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

46%

Tomatometer

119 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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Quentin Curtis

Daily Telegraph (UK)

8m

The movie is soon swamped, along with its reticent hero, in a mire of nihilism.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

1h

2.5/4

An erratic but enjoyable sci-fi action movie with an extremely bent sense of humor.

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Harper Barnes

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

1h

What's remarkable is that "Escape from LA" is actually very funny, as well as being sufficiently exciting.

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Jack Garner

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

36m

3/10

Despite 15 years to come up with new ideas, Escape from L.A. is utterly a retread.

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Simon Rose

Daily Mirror (UK)

39m

2/5

Even ignoring special effects, a confusing and implausible plot, wild coincidences and leaden dialogue, Escape From LA is simply far too similar to the plot of writer/director John Carpenter's cult classic Escape From New York.

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Sean P. Means

Salt Lake Tribune

42m

1.5/4

Much of the movie's laughs are unintentional, from the crude Latino stereotypes to the ludicrous action sequences, like Snake surfing down Wilshire Boulevard with Peter Fonda.

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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)