Film Introduction"Assault on Precinct 13" is a 2005 action-crime thriller remake of the 1976 movie of the same name, directed by Jean-François Richet and starring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne. The film is focused around a cops sergeant and a criminal kingpin collaborating to make it through a gangster attack on an undermanned Detroit authorities precinct.
Property and CharactersEthan Hawke plays Sergeant Jake Roenick, a guilt-racked, prescription-drug-addicted police officer, haunted by a botched operation due to which his two partners were eliminated. New Year's Eve finds him working a desk job at Precinct 13, an obsolete station about to be closed. Laurence Fishburne stars as Marion Bishop, a well-known cop-killing mob employer in custody, whose transport to a maximum-security prison is halted due to a snowstorm, forcing the officers to hold him at Precinct 13.
Plot DetailsThe plot heightens when a greatly armed mob, led by Marcus Duvall (Gabriel Byrne) and his corrupt officers, surrounded Precinct 13. Marcus intends to eliminate Bishop before he can testify against Duvall's corrupt unit. His assault group surrounds the precinct, cutting off communications and demanding Bishop be handed over. With a skeleton team from different backgrounds, including a secretary (Maria Bello), a criminal psychologist (Brian Dennehy), and two other detained bad guys, Roenick needs to strategize to keep everybody inside alive, which includes hesitantly teaming up with Bishop.
Action-Unfolding and ClimaxThe roles of police officers and wrongdoers blur as they work together, utilizing their wits and resourcefulness to counter the unlimited siege from Duvall's attack group. The film unfolds into an extreme, relentless survival war, peppered with scenes of violent fight, intense negotiation, and fleeting minutes of friendship and understanding amongst the mismatched group. On the other hand, an internal exploration occurs for Roenick as he combats his individual demons, regaining his grit and determination in the middle of the life-threatening crisis.
As the night stretches on, the precinct's defenses falter, and members of their group are killed one by one. In a climactic showdown, Roenick and Bishop handle to eliminate Duvall and his remaining officers. By the time the storm eases off and backup arrives, Roenick, Bishop, and secretary Iris are the only survivors.
Concluding Thoughts"Assault on Precinct 13" is a tense action-crime thriller that admires the timeless '70s action cinema, incorporating tightly choreographed action series with a tale of not likely allies and survival. The 2005 variation, while probably not high on the originality scale, however, provides in regards to suspense, tension, and raw action. Hawke and Fishburne's efficiencies include depth and gravitas to their respective functions, making the film a highly compelling watch.
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