ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 contains a lot of laughs for a cop-action film; that was a surprise. It also has a terrific, bleak winter feel. The precinct could just as well be on the moon. There were enough hand-held shots to give it the occasional documentary feel, but not so many that it became annoying and headache-inducing. Hawke turns in a competent, not particularly flashy performance as the police sergeant down on his luck; and the supporting actors -- including especially a cool and controlled Fishburne and an over-the-top Leguizamo -- are solid. This is the kind of sandpaper-rough action flick that used to be made in the 1970s (think THE SEVEN UPS) but has been virtually extinguished because of Hollywood's propensity for comic-book schmaltz (think DIE HARD). Whatever its faults, ASSAULT and its French director deserve praise for providing 2005's grown-up action flick. (And thanks to David Mamet for last year's, SPARTAN.) Could the 70s be coming back? We can hope.
Review of Assault on Precinct 13
