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Friend of show Comrade Yui returns to discuss John Carpenter's 'Escape From L.A.', his raucous and acidic sequel to 1981's 'Escape From New York'. Derided by both audiences and critics, we offer a defense of the film as a vital work of Carpenter's late period that manages to thrill as an action picture, while wryly thumbing its nose at the corrupt values of Hollywood and its own existence as a prototype for modern "legacy sequels".

We begin by talking Carpenter in the 90s, a time when he was taking his biggest swings (while also facing some of his most frustrating conflicts with studios). Then, we take a look at the fascinating tenor of the film, and how it balances the acerbic, raw energy and wit of the original film while taking aim at societal ills of 1996 America with even more directness and urgency than its predecessor. Finally, we compare the film to other great movies (and one 2021 sequel specifically) that have followed in the spirit of 'Escape From L.A.', reckoning with legacy, while also boldly subverting audience expecations in pursuit of revealing the deeper truths and authenticity of their creators. 

Follow Comrade Yui on Twitter and Letterboxd.

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Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.