Relentlessly exciting the movie No Escape, now on Blu-ray and DVD, puts its audience into a nonstop survival film as a family runs for their life. Just as violent and all-consuming as the tsunami film The Impossible, the only difference comes with humans killing humans instead of nature. The momentum builds so quickly that you’ll find yourself glued to the electrifying film till the credits roll. Even in your home theater you will become so shocked at times by the brutal extremists no matter how big the screen. Get your goodies ready, take potty breaks before you press play and let the ride begin.
After leaving his company in Texas for a more lucrative position in Southeast Asia, Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson), his wife Annie (Lake Bell) and his two young girls Lucy (Sterling Jerins) and Beeze (Claire Geare) start the first step in Jack’s relocation. On the airplane they become acquitted with Hammond (Pierce Brosnan), a rugged guy returning to his job in the same area where the Dwyer’s are staying. At the airport Holland gets picked up by his best friend Kenny Rogers (Sahajak Boonthanakit) and he offers the Dwyer’s a ride to their hotel.
The next morning Jack awakens early and takes a walk to a local Asian market area looking for an American newspaper. As he is about to leave he sees a conflict breaking out between Police and dissident protestors wanting to kill all foreigners. Caught up in the melee he’s now on the run and needs to get to his family and assure their safety. When the going gets extremely violent, their only chance comes from Holland and Rogers.
The film goes on from their holding nothing back in a visual display of killing and explosive violence. Director John Erick Dowdle who also wrote the script with his brother Drew (Quarantine) start off the film with a bang, give their audience a short break while getting to know the main characters, then begins one of the most white knuckle films I’ve seen in a long while. The Dowdle’s engulf their audience with visuals of Extremist’s performing merciless executions, killing innocent bystanders and blowing buildings apart to show their strength as they attempt to take control of the city.
Not until the third act does Dowdle finally let the home audience catch its breath, relax in their chairs and realize what they just witnessed. Using many camera’s to film the action, th first 40 minutes gives the feeling that you are there right in the violent chase urging the Dwyers on to escape their ordeal. Just when you take that last sip of your drink and a bite of homemade popcorn, the momentum starts to build again and Dowdle shows how vicious it can really be.
Leading the cast Owen Wilson puts on a great show as Jack who’s trying to get to his family to take them out of harm’s way. His performance makes the film worth seeing showing urgency and determination within the chaos of all the killing. Jack has only one thing on his mind and will let nothing get in his way until he’s reunited with his family back at the hotel. He’s a take charge guy and when he finally gets to his wife and young daughters, he has to make decisions that most of us would not even think of doing. Wilson takes control of the film and it’s nice to see him back in action.
BONUS FEATURES:
“Commentary by filmmakers the Dowdle Brothers” DO NOT put on the commentary until after you have seen the film once. Then listen as the Dowdles take you step by step though their exciting movie.
“Deleted Scenes” Two of the most hair raising scenes that were cut from the film.
“Behind the Scenes” Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Pierce Brosnan and the Dowdle Brothers each talk about their part in the film and how it all came about. Mixed with footage of their work, this is one of the better extras I’ve seen in some time.
No Escape has been rated R by the MPAA for strong violence including a sexual assault, and for language. The film is not for the timid and the faint-hearted as it contains very realistic brutality, slashing, merciless executions, attempted rape and other bloody deeds. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film or have access to it.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very well made action filled film with very good performances all around. (A)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, Sterling Jerins, Claire Geare, Pierce Brosnan.
Directed and screenplay by: John Erick Dowdle
Genre: Action, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence including a sexual assault, and for language
Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: August 26, 2015
Video Release Date: November 24, 2015
Language: English (changeable to Spanish)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack plus Digital HD
Audio: Blu-ray- DTSHD-Master Audio 5.1. DVD- Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen presentation Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 2 Disc plus Ultraviolet
Distributed by: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
