Review of No Escape (2015) by Mitchell B — 14 Sep 2015

No Escape is no doubt Owen Wilson's best film in years in my opinion. When I saw the trailer it looked like an intense exciting survival film and I was right. It's one of the most intense films I've seen in a while because it is a scenario that could easily happen to anyone. In today's age especially there have been so many revolutions in other countries across the world that it makes everything that happened in the film all the more scary especially if you're planning to take a vacation overseas.

The story is very simple. You have an American businessman named Jack (Owen Wilson) and his family moving to a new home in either Cambodia or Laos. They never name the specific country they're in. Unfortunately it was bad timing as many of the citizens have initiated a revolution against the governments and all outsiders, particularly Americans. Now Jack has to get himself and his family to safety.

First of all, the film looks great. It's also bloody and, as I said previously, very intense. Critics complained that the film was too violent and intense. I don't know what movie they thought they were watching if that was the case. The trailer advertised the film as an intense and bloody survival flick and the film was just that. The violence added to the realism of the whole scenario which we all know is very real. In fact, this is still probably not as gruesome as the real thing.

The actors all did great. As I said this is definitely Owen Wilson's best role in a while which is a surprise considering he's playing against type. I think this is his first serious role since Behind Enemy Lines though I could be wrong.

Pierce Brosnan is here as well as the occasional friend/helping hand to our main characters named Hammond. He does a great job as well. In fact, he was my favorite character. The other cast members did fine as well even the child actors.

The only two grievances I have is that for one my favorite character got killed-off. The other is the way it was shot at times. I thought there was too much shaky cam throughout even when someone is just running. The cameraman can't seem to hold the camera still in many spots.

Overall, No Escape was a thrilling survival flick. The film was not trying to be complex or deep like the ones critics gravitate towards. However, in what it sets out to do I think it did it well. If you want a thrilling time at the movies then go see this but leave the kids at home.