Escape From New York (1981) - Movie Review

John Carpenter delivered his 2nd action thriller, Escape From New York, and gave birth to one of the most iconic antiheroes in movie history.
#EscapeFromNewYork #JohnCarpenter
Cody J Leach
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[@Qbort.]

Not to be an "um actually" guy but those wire frames of the city were practical effects. I'm only saying this because I assume you'll think it's pretty cool. I know I do!

[@CodyLeachYT]

I saw that the graphing maps that were in his glider plane were practical but I was speaking more on the graphics in the movie intro and such. Very cool regardless though.

[@garrysanderson9957]

James Cameron did some of the matte paintings of New York.

[@jamestoner3900]

@@CodyLeachYT There's a Novelization of Escape from New York and it reveals that 1. Bob Hauk's Estranged Crazy Son is in The New York Prison 2. Reveals The Backstory of how Snake Plissken got his eye patch 3. Reveals that Donald Pleasence's President is the Love Child of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher

[@azhorsley]

There was no CGI used, it was all by reflective tape used on miniature models of NYC. It looks amazing, but no computer generated image was used at all.

[@anthonymango8170]

Love this movie. Espace from New York is so underrated and awesome. Great cast and score and just awesome

[@jacksonholzbergbuckley8773]

You complain Snake Plisskin has no moral center… To me, that’s the whole point of the ending scene, in which Snake delivers the president the wrong tape! Snake asks the president something to the effect of, “A bunch of people died to rescue you… I’m just wondering how *you* felt about it,” and to me it’s implied that had the president’s answer been more satisfactory, Snake would have given him the correct tape. That is, the switcheroo is Snake’s comeuppance for the indifferent forces of the government.

[@foolwriter]

Came here to say the same. That moment is really the linchpin of the character.

[@garrysanderson9957]

The Prez was more bothered about his make up than the people that died to get him out so Snake fucked him over. And the world probably, without that tape. Unless the other world leaders had a sense of humour about playing some Jazz 😁

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

That was always my feeling about that scene, as well.

[@karanvirkooner1993]

Lee Van Cleef appeared in this masterpiece because John Carpenter loved his work with Sergio Leone in short John Carpenter loved The Good The Bad and The Ugly

[@beeking1792]

Who elce is pumped for The Thing Review?!

[@theroamer2355]

Hell yeah!! One of the best! Can’t wait!

[@aaronglover5448]

I don’t think he is. I believe Cody said he wasn’t reviewing movies in this series that he already reviewed

[@theroamer2355]

I don’t think he has actually , I tried looking it up, it isn’t on here . I don’t ever remember once seeing an old video on it either, so fingers crossed 🤞

[@royalwarlord2342]

@@aaronglover5448 i thought he wasnt either but he hasnt reviewed it yet. Should be a good one Im pretty sure he mentioned its one of his most favorite of all time

[@timothymorris157]

I think it’s fair to say that we all are excited about Cody’s review for the remake of The Thing! I still can’t get over the fact that E.T. managed to kick it’s ass at the box office back in 1982.

[@bobmarshall8527]

John Carpenter is my all time favourite director, I grew upon most if not all his movies but for some reason this one didn’t click for me as a kid. It does now though, it’s one of my favourites. Also I agree Snake isn’t really a hero but I don’t think he’s quite a villain either, I would say he’s an anti hero.

[@ATOK_]

It is pretty epic that Both Lee Van Cleef and Donald Pleasence are in this film, they both are such legendary and great actors

[@garydobbs5159]

Such a great century for movies the 80s were. I remember TRON came out around this time. It was a magical time for cinema. I remember see this the going home and getting on my Atari 2600. What a time. I miss it.

[@karanvirkooner1993]

Hideo Kojima loves Escape from New York as does William Gibson who wrote Neuromancer Hideo Kojima even said that Escape from New York is a big influence on his work especially with the Metal Gear series William Gibson even cited Escape from New York as inspiration for his novel Neuromancer

[@karanvirkooner1993]

action classics of 1981 Mad Max 2:The Road Warrior Raiders of The Lost Ark Escape from New York Thief(1981) 4 of them are from the filmmaking legends

[@wanderingbardagain6945]

Great review of this underappreciated flick. Thanks for pointing out something that I must have subconsciously appreciated but never could articulate - the fact that this movie is visually dark, but you never feel like you are missing anything. As you said, there are so many current films that mess this up. "Escape from New York" is a great example of how to do it right. I hadn't seen the movie in years, and when I revisited it recently I had forgotten how bleak and cynical it really was. Surprised me, but in a good way. Loved the intro, and looking forward to the rest of the series. Keep up the great work!

