This film is an insult to the original
Escape From New York, despite its sci-fi roots, was a film with a very serious and creepy tone. The atmosphere of the first film was one of constant tension and dread. New York is a place that you fear - a place you would never want to visit. EFLA takes all that tone and completely throws it in the trash can. The plot is basically a scene-by-scene rehash of the first film, but with zero atmosphere, and almost cheesy, unintentional slap-stick comedy. The horrible special effects just hammer home that John Carpenter wasn't interested in creating a true sequel, but just cashing in on the legacy of one of his top-three masterpieces of his early work.
Other than Russell, who is the only watchable element of this film, there is not one other interesting character or half-decently acted role in this turd of a movie, although I may give a pass to Peter Fonda.