I went with a group of friends to see this film last night, not really knowing much about the film. And not really expecting much more than a cheesy lame police/ action yarn.

But by the end of the opening sequence i was blown away, i looked at my friend sat next to me and smiled "we had found a winner".

Basically it follows Ethan hawkes character, Jake Roenick a police officer who takes on a desk job in a quiet police station after loosing his team in a drugs bust, at the start of the movie.

the film is set on New Year's Eve, inside Precinct 13. An old worn out station which is about to be closed down forever, because its knackered.

Jake Roenick must unite a force made up cops and criminals to save themselves from a mob looking to kill mobster Marion Bishop.

I really enjoyed the film and if your a fan of pure action, then this is the film for you. It reminded me of Die hard and had a similar feel. Also i believe that this film kills off characters who you would expect to live till the end and perhaps make it all the way, so their are a few shocks in there also.

So it's nothing like the Chris Carpenter version then??

I dident know there was an original until after i saw the film, but i think thats a good think. I could just enjoy the film without any other predjudices etc.

John Carpenter even...

Doh, silly me.

God, that makes me feel old. The original's recently been released as a Special Edition DVD and it's well worth getting. Brutal and atmospheric.

This version was pretty good, & is similar to the original in many ways. The original is by far superior though.
There does seem to be more action in the new one, there also seems to be a shit script in the new one. Carpenter's movie had better acting (or maybe just better characterisation).
The original plot's a bit different too. If memory serves, i don't think it was ever explained why the station was under attack.
Finally, ... the music. Probably the best Carpenter score after Halloween.

If I remember correctly the station was under attack because a guy who had just killed a gang member was hiding out in there?? Also I have a question about the new one. In the original one of the important factors was that communication from the police station had been cut off and so they were kind of stranded defending themselves. Now I'm making a presumption here but I take it the new one is set nowadays and surely in this day and age of mobile phones somebody in the station would have had a mobile and could just make a call for help?? How did they get around that, did they all happen to all have flat mobile batteries or no signal? correct me if I'm wrong.

well unfortunately it was during a big snowy storm and no one could get a signal...gulp