Forgettable action romp

Assault on Precinct 13 is the contemporary remake of John Carpenter's 1976 action thriller of the same name. However, this is an uncommon instance of a remake that circumvents the customary cliché of being an identical duplicate of the original. This is austerely a remake by name and raw concept only; merely inhibiting an insignificant number of scenes perceptibly influenced by Carpenter's 1976 film. This remake is solid in terms of the attractive production values, the impressive visual style adapted by French director Jean-Francois Richet, the booming sound effects, the noisy score and the exciting action. Below the remarkably good-looking film, the script leaves much to be desired. Assault on Precinct 13 expands upon the original film in terms of plot points and character development; ultimately providing an extra added layer of disbelief at every turn. Instead of the adept, engaging character presented in the original we are shown a cluster of dumb characters implementing stupendous acts and delivering contrived dialogue.

The lone aspect of the film's plot that mirrors the original is the concept of a siege on a police precinct that is due to close its doors very soon. Aside from that, the plot is dissimilar. On a snowy New Years Eve, a skeleton crew are manning police precinct 13. Guilt-ridden former undercover narc Jake Roenick (Hawke) is undertaking a boring desk job at the precinct until the official closing. Due to a howling snow storm unfolding outside, a prison bus transporting a number of criminals is forced to divert to the station for the night. Among them is renowned recently arrested crime kingpin Marion Bishop (Fishburne). Isolated by the relentless blizzard, and cut off from communication with the outside world, the precinct is rapidly bordered by well-armed hostile forces. Roenick, burned-out and still filled with remorse, digs deep for his long-lost heroism and pride to hold the fort until dawn.

The creative team behind Assault on Precinct 13 had the right idea of altering aspects originally present in Carpenter's original. As a result, this is a re-imagining with potential. With such potential, the filmmakers could have created a superior movie. However the law of Hollywood remakes is that script flaws befall the rest of the production. In this case, almost every move made by the characters is stupid, illogical and unrealistic. In a claustrophobic situation such as this, no characters are ever granted half a brain. Despite the intense action and a few interesting moments, the script flaws can't be overlooked. Characters execute the most predictable acts in the book. Of course the cons aren't going to follow orders...that would be too unconventional for an action movie! Sticking to the original in that aspect would have been a benefit. There are also the glaring errors in logic. For example, people dismissing gunshots as fireworks...when fireworks can't even be set off in the blizzard?! There are several more instances, but I'd be spoiling a few mildly interesting scenes. It's also interesting to note that the original showed brutality to every character without a hint of sentimentality. In this remake, more characters survive and hence the film is less brutal.

French director Richet is unable to recapture the sense of claustrophobia and confinement. He's competent in filming solid action scenes but there isn't any sense of being cut off from the world as much as the feeling instilled by Carpenter. One of the film's redeeming features is the cast. Ethan Hawke is credible in the title role. Laurence Fishburne has always possessed the skill to be commanding and authoritative whenever appearing on the screen. He again flexes his great skill here. Gabriel Byrne is a sinister villain who's unfortunately underused and underdeveloped. Other characters include blatant racial stereotypes in the black characters, and a few despicably shown people for the cons.

Overall, Assault on Precinct 13 is a wasted opportunity. Instead of intelligence in its script, the filmmakers seemingly aimed to create solid and intense action scenes infused with incredible sound effects that will give your speakers a workout. Impressive considering the $20 million budget the filmmakers had to stretch. But this action is futile if there isn't anything behind it...in this case there are endless clichés, predictable events and contrived dialogue...not to mention flaws in geography and logic. It's violent, riveting, sometimes exciting and competently made, but ultimately very stupid!

5.2/10