I kind of like the title revengeance, because it is about time Carpenters neglected sequel came to a forefront. It is a satirical commentary on not only totalitarian bullshit but Carpenter also explores a multicultural , eclectic and really goofy Los Angeles. In Escape From New York you were met with a cold hostile environment. Los Angeles is much more vibrant but in a way more dangerous. I have yet to visit these cities, is it actually true? New York being a colder, but safer place and L.A being diverse and energetic but dangerous at the same time? I probably shouldn´t pass judgment until I experience them for myself.
Making the president much more of a biblical lunatic, might also be something Carpenter was seriously afraid of happening. That the most fanatic fringe of the republicans would get total power and this is the result of it. The whole cold war aspect is gone. It used to be cold fascism and inhuman solutions in the old movie, but now madness without a particular enemy (except domestic "moral" decay) has taken power and all bets are off. The president is crazy!
The plot is basically the same, but I feel the context has shifted. The religious aspect of this totalitarianism is really creeping me out. Cliff Robertson as an eerily prophetic parody of George W Bush, where this character is motivating his decisions using the Bible. The crazy fuck is even willing to sacrifice his own (admittedly blue-eyed and stupid) daughter and would not bullshit about it. He even has a mobile electric chair to execute her on spot!. Jesus,you bastard. You really think Jesus would have signed up for this ,you cooky religious fucker?
Then we have the prison that is L.A. There are some likable characters here. Carpenter uses the token hippie (Peter Fonda) and the celebrity chasing coat-turning Map to the Stars Eddie(Steve Buscemi). Eddie is the typical career chasing idiot who only serves whoever is in charge of the moment. Sounds like some bitter as shit critique of Hollywood from Carpenters side. Fondas character is a lot more sympathetic. He is more an outsider like Snake and Snake has also easier to band with him as a result.
Then we have George Corraface as the Che Guevara looking motherfucker Cuervo Jones who is driving around in the most pimpest dollheadwearing car that I have ever seen. I am sorry , Duke Of New York ( A Number One), but your lanterns on your car is shit compared to this pimpmobile. He also has these deadly Thunderdome- esque events that are so enjoyable in these post apocalyptic movies. At least he is a great dictator, like some Roman ones, knowing how to quell a rebellion. Giving them bloodthirst to calm the masses. Not bad thinking,hombre.
And then we have , Bruce Campbell as the Evil Plastic Surgeon. What a great character in a really creepy scene where fakeness rules. It is a disturbing satire on the obsession of human perfection that is part of the Hollywood myth and a great scene depicting just that.
It feels like I am just scratching the surface on this movie, but it must have been some sort of an angry way of telling what a hard time Carpenter has had making movies in America but in Europe he always seems to have enjoyed greater critical acclaim. Hollywood is here being portrayed as an exclusive kind of world,in the shape of a prison from the outside and where Snake (Carpenters alter ego) is neither a caught in the Hollywood hype, nor is he a puppet for the government. He is despised by both worlds and as a result he terminates the world. Snake as a character motivates that "change only leed to the same thing" or something like that, which probably means that no matter who is in charge it will always stays the same. A very cynical world view, but also a movie that feels truthful to that view. Then the world shuts down and now perhaps Carpenter (Snake) can shape a new future. John Carpenter,please come back. We need you. We need your revolution.
And then we have , Bruce Campbell as the Evil Plastic Surgeon. What a great character in a really creepy scene where fakeness rules. It is a disturbing satire on the obsession of human perfection that is part of the Hollywood myth and a great scene depicting just that.
It feels like I am just scratching the surface on this movie, but it must have been some sort of an angry way of telling what a hard time Carpenter has had making movies in America but in Europe he always seems to have enjoyed greater critical acclaim. Hollywood is here being portrayed as an exclusive kind of world,in the shape of a prison from the outside and where Snake (Carpenters alter ego) is neither a caught in the Hollywood hype, nor is he a puppet for the government. He is despised by both worlds and as a result he terminates the world. Snake as a character motivates that "change only leed to the same thing" or something like that, which probably means that no matter who is in charge it will always stays the same. A very cynical world view, but also a movie that feels truthful to that view. Then the world shuts down and now perhaps Carpenter (Snake) can shape a new future. John Carpenter,please come back. We need you. We need your revolution.
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