Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

Plot Outline: A violent street gang declares war on a nearly abandoned police station after it has given refuge to a father whose daughter was killed by the gang. It's up to the remaining staff and some prisoners on their way to death row to team up and fight off the street gang who will stop at nothing to kill everyone inside.

The Review: Vintage Carpenter doesn't get much better than this. Displaying his real eye for talent, the film begins with trademark credits and another great techno score from the talented director/writer/composer. The film starts off pretty normally but the absolutely shocking cold-blooded murder of a young girl about half an hour into the film shows that this film isn't going to take any prisoners. I mean it's one of the most shocking moments I think I've ever witnessed on film because it was so unexpected. Children are usually the innocent untouchables of films and they rarely get troubled. But Carpenter pulled all of the punches here to shock us - this moment is the defining moment of the film because after this, it's almost a non-stop ride of violence and carnage. You know that nothing is sacred. Having said that, Carpenter does manage to pace the film. He lets everything gradually build up - it's got an almost too natural flow in the early stages of the siege. But one thing which Carpenter doesn't build up is the street gang. He doesn't really give us much of an explanation why the street gang is so violent - it just is. This is for the better because developing the gang would have taken away the non-human element which seems to surround them. Just like the zombies in Night of the Living Dead, this gang is relentless, brutal and not fussed about who gets it. Carpenter makes good use of his limited budget excellently throughout the film - the musical score sounds cheap but it's one of his best scores yet. The action is limited (and some action shots are re-used) but still manages to convey it's purpose. And Carpenter has assembled a talented cast of lesser known actors, some of whom would go on to be Carpenter regulars including Charles Cyphers. Austin Stoker is particularly impressive as the cool, calm and collected Lt. Bishop. Everything seems to fit together almost perfectly to create this Western-like urban action flick.

Final Verdict: As with the rest of the films in Carpenter's "golden era" (1976-82), Assault on Precinct 13 is very simple but very effective. It's brutal, unforgiving and will keep you on the edge of your seat. A perfect example of why John Carpenter is one of the most gifted directors ever.

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