day successor to Snake and think that would make a cool crossover. Vin and Kurt have already worked together before. Also, I thought Englund said his favorite Freddy performance was New Nightmare. Huh. I don't like Dream Child myself, but whatever works for him. Good video, Cody. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Vampires and Ghosts of Mars.

[@theofficialdtb8859]

Hey Cody, I don't know if you'll see this but if you do, I have a question. I also have children and want to start a KZbin channel. How do you balance working on your channel as well as making time for family?

[@Williamabgerny]

Rewatched this few months back let's just say I now have more taste than I did at 17 ha Great review Cody

[@markshadows3667]

I can't remember being more disappointed in a sequel, except maybe Alien 3. I was pretty much obsessed with Escaoe from New York as a little kid. I even had the board game! I would make my parents rent the vhs tape a couple times a week. It's my second favorite John Carpenter film. But the sequel just did not live up to it. I think there are some good ideas there but for a long time, I actively hated this movie..

[@Vindicator18]

I like both New York and L.A., and I see L.A. more a parody of Hollywood more than anything. But, if you are after a spiritual 3rd Escape movie, check out Lockout, with Guy Pearce. That felt so much like a 3rd Escape movie that John Carpenter sued them over it.

[@montybruce6079]

Not my favorite by carpenter. However I like watching it for the basketball shot and ending alone

[@thebrentrobinsonshow2882]

This was a decent movie. Great review.

[@ryurc3033]

When they get to the surgeons, if you look really closely, you can see 2024 Kelly and Sharon Osbourne I was 13 first time i saw it. For real though, we know its not Shakespeare or Avatar.....

[@JonnyAugz]

Kurt Russell would have been a perfect Solid Snake.

[@matt1372]

Same AWESOME shit!

[@betorockmetal]

We need a Escape from San Francisco now....

[@MadGeorgeProductions]

I've always seen this as an ironic parody of the original film. I think it works (minus rhe CGI) although i still prefer the original.

[@Greycatuk]

I do wonder if certain Republicans saw this movie and thought 'hmm...' at the President.

[@johnherald5691]

THIS MOVIE ROCKS. I MIGHT LIKE IT MORE THAN THE FIRST. FOR GOD SAKES DONT DO IT SNAKE. THE NAMES PLISKIN

[@TheLongestTake]

John Carpenter is an all time fav but yeah this movie was mid lol. Especially following up the fantastic Escape from NY

[@austinmorales6260]

I unapologetically love this movie. I know it has many problems. But I still love it!!

[@mychunkyjordi7585]

I just had to laugh at this film watching it at work. The CGI was terrible 🤣🤣😊🐾👍👍👋

[@kylegrover9181]

Ive always liked this one better than New York.

[@taylorpack7705]

Idk I feel besides the dialogue this was the more enjoyable movie. I wish they did a part 3.

[@nymarine4587]

I liked this movie but I loved escape from NY A NUMBA 1!!!

[@aaronkindig8016]

The CGI was dogshit when the trailers came out in 96"

[@ActionJackson1982]

More of the same isn’t a bad thing to me, I hate when the formula is changed for sequels.

[@jamestoner3900]

I prefer Escape from New York and will until I die, this film was basically a carbon copy of the original beloved first film This Films big bad was just plain weak, The Duke was far more better as a villain, if we ever do get a third Snake Plissken film why not have Kurt Russell's Son Wyatt Russell (U S Agent from MCU's Falcon and The Winter Soldier) to play his dad's role

[@mrfanta7841]

Please watch The void and House of the devil!

[@Aus10-1]

Lol I used to love this movie

[@Greycatuk]

I thought for your next video - once I noticed, I couldn't unsee how misogynistic Vampires is. Was JC going through another divorce? Kind of ruined it for me (the book is excellent).

[@AmericanGadfly]

Not one metal gear joke? Smh my head

[@CodyLeachYT]

I think I did all I could with that in my Escape From New York review

[@AmericanGadfly]

@@CodyLeachYT probably lol

[@jackiebartolo235]

I love this movie 🍿 just a dumb fun action flick

[@joeontherun]

if your a kid watch LA if your an adult New York

[@jaystanley9363]

Awesome soundtrack

[@BraxtonWages]

The CGI never looked good in this movie. I remember as a kid thinking that lol

[@k-slay4407]

Robert Englund is trippin big time.😂🤣🤣🤣

[@Horrormaster13]

The Ending of Escape from L.A. is f*cking awesome! Too bad that the rest of the movie sucks.

[@arianshahrokh1439]

I never hated this movie that much, just make sure you don’t watch it back to back with escape from NY