Assault on Precinct 13 (Restored Collectors Edition) [Blu-ray]
by John Carpenter
![Assault on Precinct 13 (Restored Collectors Edition) [Blu-ray]](/images/Assault-on-Precinct-13-Restored-Collectors-Edition-Blu-ray-B001HBVE5Q-L.jpg)
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Actor: Austin Stoker, Charles Cyphers, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West, Tony BurtonDirector: John Carpenter
Brand: Image Entertainment
Blu-ray: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Restored, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: 2008-12-02
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Blu-ray Reviews of Assault on Precinct 13 (Restored Collectors Edition) [Blu-ray]
Blu-ray Review: A classic "B' thriller is given a digital face-lift for blu-ray... but is it done right?
Summary: 3 Stars
The film itself is three-and-a-half stars out of five; taut, eerie, violent, suspenseful and (best of all) fun, this is a fine example of a lo-fi 1970's "B" suspense-action thriller. At it's core, "Assault On Precinct 13" is a 1970's "grindhouse" feature with characters and a premise straight out of Howard Hawks and John Ford westerns. This was "B" film master John Carpenter's second feature (after the ultra-low budget amateurish sci-fi spoof "Dark Star"), and his terrific skill with suspense and atmosphere really became evident with this film; his use of lighting, shadows and darkness in the film are textbook examples of how to make a "B" suspense flick on the cheap. The music, another classic (albeit corny) John Carpenter synth score, also contributes considerably to the film's "B" movie goodness.
On the other hand, his handling of action sequences are merely workmanlike and competent, and for all the great (and not so great) films Carpenter would later go on to direct, he would never really improve much in that area. Another weakness that holds this film back from "B" movie perfection are some painfully rank amateurish acting performances (we're talking "1970's porn" bad); for some, that may only add to the fun, but for me, it only distracts from an otherwise well-made, slick little thriller that really makes the most of its feeble production budget.
In the final analysis, "Assault" is not Carpenter's best work (for me, "Halloween" and "The Thing" hold those honors), and the film has become dated to be sure. Yet for those who are game, the film's datedness ultimately works in its favor, as time has all but ensured that "Assault" remains a funky, eerie (and fun) time capsule of a bygone film era. Flaws and all, "Assault on Precinct 13" is 1970's "Grindhouse" filmmaking at its best.
Regarding specifically the new 2009 blu-ray edition of this film (and to some degree the 2009 DVD version as well, since they share the same master), this version definitely has some things going for it over the 2003 edition: sharpness has been increased, the film has been cleaned up significantly and colors have been punched up.
The bad news: contrast has been jacked way up, sometimes to a punishing degree; blacks look blown out in several scenes. Originally a predominantly dark and grim picture, "Assault On Precinct 13" has been digitally fine-tuned so it now looks a good deal more colorful, clean and even (dare I say it?) bright. Daylight sequences now resemble 12:00 pm in the afternoon, as opposed to the 5:00 pm or later that the daylight shots are supposed to take place in.
Some may appreciate this new look, but I, for one, feels this neuters the atmosphere of the film. "Assault" was filmed intentionally dark and murky; although this was done primarily to hide the lack of a proper budget, the darkness ultimately imbues an eerie quality to the film that more than offsets the films various weaknesses. In its original release, it was difficult to make out who or what lurked in the shadows, instilling a sense of suspense that was predominant throughout the picture. Now, it is all too easy to catch a glimpse of the enemy, which does no favors for the film, as they often look like third-rate extras who stepped off of "The Warriors" film set. As is so often the case with low-budget films, the less that is seen, the better.
I also take umbrage with the new color: while these punched-up (i.e. touched up) colors look great during the day sequences, they add a comic book-like theatricality to the night scenes that take away from the dark eeriness that was formerly pervasive throughout the film. Whereas once the mob shuffled and gathered vaguely in shadowy backgrounds to seek out their prey, they now coordinate their actions under fairly well-lit blue and purple stage lighting.
In the end, it will most definitely come down to personal preference. For me, the film has been cleaned up a little too much, as it now resembles less a mid-1970's "B" thriller, and more an early-1980's action flick.
With both discs carrying the same set of special features, I am sticking with my 2003 DVD edition of the film. Yes, the new edition is sharper, cleaner and brighter, but it's all at the expense of the atmosphere and visual tone of the film... both darkness and grunge are two of the most important characters in this movie, after all. The fact is, some things are better left in the dark.
Description of Assault on Precinct 13 (Restored Collectors Edition) [Blu-ray]
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