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Friday, October 4, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD ESCAPE PLAN
EDITOR'S PICK
'Escape
Plan' - action-packed but predictable (IANS Movie Review)
Rating: ***
With a wafer-thin plot line and two iconic action heroes in one frame,
"Escape Plan" offers a predictably rousing fare that could act as a
tutorial for prisoners intending to break free.
The film begins in a very linear, clandestine fashion where a prisoner
(Sylvester Stallone), after escaping from the tightly secured Bendwater
Penitentiary Institution, Colorado, reveals to the officials that he is Ray
Breslin, a consultant and security expert who exposes the vulnerabilities of the
state prisons. He further gives the jailor a step-by-step detailed account of
how he managed to break free.
While the jail officials are not happy with the revelation, the CIA approaches
Ray Breslin and his team with an assignment to check the loopholes in one of the
new facility for the world's most dangerous criminals. The whereabouts of this
facility are not disclosed for security reasons.
Lured with a promising fee, Breslin's manager pushes him to accept the offer
saying, "I am the numbers guy and you are the artist who can escape from
any prison made by man." Breslin concedes.
The flow of events doesn't go as planned. Nevertheless, Breslin lands up in this
tightly secured place and finds himself at the mercy of the prison's sadistic
warden Hobbes (Jim Caviezel). After evaluating his chances of escape as
practically impossible, he reveals his true identity to Hobbes. But the warden
refuses to listen, leaving him with no alternative but to try the impossible.
The first 30 minutes of the film drags, though there is ample action - both
physical and verbal. The screen lights up only when Stallone hooks up with
Schwarzenegger to collaborate against Hobbes and his cronies.
Though Mikael Hafstrom's film is spiked with intelligent analytical skills,
bullets, brawls and wit, the film lacks the punch. While the actors punch each
other, the entire action seems fake and anticipated in an especially drawn-out
plot.
In fact, at one stage when Schwarzenegger mockingly informs Stallone, "You
hit like a vegetarian", it just makes you realise how true he is.
Stallone and Schwarzenegger, both action heroes have intense harmony on screen.
They complement each other with their histrionics and banter. While
Schwarzenegger is charismatic and chirpy, Stallone broods with his constantly
grumpy mannerisms. What's more? The exposition of Breslin's motive is lost in
Stallone's drawl, thereby killing the entire emotional spirit of the tale.
Jim Caviezel is sleek and polished as the sharp and wicked warden. His
soft-spoken intellectualism contrasts well against the beefy pair.
The film is supported by a team of brilliant actors that include, Sam Neill as
Dr. Emil Kaikev, Farhan Thahir as Javeed, Vincent D'Onofrio as Lester Clark,
Breslin's Manager and Amy Ryan as Abigail, Breslin's colleague. They provide
extra seriousness to the narration that the script doesn't really deserve.
The production value of the film is good. The vertical cells with glass walls
and frugal layout patrolled by identically masked men gives a very futuristic
feel.
What's good about Escape Plan is that it is clean and not at all contemptuous
till the very end.
Watch it if you are Stallone or Schwarzenegger fans.
