I really love the original John Carpenter film, ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13. So when I heard they were remaking it I wasn’t confident of its success. Then when it was given a January release date I was even less hopeful. However, director Jean-François Richet (ALL ABOUT LOVE) has made a more psychological version of the story, but with a lot less iconic cool.
Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke, TRAINING DAY) is a cocky cop who struggles with decisions in his past that leads to the death of his partners. He has been assigned to the rundown precinct 13, which is set for closure. It’s New Year’s Eve and it’s just him, veteran cop Jasper O’Shea (Brian Dennehy, ROMEO + JULIET) and sexoholic secretary Iris Ferry (Drea de Matteo, TV’s SOPRANOS). A snowstorm is raging outside, which leads a prison transport to have to stop for the night at the station. On the bus is legendary drug dealer Marion Bishop (Laurence Fishburne, THE MATRIX), who has been recently arrested for killing a cop who works for Marcus Duvall (Gabriel Byrne, GHOST SHIP).
Other criminals include hopped up former lawyer Beck (John Leguizamo, SUMMER OF SAM), thief Smiley (Ja Rule, SCARY MOVIE 3) and the “I’m innocent” prisoner Anna (Aisha Hinds, LOVE AQUARIUM). Also caught in the storm is police psychologist Alex Sabian (Maria Bello, THE COOLER), who has quite a combative relationship with Jake.
Like the original, the precinct comes under siege and the cops must team with the prisoners to survive. The film has a twist on the original that I liked. Though this version has more character development, it lacks the rawness of the original, which made that film so great. This film is violent, but it’s not blowing away children getting an ice cream cone either. Because this version has big stars in it you can pretty much count on at least two characters surviving. So this lessens the suspense of this version. However, in the end, this is a competent and entertaining remake of a cult classic.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
