Assault on Precinct 13

(source: tmdb.org)

Many critics have valid arguments when they lambaste modern Hollywood for the increasingly annoying practice of remaking any successful film of the past. However, in the case of Assault on Precinct 13, Jean-François Richet's 2005 version of John Carpenter's 1976 cult classic, these arguments aren't so strong, because the original Assault was itself a remake of Howard Hawks' 1959 western Rio Bravo. Richet's film is, therefore, an original variation of a theme much older than most of the cinema treasure being so savagely and ineffectively plundered by contemporary studios.

The plot is set in Detroit on New Year's Eve. Precint 13, the oldest such police building in the city, is about to be closed down the next day, and it is manned only by burned-down Sergeant Jake Fornick (played by Ethan Hawke), veteran policeman Jasper (played by Brian Dennehy), and foul-mouthed secretary Iris (played by Drea de Matteo). Their routine is interrupted when bad weather forces prison bus to make detour and policemen now have to deal with prisoners, including Bishop (played by Laurence Fishburne), gangster who killed undercover police officer. Soon after that phone lines are down, cell phones are jammed, and masked gunmen attack the precinct. At first, Fornick believes that the assailants are Bishop's men who want to set their boss free, but it turns out that the assailants' leader is Maurice Duval (played by Gabriel Byrne), corrupt leader of elite police unit who worries that Bishop's trial would expose him and his men. Bishop must die, together with everyone in the precinct. This forces Fornick to make difficult decisions and make temporary alliances with despised criminals in order to ensure mutual survival.

Equipped with a bigger budget, Richet easily succeeded in making his version of Assault on Precinct 13 look more spectacular than Carpenter's. The action scenes are more intense, and the violence is more graphic. The cast is made of stars and plenty of recognisable faces, including rapper JA Rule. However, the large budget also made the film less interesting – with so many stars and their position within the cast list, it was easy to predict what would happen to each of the characters. James De Monaco's script also brought too many character developments compared with Carpenter's ascetic original. Too often, this dragged the film’s plot, especially in the case of the police psychologist, played by Maria Bello. On the other hand, this also provided for some fine acting, for which good examples could be found in John Leguizamo and his character of drugged-out ranting prisoner. Gabriel Byrne, on the other hand, doesn't provide anything in his role of corrupt policeman, who is less convincing villain than army of zombie-like gang bangers in Carpenter's version.

James De Monaco's script also represents disappointment because it, unlike Carpenter's original, has some serious plot holes – too many important things in this film happen by accident, while some scenes defy continuity. Subversive politics of the original and Carpenter's near-dystopic comment on 1970s nihilism is replaced by cheap formula and Hollywood "political correctness." Yet, despite all those flaws and unavoidable disappointments for any fan of the original Assault on Precinct 13, Richet's film provides more than enough entertainment in its 109 minutes and deserves recommendation.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)

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It is really hard to pull off a remake of a John Carpenter film but the 2005 version of "Assault On Precinct 13" did a commendable job. Jean-Francois Richet directed this version where a drug sting gone haywire leads Sgt. Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke) to end up being a desk cop who is dependent upon alcohol and painkillers. At his Detroit police station which is being shut down permanently on New Years Eve, the few employees left in the building are expecting a quiet evening. Iris Ferry (Drea de Matteo), who was the secretary at the precinct, is trying to keep spirits up with some music, actual spirits and decorations. Meanwhile, a bad snow storm is happening outside.

Laurence Fishburne portrays Marion Bishop, a crime boss whose life is threatened by an undercover police officer during a church service. Fishburne gets the upper hand on the cop but is caught outside and sent to prison. Bishop is being transferred to his new home behind bars along with a counterfeiter, a petty thief and an addict when the storm becomes too bad for the journey to continue. Their bus has to be detoured to the station that is being shutdown much to the dismay of Roenick and Sgt. Jasper O'Shea (Brian Dennehy). Still dealing with the death of members of his team from the previously mentioned drug operation, Roenick is in a very depressed state who is visited by his assigned shrink Dr. Alex Sabian (Maria Bello) on this day as well.

The station becomes under attack by masked men who are believed to be working for Bishop. Much to their surprise, they learn that the precinct is under attack by police officers who want Bishop dead so that he doesn't expose their dealings with the popular kingpin. In an attempt to survive the massacre that is about to happen, the officers are going to need their prisoners to pitch in. John Leguizamo does an exceptional job as Beck, an addict who once practiced law. However, Smiley (Ja Rule) does eventually convince him to make a break for it which doesn't end well . There is plenty of bloodshed and carnage!

Officer Kevin Capra (Matt Craven) falsely becomes under suspicion of communicating with their attackers led by Capt. Marcus Duvall (Gabriel Byrne). However, there is a definite traitor among their ranks. It is interesting that it took most of the movie before an officer remembered that there was a utility tunnel that ran under the station. This bit of info proved to lead to more deaths however. The film is an interesting study between the trust and mistrust of people on the opposite side of the law. Is it really possible for them to work together for a common cause? Was Roenick missing action so much that an attack like this is what he needed to get back to being his old self? I love that at the end of the film Iris tells Roenick that he was "a whole different kind of badass last night.

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