Assault on Precinct 13 2005
Assault on Precinct 13 ★★½ 2005 (R)
Richet's remake of the Carpenter cult classic has the cons and cops, led by burned-out Sgt. Roenick (Hawke) and criminal kingpin Bishop (Fishburne) holed up in a soon-to-be-closed Precinct 13 on a snowy New Year's Eve against a squad of corrupt cops intent on eliminating Bishop, their not-quite-silent-enough partner. Generally solid, if standard, updating loses much credibility by plopping a forest in the middle of a heavily industrial part of Detroit, where this one is set. Hawke and Fishburne are appropriately conflicted and heroic as it's called for, but it's the supporting cast that gives this rendition its zest. Stick around for the helpful plot-summarizing rap song that plays over the closing credits. 109m/C VHS, DVD, UMD, HD DVD . US Ethan Hawke, Laurence Fishburne, Brian Dennehy, Drea De Matteo, Maria Bello, Gabriel Byrne, Ja Rule, Matt Craven, John Leguizamo, Fulvio Cecere, Currie Graham, Dorian Harewood, Kim Coates, Hugh Dillon, Titus Welliver, Aisha Hinds; D: Jean-Francois Richet; W: James DeMonaco; C: Robert Gantz; M: Graeme Revell.