Review by Gary Tooze

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Description: Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne lead an all-star cast including John Leguizamo, Ja Rule and Drea de Matteo in the explosive action-packed thriller Assault on Precinct 13. Run-down Precinct 13 is about to close its doors forever. But everything changes when some of Detroit's most lethal prisoners arrive. Soon the only thing more dangerous than the criminals on the inside is the rogue gang on the outside. To survive the night two men on opposite sides of the law will have to work together to battle an enemy who doesn't follow the code of cop or criminal. Directed by Jean-Francois Richet.

 

 

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Extras :

For those who owned the HD-DVD or the original DVD - there doesn't appear to be anything new at all. There are 20 minutes on 4 production, surface, featurettes - all in SD as are all video extras. Next is a slightly more in-depth piece running a dozen minutes entitled - Caught in the Crosshairs: Behind the Scenes on Assault on Precinct 13. These have various cast and crew giving soundbytes. There are six deleted scenes and listed last in the menu is the decent audio commentary with director Richet, screenwriter James Demonaco and producer Jeffrey Silver. Despite the heavy French accent of the director it wasn't hard deciphering the details explored by all participants. There was some passion about this production and I was keen to find out new details. Of all the supplements - this is the one to explore.

BOTTOM LINE:
I watched Assault on Precinct 13 knowing very little about the film. In my initial viewing I moderately liked it and waited almost a full week before starting this Blu-ray review. The film grew on me to the extent that I'd actually like to watch it again. If I have seen Carpenter's original (I must have at some point - although don't see the DVD or Blu-ray in my collection) it obviously didn't make much impact but there are many things about this remake that I found... enjoyable. The story sets up a classic dynamic of good vs. bad - and then muddies that line touching on some, justified, paranoia by the characters. We get roped into that suspense. The snowed-in precinct, on New Year's eve, with skeleton staff creates both a protective vs. claustrophobic aura. Assault on Precinct 13 is reasonably brutal but not in a gratuitous way. I've always liked Hawke and Fishburne. Anyway, I watched some other new BD titles and this was the one I decided to review - so you can take that for what it's worth. I was genuinely entertained by Assault on Precinct 13. The Blu-ray hasn't had much effort put into it beyond the original HD release but it still carries some 1080P impact - especially with the audio. If this sounds like something you might enjoy - this disc may be worth the indulgence. It is plenty of 'surface' appeal with the smell of 'cheese' in the air but it never fully succumbs. It holds it's own and I think it is well made with excellent performances. Give it a try.