I feel like I can somewhat see why John Carpenter prefers Escape from L.A. to Escape from New York, although the much bigger budget here certainly overwhelms him in a way that I can't say always works in his favour. Still, I can't help but feel that even then the dodgy special effects work has its own distinct charm to it that feels missing even in modern-day blockbusters, though the lack of subtlety in Carpenter's own cynicism and messaging about the direction of America's future works all too well, especially since it hits like a sledgehammer.

But much as Kurt Russell still rules every minute of the screen he takes up as Snake Plissken, it's the fact that he and Carpenter embrace the outlandishness that only makes Escape from L.A. so much fun to watch. And that entire ending sequence is maybe one of the best things Carpenter has put to the screen.