Directed by:
Mikael HåfströmCinematography:
Brendan GalvinComposer:
Alex HeffesCast:
Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Caviezel, Vinnie Jones, Vincent D'Onofrio, 50 Cent, Amy Ryan, Caitríona Balfe, Sam Neill, Matt Gerald (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Prison-break action film starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Structural security specialist Ray Breslin (Stallone) is paid to enter high security prisons and escape while highlighting weaknesses in their apparently escape-proof systems. But when he is framed and incarcerated in a prison of his own design which is run by the relentless Warden Hobbes (Jim Caviezel), he has to put his incomparable skills to the ultimate test. However, in order to escape this particular prison he'll need the help of another insider. Luckily he meets fellow prisoner and old-timer Swan Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger) who agrees to help Ray in his escape, but only if Ray agrees to free him while doing so... (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (12)
Escape Plan is helped a lot by the detached humour that Stallone and Schwarzenegger (and, to a lesser extent, the brilliantly sleazy Jim Caviezel) bring to the increasingly imbecilic story. Together, they transform the film into a reunion of alumni who passed a test composed of testosterone-fuelled gestures sometime in the 1980s. However, Håfström makes no effort to stylistically recall any of that. The only upgrade of the (arche)types that the two aging action stars have played over the past forty years is most likely supposed to consist in complementing pure muscle mass with an exceptional intellect. Unlike their ability to hold a ten-kilo machine gun in one hand, I did not believe either one’s shrewdness bordering on genius. Unfortunately, the action – i.e. the main reason the film exists – comes only after a hundred minutes of recycling the most hackneyed escape motifs. In addition to that, the resulting plan is so encumbered with the factor of chance that the presentation of Stallone as a master escape artist is cut off at the knees. After Sly’s unsuccessful attempt to address the matter at hand intellectually, the screenwriter sensible turns him back into good old ultra-violent Rambo. Overall, Escape Plan is just another unsuccessful attempt at a major (double) comeback that much more frequently raises a bemused smile rather than the adrenaline level. 65%
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"You don't look that smart..." Indeed. It is a pity that the script realizes this only after it realizes that two wooden clubs will not produce an intellectual spark. A few of the situations are amusing, Arnie's religious Germanic frenzy is magical, but otherwise it’s a handful of poorly written and dully filmed situations that try to look smart here, dramatic there, but they rather flow by harmlessly (and arouse legitimate smiles). I have a feeling that a similar happening will work at high speed only on a wave of irony and playfulness. And the creators forgot to lock them up in the same prison. I don't know if I dreamed of meeting Sly and Arnie, but since I'm a fan of both, I would justifiably expect some greater emotion than the embarrassed smile on my face when Sly punched Arnie. It's gone. Oh well. [55%]
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B-movie; straightforward and entertaining, originally conceived and refreshed by two veteran icons who in their old age have become even more deeply aware of their role in a colossal movie marathon. But a B-movie nonetheless, predictable, with a stale, truncated and unsurprising plot (starting with the escape plan and ending with Arnie's final "asshole"), and it's more appropriate in this case than elsewhere to play the critic and point out that playing for fun is different from actually being fun. The biggest impression is left by the unpleasantly slimy James Caviezel, who perhaps has never been so good. 65%
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Not just a long awaited meeting of two forgotten legends, but a good movie too. As far as possible, of course, there are so many coincidences, stupid decisions taken by the villains and unshocking surprises. But no matter. The structure is old, but the shell is newly painted. An enjoyable struggle between old procedures and modern methods throughout the entire picture, which gave me a pleasant feeling while watching. Stallone appears as a seasoned inmate and escape artist, Schwarzenegger knows how to get his hands on what’s needed and Caviezel represents the assiduous slipperiness so popular today (and he really enjoys it). The other characters are just there to make up the numbers, the most hilarious being “50 Cent" Jackson as a hacker with morals. The final punch-up is very nicely done and when Arnold picks up the machine gun, a smile spreads across the face of all orthodox fans. I don’t want to dwell on the resilience of the helicopter and the subsequent exploding barrels... I suppose it had to be included. Overall I’m satisfied, something that I couldn’t imagine originally. Old school on its best form. + Arnold’s Austrian way of distracting attention - that’s definitely the high point of the movie.
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Damn, I know that this film has its flaws, like characters that are essentially unnecessary and a plot that doesn't significantly impact anything. Or how it plays on the cliché that action heroes played by action stars simply don't die. But still, this is a fantastic idea that was well executed. There isn't as much humor as you would expect, but the ending is quite light-hearted. Additionally, you don't often see or hear Arnold speaking in his native German. Entertaining, although quite lengthy, great main roles. It's evident that Sly and Arnold really enjoy playing together, and they are doing it immensely well. I look forward to their future collaboration.
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