[@garydobbs5159]

I was a kid when this first came out. One of his best. It even had Donald In it and Kirk Russell is always awsome.

[@bryanrizzo9377]

I wasn't even born when this came out. 1989 I was born and the first time I saw this movie I was blown away! It sort of gave me that Die Hard vibe.

[@garydobbs5159]

@@bryanrizzo9377 i looked at it kinda like a Omega Man atmosphere but action instead of zombies. Oh ya you may not know what the omega man is. It was the original version of I am legend( Charleston Heston) good movie if you like classics.

[@keitha.563]

This film was filmed in St Louis 95 percent of it . The bride scene at the end was filmed less than a mile from my Grandma's house. That bridge is still there . The Empty man 2021 was also filmed in St Louis and also used the same bridge.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Now, The Empty Man is a quite fantastic film and oddly underrated but that's probably because not enough people have seen it yet.

[@lordofthereels6790]

I'd love more stories in this world with or without Snake. I always saw this happening in the same universe as Mad Max.

[@Emulous79]

I read that Kurt Russell went to George Miller's house to watch Mad Max prior to making this film. Might have got some ideas from it.

[@statostheman]

I thought when I saw as a kid in the 80s was cool, but 'They live" was his best movie, because it was the first movie for me, to whom made me think.

[@garydobbs5159]

His best role was The Thing then this one. As a Firefigter I loved him in Backdraft even though the movie is very unrealistic.

[@josephsteel5045]

I was actually watching The Fog review when you uploaded this one

[@rushto5476]

It's crazy that I just this movie then later find out that this video is uploaded right after coincidence!

[@darrenmorfoot1052]

When it comes to movie scores.. Christine Not only is the movie not rated highly enough But the score never gets spoken about and that's a crime in my books

[@el_killorcure]

Cody, you sure you saw the movie all the way to the end? Plisken DOES acknowledge all the people who died helping him saving the president, when he asks him how he feels about the fact that a lot of people died to bring him to this supposed super important meeting. Only then when the pres gives him a "whatever" response does he walk away with the recording vital to the meeting. Clearly he was hoping the pres would give a shit about any of them to then give him the tape.

[@jaws2240]

This movie is my top 3 John carpenter movie

[@EpictasticJoshuaYT]

Another awesome Carpenter film that's tons of fun

[@maddroxxklown]

really like the intro to this one, your videos just keep getting better.

[@Merit2397]

While I usually go to Carpenter for the horror "Escape From New York" is my go-to action movie from him. Liked the cast, from Adrienne Barbeau, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence and the rest. Really liked Kurt Russel as Snake Plissken, and him having to navigate the ruined remains of the big apple. As, usual; it remains an ICONIC Carpenter flick.

[@TheTonyahawk]

Awesome movie!!!!! Kurt Russell is one of my favorites and With J C directing this was great. Oh and I am one of the few who love Escape From L.A. as well.

[@ls0254368]

“Hey Chef!” Had me dying 😅😅

[@jamesmorant1406]

My 3rd favorite John Carpenter movie Snake plissken one of the best Antiheros ever hands down Kurt russell best performance 9.5/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

[@stuartdownes5817]

Hey Cody. Loving the John Carpenter reviews. Looking forwards to The Thing review

[@mungflesh199]

Another great review, Cody. This Carpenter series is awesome! I think this might have been the first Carpenter film I saw, when I was 9 and my Dad rented it on BETA. I found it quite scary, because as a kid you don't have that security in knowing being able to second guess how things will turn out. Seeing Snake get trapped in NYC was very tense and the scene with the underground people grabbing the girl and then chasing him was terrifying. These days, I can watch it for what it is. Carpenter did an incredible job of realising his vision on a modest budget. The detail about the derelict town I never knew, so thanks Cody. And yes, the nod to Dean Cundey is very important because he really makes the film look amazing. I saw John Carpenter in concert in London a few years ago and have to say EFNY was perhaps the standout theme. Assault on Precinct 13 worked very well too.

