Escape From L.A.

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Escape From L.A.

R

1996

1h 41m

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

39%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 2013, the United States president was exiling all citizens who don't conform to his hyper-conservative views to Los Angeles, which became an island after a huge earthquake. But, when the president's daughter nabs the detonator to her dad's apocalyptic weapon and sneaks into L.A. to be with the rebel leader she loves, the government taps commando-turned-crook Snake Plissken to retrieve the young woman. And, if he doesn't succeed quickly, he'll be executed.

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Critics Consensus

Escape from L.A. has its moments, although it certainly suffers in comparison to the cult classic that preceded it.

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Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

53m

3/5

However much rancor there may be in the Plissken character, Russell plays the role with an essentially robust good humor -- a good guy to have on your side when the chips are down.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

57m

2/5

The filmmakers attempt satire, but they don't develop their ideas.

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

1h

2/4

A bluntly amusing send-up of prevailing attitudes toward political and moral correctness.

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Shawn Levy

Oregonian

46m

2/4

"Escape from L.A." obviously isn't meant to be an acting class, granted, but Carpenter has an awful time building an engaging or enjoyable whole regardless of the performances.

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Matthew Soergel

Florida Times-Union

1h

2/5

Carpenter's satisfyingly lurid sets and storytelling -- good fun for a while -- are little substitute for an actual story.

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Jay Stone

Ottawa Citizen

1h

2/5

If you're going to borrow the wasteland violence of Road Warrior, you have to do something more than populate it with Steve Buscemi in a porkpie hat.

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Andrew A.

@rt_andrew May 3

If the first Escape was a weird dive bar, this one is a sleazy strip club

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Hailee G.

@MetalSiren95 May 2

The only redeems quality is Kurt Russel, I have to force myself to ignore the CGI surfing scene

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John C.

@RT18968112 Apr 1

Say What you will, I'm a fan of both Carpenter and Russell having fun. 5 Stars 🤩. Snake is Back!

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Smyles A.

@Smyles Mar 24

This one was pretty cool. Took on a completely different vibe than the new York one... Left me wanting a 3rd movie

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Jason H

@RT50328122 Feb 16

It's fun to see Kurt Russell as Snake again, but this sequel just regurgitates the original. Some of the special effects are laughable.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 28

It might follow the same template as its predecessor, but it's all still awesome!!!

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John Carpenter

Director

Kurt Russell

Snake Plissken

Stacy Keach

Cmdr. Malloy

Steve Buscemi

Map to the Stars Eddie

Cliff Robertson

President

Peter Fonda

Pipeline

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Basketball to the Death

2:12

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Surfboard Car Chase

2:12

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Hang Glider Assault

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Shutting Down the Earth

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - The Surgeon General

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Helicopter Explosion

2:12

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Fun Gun Injection

1:28

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Bangkok Rules

2:13

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Shot and Sheared

2:11

Escape From L.A.: Official Clip - Torpedo Sub to L.A.

2:10

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Synopsis

In 2013, the United States president was exiling all citizens who don't conform to his hyper-conservative views to Los Angeles, which became an island after a huge earthquake. But, when the president's daughter nabs the detonator to her dad's apocalyptic weapon and sneaks into L.A. to be with the rebel leader she loves, the government taps commando-turned-crook Snake Plissken to retrieve the young woman. And, if he doesn't succeed quickly, he'll be executed.

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Screenwriter: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Pictures International, Rysher Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.5M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)