Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) 7/10

Assault on Precinct 13 is yet another one of those films I've always wanted to see but never got around to seeing. Finally this pre-Halloween John Carpenter film crossed my path and it's about damn time.

Assault on Precinct 13 is about a vicious gang hot on the trail of a man that has taken refuge in an old police station thats in the process of moving. Because of the move there's only a few officers there and through coincidence a few prisoners staying the night while enroute to a new prison. Now the station is under attack by dozens of members of the gang.

The premise sounds a bit convoluted but honestly it works pretty well. What you get is a man's last stand against crime and inhumanity. The gang is made up of young tuffs from mulitple races and the men left in the police station are as well. The race card is never played, however, which seems like an obvious mark to hit. I respect the film more for shying away from it though. It makes the drama seem more realistic. In the face of great adversity we are all equal. Anyway the film has some great shoot outs and plenty of tension. The film is very Carpenter-esque with plenty of cool one liners, tough guys, and a simple but effective score created by the man himself.

In the end Assault is a welcome additon to John Carpenter's Cannon, and although it is not his finest hour, it is far from his worst (I'm lookin at you Ghosts of Mars).

Overall - 7/10