“Assault On Precinct 13” (Focus Films)
Ethan Hawke is back in “Training Day” mode as he plays another cop in “Assault On Precinct 13.” This time out he has another formidable co-star. It was Denzel in “Training Day” and it is Laurence Fishburne in this flick. Once again the chemistry clicks and these two lead the way to action.
The movie takes place in Detroit on New Year’s Eve. Jake Roenick (Hawke) is in command of Precinct 13, a station that is slated for closure. The computers have been dismantled and only three people are left on duty. Besides Jake, only Jasper (Brian Dennehy) and Iris (Drea DeMatteo) are still there. Jasper is an old time sergeant and Iris is the secretary.
Outside a storm is raging and this forces Jake’s psychiatrist (Maria Bello) to make a call at the station. She has been stranded in the storm and is seeking shelter. Later a bus of criminals also turns up. The storm has forced them to the precinct also. These prisoners include crime king Marion Bishop (Fishburne).
Shortly after the prisoners arrive the station is attacked. It seems there are some corrupt policemen who want Bishop dead. And since he is inside the precinct they plan to kill everyone inside. They want no witnesses and this includes the psychiatrist, who immediately goes into hysterics.
The movie does not hold up plot wise. How did the “bad” police know the bus was going to be forced to go to Precinct 13 Why doesn’t someone hear the gunfire and other methods of fighting Aren’t there some kind of checking in requirements from the precinct
Aside from these plot holes, the movie is well acted and entertaining. Hawke is convincing as the hyperactive Jake while Fishburne is a walking menace as Marion. The man exudes mean and deadly. Bello is fragile as the psychiatrist and DeMatteo is bold and brassy as Iris.
The film is rated R for profanity and violence.
As action flicks go this is one of the better ones. It is never boring and you never know who is going to get whacked next. It keeps the audience totally off balance and that is a good thing.
For a night of action and suspense this “Assault” of the senses is enjoyable.
I scored “Assault On Precinct 13” a battened down 6 out of 10.
