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No Escape (1994)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
4/19, 5/22
4/19:
No Escape is an okay futuristic picture that reminds me of many films.
The first ten minutes with Ray Liotta and Michael Lerner is exactly the same as
Escape from New York. When Ray was transported to the island and met with the leader
of the savages, the feel is exactly the same as Waterworld. Except this time, it takes place
primarily on land with a bit of Lord of the Flies going on.
When Ray found refuge at the fortress, it's exactly the same as The Road Warrior. When
he looked out to the ocean as a means of escape, it's exactly the same as Papillon. When the
helicopter was captured at the end, it's exactly the same as
Rambo: First Blood Part II minus most of the subsequent action.
The cast is all right. Ray Liotta is calm and doesn't let his crazed eyes do most of the acting. Moreover, he surprisingly
performs many stunts although his double is easy to spot at times. Lance Henriksen offers some respectability, but the trouble
with Stuart Wilson (Jack Travis of Lethal Weapon 3) as Marek is that he's not good enough to
make for a memorable villain which explains why Die Hard and
Point Break worked out so well.
Oddly, the setting takes place in 2022. Well, nothing like that has happened. Maybe the filmmakers should've added another
one thousand years to keep it real? No Escape must be a rarity because I can't recall a movie that's all-male with
over five hundred people. It has a twist at the end that I didn't see coming which is a pleasant welcome.
All in all, No Escape lacks originality, but it's been an enjoyable movie nonetheless.
5/22:
What helps No Escape the most is the story.
Despite the weak quality print, it's an absorbing movie to sit through although there are many reminders of
The Road Warrior and Escape from New York,
among others. In the place of Mel Gibson, Ray Liotta plays a silent but strong character. He does well, and there are others
who are adequate enough to carry the weight.
Kevin Dillon is the weakest link. After his harebrained character dies, the feeling has been "okay...who cares?" Robbins sure
moved on quickly, too. The funniest part is the setting takes place during the year of 2022. Well, we're here now, but life isn't
that different and nothing feels futuristic. Sadly, it's also the same year that Ray Liotta passed away in. Eerie, is it?
All in all, No Escape is enjoyable and works well for a sci-fi prison picture.