Escape from L.A. 1996

Susan Stark, Detroit News: John Carpenter's vision of a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles is a go-for-broke action extravaganza that satirizes the genre at the same time it's exploiting it. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: As amusing as some of its notions may be, none are developed into sustained running jokes. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: Buscemi, Fonda, Robertson, Grier and many others get to make vivid impressions, but of course it's Russell who must carry this swiftly paced picture. As rugged as ever and attractively weathered, he does so with ease. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: A poetic pulp movie made with joy. Read more

Entertainment Weekly: Read more

Christopher Harris, Globe and Mail: Escape from L.A. is too preposterous to be a good film. But in keeping with its title, it does provide a couple of hours of entertaining escapism. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: A significant improvement over the first Snake Plisskin adventure. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: This is the kind of movie Independence Day could have been if it hadn't played it safe. Read more

Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle: Dark, percussive and perversely fun. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Read more

Washington Post: Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Enjoyable in a playful way Read more

Esther Iverem, Washington Post: Tries but fails to be an action-hero flick or even a parody of one. Read more