[@ParanormalFire]

Escape From New York is badass!

[@JaaronOP]

When's the original Susperia review coming!? It has a killer score and great horror!

[@richards6098]

Agreed... Argento is up there for me, along with Carpenter. They both have a style that is very instantly recognisable, are masters at building atmosphere, dread and tension, have unique directing styles, along with some awesome kick ass scores/soundtracks that are also always very recognisable.

[@oskar_oskarewicz]

"president of what?" - pure gold

[@walthersorsa4847]

One of my favorite John Carpenter movies. Great review Cody and take care and stay safe 👍.

[@jackbedient]

One of the best movies ever made. Better than Ben-Hur. Better than Shawshank. Better than anything Marvel. Period.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

100%.

[@joecarroll3371]

I've been anticipating this review & I hope you get to review Escape From LA eventually. Really dig the intro & I'm enjoying this review series.

Can't wait for the L. A. review.

[@gsusrocker4ever]

Love your review Cody and couldn't agree more with how great this film is!! I live in StL and am so happy I'm able to visit the filming locations to this movie anytime I want

[@rmarkley79]

Well, now I'm gonna watch Big Trouble in Little China, different flick, but it's Kurt, I mean Snake, err Jack!

[@christermyrberg3661]

My favourite movie of all time 👌

[@deborahpriestley4739]

I have great respect for all the effects and most of all the atmosphere.

[@oskar_oskarewicz]

About The Duke - I think he was not a real villain/boss to be beatten in this flick, the goverment is

[@AnthonyHuxtable]

My favourite John Carpenter movie!

[@jonathanbarker1016]

I love "Escape from New York ".Which is great Kurt Russell movie ,And the dude is most underrated actors in Hollywood .But he one it's coolest with out doubt .And even like the sequel "Escape From L.A. " .But I might the only one that does like ,And the ending is the coolest of all .But they are both underrated movies from two cool dudes ,Who make a kick ass action movie with a hidden point in it .

[@jaws2240]

Other than halloween and the thing

[@anthonyc8963]

Escape from New York has been my favorite movie of all-time since I first saw it in the early 80's as a kid. I think I own every single piece of movie merchandise ever created. As far as Escape from LA, I refuse to acknowledge that film exists. It's a perfect example of sometimes you shouldn't get what you wish for. I always wanted a sequel, then I got that. They basically took the NY script, changed the characters, and made a mockery of everything. The cheese is ridiculous. F that film.

[@44excalibur]

Actually, Escape From New York predated the Stallone-Schwarzenegger era of action films. In 1981, when Escape From New York opened, Arnold Schwarzenegger was still an unknown actor, only having appeared in films like Pumping Iron, Stay Hungry, and The Villain. He wouldn't become a superstar until Conan the Barbarian was released in 1982, a year later. Sylvester Stallone was still mostly known for the Rocky movies, and his only action film was the 1981 crime thriller Nighthawks, with Rutger Hauer and Billy Dee Williams, where Stallone still had a modest build. He wouldn't become an action star until the release of First Blood in 1982. So Kurt Russell really wasn't in competition with either of them when Escape From New York came out in 1981.

[@44excalibur]

@@donlarocque5157 That's because Carpenter had just worked with Kurt Russell on the 1979 TV movie 'Elvis,' which Carpenter directed and which earned Russell an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.

[@44excalibur]

@@donlarocque5157 Yep. Bronson was way too old for the role, and Jones was also a little old for the role as well. They didn't have what Kurt had.

[@hughjass69933]

This is my favorite John Carpenter movie.

[@forever8671]

Isaac Hayes is Truck Turner (blaxploitation movie)

This is my favorite movie with Kurt Russell. Cool videos, dude. 🤘🏻😉

[@Neat0_o]

Bro you could totally play the reboot snake Pliskin in future films.

[@MrMont804]

YES this movie did inspire kojima to make metal gear solid.

