Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)

"A savvy and extensive reworking of John Carpenter's 1976 cult classic of the same name."

"Don't avoid the new Assault on Precinct 13 because it's a remake. There are plenty of other reasons."

"A smart script, edgy acting and a gradual accumulation of suspense set-pieces makes for a decent popcorn high."

"At its best... this is witty, tense and bloody..."

"(The script) hasn't updated the isolated-precinct premise in a timely or thoughtful way."

"Hawke and Fishburne make it work, supported by a mostly strong cast."

"Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne provide enough gravitas to keep things involving even as some of the supporting characters fight a losing battle with caricature."

"A new “update” of John Carpenter’s 1976 genre classic that takes upon itself the burden of integrating every leaden cliche and token distraction that Carpenter wisely left out."

"A surprisingly credible action flick - even with Ethan Hawke in the role of a neurotic hipster police sergeant."

"Carpenter's original was all action and little talk. No one in this movie knows when to shut up and shoot."

"A thriller that actually thrills."

"The script is fun. The editing is vigorous but coherent, and Hawke's attack on the role is loose and inspired."

"Fans should appreciate the remake for what it is: a breathless little revisit to that old precinct house, expertly performed."

"A great deal of thought may have gone into the making of Assault on Precinct 13, but its tone and its rhythms are consistently out of whack."

"Finally, a remake that isn't a total massacre."

"A nifty little action movie, and well worth a look."

"Not so much a remake as a riff on an old familiar plot..."

"The film has an appropriately dark and gritty look, but it suffers from some glaring problems."

"It's a good old-fashioned shoot-'em-up with a few nice twists and some very good acting."

"Richet introduces new twists and simmering character drama while avoiding pretensions to conserve the ferocity of the 1976 original."

"It's good for a silly laugh, this stuff."