Assault on Precinct 13 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Cops and robbers team up against other cops because it’s cold outside and everyone is really bored on New Year’s Eve, culminating in a snow-covered fistfight over who gets to file the paperwork.

🍿 Assault on Precinct 13: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: New Year’s Eve at Precinct 13

It’s New Year’s Eve, and Precinct 13, an old Detroit police station slated for closure, is manned by a skeleton crew. Sergeant Jake Roenick, haunted by a past operation gone wrong, is overseeing the final hours. The small team includes veteran officer Jasper O’Shea, secretary Iris Ferry, and psychiatrist Dr. Alex Sabian. A sense of quiet desperation hangs in the air as the city prepares to ring in the new year.

An Unexpected Detour: Bishop Arrives

A prison transport bus carrying notorious crime lord Marion Bishop and other criminals is forced to seek shelter at Precinct 13 due to a raging snowstorm. Bishop, known for killing undercover cops, becomes an unwilling guest of Roenick’s makeshift holding cell. The tension immediately escalates as Bishop’s reputation precedes him and everyone is aware of the danger he represents. The other criminals include Beck, Anna, and Smiley, adding more volatility to an already fraught situation.

The Assault Begins: The True Enemy Revealed

Suddenly, the precinct comes under attack by masked gunmen, initially believed to be Bishop’s associates attempting a jailbreak. The situation turns deadly as the attackers prove to be highly organized and heavily armed. Roenick and his team soon discover the shocking truth: the attackers are not criminals, but corrupt police officers led by Captain Marcus Duvall, who want to silence Bishop before he can expose their criminal activities.

Unlikely Allies: Cops and Criminals Unite

Faced with overwhelming odds, Roenick makes the desperate decision to arm the prisoners, including Bishop, to defend the precinct. An uneasy alliance forms between the cops and the criminals, united by their shared desire to survive the night. They must overcome their mutual distrust and work together to repel the relentless attacks by Duvall’s forces. The precinct becomes a battleground as they fight for their lives against a seemingly insurmountable foe.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sgt. Jake Roenick (Ethan Hawke): A guilt-ridden police sergeant haunted by a past mistake, who must lead the defense of Precinct 13.
• Marion Bishop (Laurence Fishburne): A notorious crime lord who forms an uneasy alliance with the police to survive an attack.
• Capt. Marcus Duvall (Gabriel Byrne): The corrupt captain who leads the assault on Precinct 13 to eliminate a threat to his criminal activities.
• Iris Ferry (Drea de Matteo): The secretary at Precinct 13 who assists in defending the station.
• Dr. Alex Sabian (Maria Bello): The police psychiatrist who becomes trapped in Precinct 13 and tries to help.
• Beck (John Leguizamo): A drug-addicted prisoner who initially mistrusts the police but contributes to the defense.
• Sgt. Jasper O’Shea (Brian Dennehy): A veteran officer nearing retirement who harbors a dangerous secret.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Marion Bishop: “You’re gonna need me tonight, copper.” – Bishop states this to Roenick, recognizing the impending threat and the necessity of their uneasy alliance.
• Sgt. Jake Roenick: “We’re cops. We don’t make deals with guys like you.” – Roenick initially refuses to cooperate with Bishop, highlighting the moral conflict at the heart of the story.
• Beck: “Your eyes are glazed. You been eatin’ donuts?” – Beck questions Rosen while he is detoxing and hallucinating, adding a moment of dark humor amidst the tension.
• Capt. Marcus Duvall: “No loose ends.” – Duvall’s chillingly simple justification for his ruthless actions and the order to eliminate all witnesses.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,040,895
• Worldwide Gross: $35,294,470

💥 Assault on Precinct 13 Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this back in the day and thinking it was a decent action flick. Ethan Hawke was believable as the troubled cop, and Fishburne brought his usual intensity. There were some scenes that really stuck with me. The siege scenes were intense, and the moment when the psychologist got executed by the dirty cops made me gasp! It’s a fun, if flawed, action movie that I’d recommend for a night when you just want to turn your brain off and watch some explosions.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas with twists”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with ensemble casts and intense situations”
  • “Fans of Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Brief sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• FilmFocus: “A decent remake that doesn’t quite reach the intensity of the original, but offers enough action and suspense to keep you engaged. Hawke and Fishburne deliver solid performances, though the plot can feel a bit contrived at times. If you are looking for a simple action movie you may enjoy this movie.
• Variety: “While the original film was tense and suspenseful with a low budget, this remake replaces the intensity with flashy action, making it watchable but somewhat hollow. The performances are adequate, but the script relies too heavily on action-movie clichés. May be an ok rental, but nothing special.
• Hollywood Reporter: “Good cast, but this remake is not that good. The story is ok, but the original is much better. Too many issues and things that just are not realistic in this movie.

Audience Reactions

The intense action sequences kept me on the edge of my seat!: Viewers appreciated the non-stop action and suspense.

Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne had great on-screen chemistry.: The casting and performances were praised as highlights.

Overall Consensus: A decent action movie that provides entertainment and good thrills. The casting was great and makes the movie what it is.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film is a remake of John Carpenter’s 1976 film of the same name, which itself was inspired by Howard Hawks’s western, Rio Bravo (1959).”
• “The setting was changed from Los Angeles in the original to Detroit for the remake, adding a bleak, wintery backdrop.”
• “To prepare for his role, Laurence Fishburne reportedly spent time with real-life criminals to understand their mindset and mannerisms.”

🖥️ How to Watch Assault on Precinct 13?

Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options. You can often find it for sale on DVD or Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Assault on Precinct 13, you might like these similar films:

• Assault on Precinct 13 (1976): The original film that set the standard for the siege thriller in an urban setting.
• Rio Bravo (1959): The classic western that inspired both versions of ‘Assault on Precinct 13’, featuring a similar ‘siege’ premise.
• Training Day (2001): Features Ethan Hawke in a similarly intense role as a police officer confronting moral compromises.
• The Negotiator (1998): Another film centered around corrupt police and an officer working outside the system to expose them.

🛒 Assault on Precinct 13 Related Products

• Assault on Precinct 13 (Limited Edition Blu-ray): Collector’s edition Blu-ray with exclusive artwork, behind-the-scenes footage, and director commentary. Comes with a mini-poster and art cards.
• Ethan Hawke Movie Collection (DVD): Features Assault on Precinct 13 along with other Ethan Hawke classics. Includes exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content.
• Police Station Building Block Set: A building block set inspired by the movie, letting you recreate Precinct 13 and stage your own action scenes. Includes mini-figures of the main characters.
• Laurence Fishburne Autographed Photo: A professionally printed photo of Laurence Fishburne as Marion Bishop, personally signed by the actor. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.

🎧 Soundtrack

Assault on Precinct 13 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Winter Wonderland” – performed by Dean Martin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sự Kết Hợp Hoàn Hảo Giữa Trùm Mai Thúy Và Trung Sỹ Đặc Nhiệm | Review Phim Assault on Precinct 13

Ever wondered what makes ‘Assault on Precinct 13’ tick? This review breaks down the unlikely alliance between a crime boss and a cop, and honestly, it’s a wild ride you didn’t know you needed to analyze!

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