[@johnnymeechan7820]

Hey Cody love the review! Keep up the awesome work! Are we going to get a cobra Kai season 5 spoiler talk?

[@TrenchMan93]

There’s only ONE SNAKE. His name is Plissken.

[@travislauderbaugh1507]

Awesome film and once again the score 👌

[@brandonmuse5532]

His nugget of humanity was at the end when he talked to the president about the people that sacrificed there lives for him

[@judels1822]

Im watching this and LA so I can watch your new video :]

[@brandonmuse5532]

Greatness and Awesome Intro!!!!! I love this movie. Snake is the best!!!!!💯💯💯💯💯😎

[@garydobbs5159]

It’s like New York today🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂

[@deborahpriestley4739]

The city wasn't CGI. Pretty sure it was made from wires and models.

[@44excalibur]

I wouldn't call Snake Plissken an "everyday guy." Kurt Russell did work out for Escape From New York, and he was once a minor league baseball player with aspirations of a major league career until an injury sidelined him, so he did have a naturally thick build when it came to his upper body strength. Also, Snake Plissken was by no means an "average guy." He was still a Green Beret and a Special Forces operative, which means he'd be way above the level of an ordinary police officer like John McClane.

[@44excalibur]

@@donlarocque5157 Yeah, I know about Snake's backstory. It's been online for quite a while. World War III being declared and conventional warfare agreed upon by the US, China, and the USSR, mostly over the Siberia-Alaska territory; New York City being attacked by a nerve gas bomb which left the city uninhabitable, hence its conversion to a prison (similar to Alcatraz); the USPF killing Snake's parents; Snake's service on the Siberian front, and his losing his eye during the raid on Leningrad while he was flying the Gullfire; etc.

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

Awesome metal gear opening cody.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Kurt Russell is excellent as Snake 🐍 Plissken. 😀👍

[@tylerlucas3752]

Another fantastic intro from Cody!

[@biguy617]

Both Escape movies are fun to watch.

[@allencampbell3350]

I think you missed something a lot of people miss about Snake's "lack of humanity". At the end, when he's talking to the President as he gets ready for his speech, he says " We did get you out. But a lot of people died in the process. I just wondered how you felt about it.". The President is clearly more concerned about his speech rather than all those lost. That's the catalyst for Snake switching the tapes. He didn't do that because he was just an a-hole, he did it for Brain, Cabbie, Maggie etc. To me, that shows he really did care and felt their losses weighing on him.

[@Johnwick-ed7vo]

I'm not a movie person, I know it is a lot harder today to keep suits out of the creative process, but Carpenter has always had a geart eye and mind for the movie's he took on and yes I know he actually had a range and sometimes it was not as received as it was hoped, but it is my opinion that time and people have proved Mr. Carpenter was right for doing things the way he wanted as much as he could. I'm just sorry it took so long, and possibly burned himself out on the whole movie thing, he has been more active lately but I think if he wants there is another Halloween or escape in him.

[@Radman1889]

I actually saw the sequel LA first before seeing the original, and liked that more than New York. Don't worry. I came around and found the greatness in this. EDIT: Also funny you mention Disney. I believe this AND Fox and the Hound came out in the same week. Quite a contrast between material

[@ChristopherR11]

My favorite movie

[@amarigoodwin3451]

Cody can you tell me the song for your intro it’s badass thank you

[@poppysgtspanky]

Best intro ever man

[@BertonMelch]

Metal Gear?!

[@josephdarkhelmet9494]

Classics- Halloween The Thing Good-- Escape from NewYork Mouth of madness The Fog Christine Village of the damned Assault on precinct 13 Mediocre- but has its charm (campy fun). Prince of darkness Big trouble in Little China Absolute Garbage: Vampire's Escape from LA The ward Ghosts of Mars Black moon Rising

[@historylife4436]

I think it was cool that Snake didn’t have a conscious. I think we want to make a “good” villain, I.e Mike from BB. However these are not good people and only do what they do for their own benefit. It’s more real that a person who can kill over and over wouldn’t have a conscious than actually having one or moral compass.

