Escape From New York
Moderators: sgt.null, dANdeLION
Escape From New York
Even though the film hasn't aged as well as many other films of the era, Carpenter's EFNY is an iconic film with an iconic main character.
The film is being remade with Gerald "300" Butler in the Snake Plissken role, with Len "Live Free or Die Hard" Wiesman directing. This sucks. Butler is completely wrong for the role (Plissken is an American, dammit!), and while I really enjoyed LFoDH, I question whether or not Wiseman's got the chops to handle Snake's story.
But my main concern is that EFNY isn't screaming for a remake (anymore than the rest of Carpenter's repertoire is; The Thing is next, Halloween comes out in a month). Sure the film is dated, but it still works very effectively as both an action movie and as social commentary.
The film is being remade with Gerald "300" Butler in the Snake Plissken role, with Len "Live Free or Die Hard" Wiesman directing. This sucks. Butler is completely wrong for the role (Plissken is an American, dammit!), and while I really enjoyed LFoDH, I question whether or not Wiseman's got the chops to handle Snake's story.
But my main concern is that EFNY isn't screaming for a remake (anymore than the rest of Carpenter's repertoire is; The Thing is next, Halloween comes out in a month). Sure the film is dated, but it still works very effectively as both an action movie and as social commentary.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
See, now I could see a remake of Capricorn One if it was done right.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
- aTOMiC
- Lord
- Posts: 24980
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:48 am
- Location: Tampa, Florida
- Has thanked: 19 times
- Been thanked: 14 times
- Contact:
Been a fan of EFNY since it came out. I actually own EFLA. The sequel comes off like a clumsy remake in it's own right but I'm the forgiving sort.
Kurt Russel's Snake Plissken is indeed iconic. Replacing Russel is like replacing Mark Hammil in Star Wars or doing a remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark...how the hell do you replace Harrison Ford? EFNY doesn't need to be remade except to try to make a few more bucks for the studio. I'd like to see EFNY completely digitally remastered and maybe (to please naysayers about the look of the film) clean up the graphics and special effects. I suppose Carpenter's soundtrack also sounds pretty early 80's synth but I can't imagine dumping it for a more contemporary score.
Having said all that I'm certain I'll see the remake.
I'm already a fan of the story. Gerard Butler is great. Don't know about Wiesman but I guess I'll find out since no studio has ever asked me if I thought what they had in mind was a good idea.
Kurt Russel's Snake Plissken is indeed iconic. Replacing Russel is like replacing Mark Hammil in Star Wars or doing a remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark...how the hell do you replace Harrison Ford? EFNY doesn't need to be remade except to try to make a few more bucks for the studio. I'd like to see EFNY completely digitally remastered and maybe (to please naysayers about the look of the film) clean up the graphics and special effects. I suppose Carpenter's soundtrack also sounds pretty early 80's synth but I can't imagine dumping it for a more contemporary score.
Having said all that I'm certain I'll see the remake.
I'm already a fan of the story. Gerard Butler is great. Don't know about Wiesman but I guess I'll find out since no studio has ever asked me if I thought what they had in mind was a good idea.
"If you can't tell the difference, what difference does it make?"

"There is tic and toc in atomic" - Neil Peart
I'm generally open to remakes, but things do seem to be getting a little silly, especially in regards to Carpenter. At this rate, I wonder if he'll become the most re-made/re-interpreted filmmaker in history.
I agree with aTOMiC, in that rather than spending mega millions on a remake, wouldn't it be nice if the studio could just "touch up" the original and strike a new 35 mm print for theatrical re-release? This has been done numerous times for other "classic" films, so why not EFNY? It would please fans of the film, and it would become a kind of "event" movie that might attract new people who would otherwise overlook it in a DVD rental store.
I agree with aTOMiC, in that rather than spending mega millions on a remake, wouldn't it be nice if the studio could just "touch up" the original and strike a new 35 mm print for theatrical re-release? This has been done numerous times for other "classic" films, so why not EFNY? It would please fans of the film, and it would become a kind of "event" movie that might attract new people who would otherwise overlook it in a DVD rental store.
- Cagliostro
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 9360
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:39 pm
- Location: Colorado
Y'know, I quite liked the sequel. I was so nervous about it sucking, and once it started, I thought that it was. Then I started to get the joke. I don't think it was a remake of the first one, as they put a lot more SATIRE in it than they did the original. It came off goofy, and y'know...it worked for me. It didn't feel at all like the original, and that bummed me out at first, as the first had such mood to it. But it seemed for the second that they were never going to be able to top it, so they just went and had fun with it. The last scene of the movie is still a classic scene in my book, and really challenged my idea of the "benefit" of technology. I loved it. Yeah...take us back to the time before technology!null wrote:the sequel wasn't all that good either. some films get it right the first time. EFNY is one such film. Russell was perfect so why mess with it? I feel the same about Capricorn One. dated but still worth watching.
This coming from a guy who works in the technology industry. Then again, maybe that shouldn't be a surprise.

Life is a waste of time
Time is a waste of life
So get wasted all of the time
And you'll have the time of your life
I think we should give it a chance. You never know, they might give it a new spin or add a further layer of social commentary(they'll most likely try and fit the threat of global warming in to it somewhere
). I'm also a fan of Gerald Butler. Not sure why you don't believe he wont be able to pull of an american accent, Cail.

It'd take you a long time to blow up or shoot all the sheep in this country, but one diseased banana...could kill 'em all.
I didn't even know sheep ate bananas.
I didn't even know sheep ate bananas.
Snake's American, Butler isn't. Other than his ability to scream, "I asked for sugar, THIS IS SPLENDAAAAHHHH!", he's completely underwhelming.
Y'know, Shia Lebouf (or however you spell that goober's name) would make a fine Atticus Finch....
Y'know, Shia Lebouf (or however you spell that goober's name) would make a fine Atticus Finch....
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
- A Gunslinger
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 8890
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Southern WI (Madison area)
<Ahem>
Kurt Russell is the coolest mofo on the entire planet.
Kurt Russell is the coolest mofo on the entire planet.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
- A Gunslinger
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 8890
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Southern WI (Madison area)
There's a reason you've never seen the two of them together in a TV show or film.
The world couldn't handle it.
Cooler than the back side of Fonzie's pillow.
The world couldn't handle it.
Cooler than the back side of Fonzie's pillow.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
- A Gunslinger
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 8890
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Southern WI (Madison area)
- sgt.null
- Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
- Posts: 48407
- Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
- Location: Brazoria, Texas
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 10 times
Elliott Gould ... Robert CaulfieldCail wrote:See, now I could see a remake of Capricorn One if it was done right.
James Brolin ... Col. Charles Brubaker
Brenda Vaccaro ... Kay Brubaker
Sam Waterston ... Lt. Col. Peter Willis
O.J. Simpson ... Cmdr. John Walker
Hal Holbrook ... Dr. James Kelloway
Karen Black ... Judy Drinkwater
Telly Savalas ... Albain
David Doyle ... Walter Loughlin
James Sikking ... Control Room man
hard to beat that cast.
- Avatar
- Immanentizing The Eschaton
- Posts: 62042
- Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:17 am
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Has thanked: 26 times
- Been thanked: 32 times
- Contact:
Or just make an original movie?Matrixman wrote:...rather than spending mega millions on a remake, wouldn't it be nice if the studio could just "touch up" the original...
I like 'em both, NY and LA. In fact, I think I saw LA first, so that was the Plissken movie for me.
I can't believe they're making a remake myself...the character should be one of the untouchables. And the movie isn't that old. Damn, they're scraping the barrel obviously.
--A