- Contributed
Laurence Fishburne (left) and Ethan Hawke in 'Assault on Precinct 13'.
Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
ASSAULT ON Precinct 13, starring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne, is a great, hard-hitting movie that will provide a good dose of therapy for the action junkie. Directed by Jean-Francois Richet and based on a John Carpenter film, Assault on Precinct 13 employs a good blend of up-close and personal violence and interesting characters.
As it is based on a re-make, it is clear that originality is not its strength. However, the film excels on its execution of the story. On the night that Precinct 13 is about to shut its door forever, a small group of prisoners seeks refuge from the storm. Unfortunately, several corrupt police officers wish to see one of them dead. The result is that the motley crew of inmates, lawmen, a secretary and a psychiatrist must band together to save their lives.
INTERESTING PLAY OF CHARACTERS
The movie provides, therefore, a very interesting play of characters, who bring more than their fair share of texture to the film. With Gabriel Bryne as Marcus Duvall and Laurence Fishburne as Marion Bishop, one gets the interesting villain types on both sides of the 'good and evil' fence. This makes it more interesting because, let's face it, an action movie often depends on its villain to rise above mediocrity. With Bishop and Duvall, Assault on Precinct 13 vaults above it.
In this case, of course, the hero of the story Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke) is not one of those who is there to simply give the villain something to do. Though he is not the Rambo or Schwarzenegger type who goes blazing into the sunset with cool one-liners dangling from his lips, Jake makes a good hero. His greatest strength is his fallibility. As such he is the perfect Ethan Hawke character, as Hawke is so skilled at getting into the ordinary or the fallible and showing a character that we want to cheer for. Once again, he plays a character who is principled to a fault - though, fortunately, not boringly or overbearingly so.
Marion Bishop plays quite a similar role to Morpheus of The Matrix, though without either morality or the tendency to wax on philosophically. All Fishburne has to do, for the most part, is look deadly and sexy. Bryne's role is also a return to familiar ground and he effortlessly portrays the heartless villain.
EXTREMELY TALENTED
John Leguizamo is another great addition to the cast. He is an extremely talented character actor and this role, of the
politically paranoid junkie, highlights his skill yet again. Leguizamo never has a bit role, because his talent is so large. He is an engagingly delightful part of the film.
The characters are then complemented by the thrilling action of the film. As Duvall unleashes his take no prisoners assault on the near defunct precinct (which is sadly more equipped than too many of our local police stations), the camera lets no drop of blood go wasted. Every drop or spatter is highlighted in enthusiastic detail. By not being overly stylised with the camera work, Assault on Precinct 13 maintains a brutal realism in the violence, which is lacking in much of contemporary action in this post-Matrix era.
The result is that Assault on Precinct 13 is a great thrill ride that provides more than bumpy action to sustain interest. It's a great film for those who like a little more than just action in their action movie.
