Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

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1. 

   Unit 731

   Pretty neat.
   
   Loved the gritty and dark 70's atmosphere and the Rio Bravo-premise. The plot had its fair share of contrivances and the acting was pretty wooden, but it didn't bother me that much. Solid watch.
   
   The main theme is indeed fucking brilliant. 6 years 4 months ago
2. 

   Zeltaebar

   Armed with better actors and working on a slightly better budget (compared to his debut Dark Star), John Carpenter managed to hit a home run with Assault on Precinct 13, a loose remake of Howard Hawk's Rio Bravo from 1959, on what was only his second attempt at directing a feature movie. The cast is performing well above their usual B-movie fare at the time while Laurie Zimmer makes her debut with aplomb, which leads one to think that Carpenter had a hand in pulling out these excellent performances. The pacing is better than in Dark Star, but atmosphere and tension are still the two main players. The action is very well shot which makes the movie seem more action-fueled than it really is. This is more of a thriller with interesting characters trapped in a difficult, tense and unusual situation. It is gritty, deliciously violent and the John Carpenter-composed soundtrack is really groovy. The script is also very well written (also by Carpenter) with many witty remarks and lines that build character. 5 years 4 months ago
3. 

   tigh66

   I thoroughly believe film history will look back on Carpenter as one of the unsung masters of the the second half of the twentieth century. Here we have his first critically acclaimed work, a work of a director who is already in control of several key elements (directing, score, editing) that will be the hallmark of a remarkable career.
   
   Memorable scenes include the "I wanted vanilla twist" scene that is deservedly one of the greatest shocks in all of film, and an ending

   that has the three heroes standing as the smoke clears, looking at the police, not relieved but realizing they are fixing to go back into a world where a black police lieutenant, a white male convict and a tough-as-nails woman will be unable to come together again.

   
   
   Also, a word must be said for Carpenter's score, which is just as memorable as the iconic "Halloween" score that would be upcoming.
   
   Overall, if you have loved better known Carpenter flicks, watch this early gem and watch a master at work. 6 years 9 months ago

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