[@Andrew-Comi]

Appreciate the thorough review, great job, but ..."Action thriller extravaganza" did we watch the same movie? I've watched this as a kid in the 90s... again as a young adult...and now as an adult with a teenage son and I always think it's gonna be cool, but this is a snooze fest that did not age well. Only this movie would cut away from the ring fight to a bunch of boring talking. Did the girl kill more people than snake? I think so.

[@jenh2322]

did a triple take at that thumbnail cody u really look like kurt russell!

[@philliprader6298]

Loved it. I remember that game and sounds because it was Hella hard and I died all the time.

[@shockaswan9388]

This is in my top 5 period

[@MegaSting1981]

What about the film? 😏

[@RedRider763]

Can't wait till u see starman

[@SandroSensei]

When will you review escape form la?

[@ethicaltechnical]

Intro was so much better than the original

[@anthonyc8963]

Your complaint about the "missing" nugget of humanity is 100% invalid. You DO get that at the end. The President says at the end, Anything you want, just name it, and he says, just a moment of your time. We did get you out, a lot of people died in the process, I just want to know how you feel about that? And the President clearly didn't give a shit, and kept looking in the mirror saying, This country appreciates their sacrifices...at that point, Snake decides F him and doesn't hand over the real tape. He was testing him. He DID feel bad about the people that died while helping him, it was the President who didn't. Snake was a mission, he didn't have time to reflect or stop, his life was on the line with a time limit. He could have asked for anything, money, car, etc, but instead his only request was a test, to prove what he already knew about the President, and get a little revenge for ones who didn't make it to the finish line.

[@uraljamaludila6813]

Will you do ranking of John Carpenter movies?

[@osbaldohernandez9174]

And then the second one was just a commercial for sporting goods stores

[@brevonsflicksgames7450]

Badass!!

[@mikesilva3868]

love this movie 😊

[@JSPokemonYT]

I feel like a lot of the former Disney Channel Actors like Zac Efron, Selena Gomez, Zendaya, Kelli Berglund, Jenna Ortega, Laura Marano, Noah Centineo, & Austin Butler can in a way owe their own successful careers to Kurt Russell.

[@Leeduckers78]

😂😂 excellent intro 💯

[@MrBoyYankee]

Still waiting for Escape from Cleveland.

[@wardenmagellan2643]

love this movie, love the sequel and love this channel!!

[@flopbuster7219]

No wig for the full review? Come on!

[@CodyLeachYT]

Dude that eye patch is uncomfortable as hell or I would have haha

[@JohnDonovan1968]

Carpenter's best film! Next to The Thing, Assault on precinct 13th and Christine.

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

My favorite JC film too, it used to be The Thing but when I add it all up this story feels more satisfying to me.

[@harryparsons2750]

Never liked this movie

[@thischarminglovehound2376]

Intro 🔥

[@jonathanyarnall1038]

Cody is very wrong when it comes to Snake plissken he did care about the people who helped him escape with the president. He did not want Maggie to die and even though he had a problem with authority he destroyed the tape at the end after the president gave him a politicians answer about how he felt for the people who died getting him out of Manhattan

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Yes, I always got the impression that if the president had actually shown some feeling about the people who'd died saving him, Snake would've given him the real tape. Obviously, that's just a feeling and I can't prove it, but it feels like that's why that scene is in the film to begin with.

[@paulb1311]

Love it when movie reviewers put effort into the intro. This was badass!😂

[@jaws2240]

It is

[@halphpint7400]

Ha! Came here to say the same thing, that was top tier.

[@yomamma359]

Even pirates are like "Dude really makes that eye patch cool" ☠️

[@gil3424]

My Grandpap loved Escape from New York. Years later, I showed him L.A., and he wasn't much of a fan. Kinda shows how much of a step apart these two movies are. One is very 80's retro, the other is early 90's cheeseball Sci-Fi.

[@MrBeavis84]

A lot of movies in the 90s were cheesy

[@crestfallenbro7486]

Dude! That intro was 🔥!!! Love this film as well. Totally underrated with a pretty good score.

[@AGETheGawdYT]

*Great score

[@Harri927]

This movie is one of my favorite movies of all time. Kurt Russell is iconic as Snake Pliskin. The music is iconic and memorable.

[@snakeplisskin2570]

Thanks, much appreciated, grrrrr.