Better Than How It First Looks
Added 3/29/2009
On the surface, this looks like an overly violent, dumb and seedy movie because it features nothing but hardened criminals plus the normal sadistic warden Hollywood always shows in all modern-day films.
But....it turns out the story isn't as sordid as it looks and the violence, although plentiful, is somehow not overdone. Also, the chief villain " Walter Marek" (Stuart Wilson) is a man with a good sense of humor. The comedic relief he brings is a real plus to the story. By the way, Wilson doesn't look like Mel Gibson but his voice sure sounds similar.
Profanity isn't as much as you'd except in a tough film like this and - in a real oddity - Lance Henriksen is the nicest guy in the movie! He never utters a bad or angry word. If you know the characters Henriksen usually plays, you know this is a rarity. Ray Liotta, Michael Lerner and Ernie Hudson also star, so it's a decent cast.
You could do a lot worse looking for two hours of "escapist" fare.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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I had rented this years ago but I couldn't pass up the price here so I bought a copy and it was well worth it. I had forgot how good it is at keeping your attention. Ray Liotta, Lance Henrikson, and the rest the cast do a fine job. Fans of movies like "Escape from New York" and "The Soldier" should enjoy it the most. When a soldier is convicted of killing his superior officer we are in the dark as to why at first and the Island prison he is dropped off on is more like "Lord of the Flies" or inhabitants escaped from "The Road Warrior" than normal people. His only concern is getting off this rock and if it means fighting a whole army of these dregs he will do it. Good quality DVD with ample replayability.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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From the producers of "The Terminator" and "Aliens" and it shows. Practically nonstop mayhem. And very much like the last two Mad Max movies, particularly in the costumes, makeup, and the town, which somewhat resembled Barter Town. Liotta, however, is no Mel Gibson; there didn't seem to be that hardness at his core that Gibson can project. However, I did thoroughly enjoy it in spite of the constant violence. Was filmed in Australia, with some gorgeous scenery shots. But far too much violence and very graphic. Although its message was good. I would think some scenes here could cause nightmares among the young and the more susceptible. There's really nothing wrong with the movie's plot; it's just that we're now too good in the technical department, and can make violence so real these days. Maybe we need to downgrade here, and not be so graphic.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Overlooked And Underrated Liotta Vehicle
Added 10/30/2005
What is it with guys like Ray Liotta and Lance Henriksen? They are great character actors, but once they take the lead, their films seem to be forgotten or ridiculed. "No Escape" is a particularly interesting flick considering that both Liotta and Henriksen appear in it. Not to mention Ernie Hudson and Stuart Wilson, who are two other top-notch actors who seem to be stuck in ruts.
This film didn't get much recognition in its day. I caught it at the movies years ago and loved it. Sure, it borrows from flicks like "Escape From New York" and I even see a little "Island of Dr. Moreau" in there, but it is an excellent film on its own merit. It has a stock story of a man who has committed a crime in order to right a wrong. He is banished to an island prison where no one escapes. On this island there are two factions: Insiders and Outsiders. One group is peaceful and lives in a semi-Utopian society whereas the other lives primarily under the rule of one man, Wilson. Henriksen plays the "Father," who quietly leads the Insiders. When Robbins, played by Liotta, falls into the game, he is sought out by Wilson's Marek, but ends up with the Insiders.
Naturally, Liotta decides he has to escape the island to prove his case and to seek out freedom. What follows is raid after raid and the eventual final battle, full of deception and action. But don't let this simplistic and borrowed tale deceive you. This is a fun film to watch and the primary characters are solidly developed.
Ernie Hudson heads up a strong supporting cast that features Kevin Dillon as a hard-luck innocent and Michael Lerner takes a nasty turn as the Warden. You'll recognize Hudson from "Ghostbusters I & II." He played Winston. Dillon was in the remake of "The Blob" and Lerner played the mayor of NYC in "Godzilla" with Matthew Broderick. There are other recognizable faces in the crowd as well.
If you're looking for a solid film with good production and a wonderful plot(though not very original), you're sure to enjoy "No Escape." Check it out and add it to your Ray Liotta library. He's an oft-overlooked actor who deserves better accolades.
6 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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My favourite action movie of all times !!!!!!!
Added 7/17/2005
"No Escape" is an amazing SCI-FI action movie starring Ray Liotta, who is my favourite actor along with Robert Patrick (T1000). Ray Liotta is in my opinion THE KING of ACTION MOVIES!!!!
He is an actor full of energy, who succeeds everytime in transmiting to the viewer exactly the feeling that he wants to transmit in that moment, a quality which only the great actors have it.
I can easily see on his face the joy of acting!!!
Keep it up, Ray!!!
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Better Than How It First Looks
Added 3/29/2009
On the surface, this looks like an overly violent, dumb and seedy movie because it features nothing but hardened criminals plus the normal sadistic warden Hollywood always shows in all modern-day films.
But....it turns out the story isn't as sordid as it looks and the violence, although plentiful, is somehow not overdone. Also, the chief villain " Walter Marek" (Stuart Wilson) is a man with a good sense of humor. The comedic relief he brings is a real plus to the story. By the way, Wilson doesn't look like Mel Gibson but his voice sure sounds similar.
Profanity isn't as much as you'd except in a tough film like this and - in a real oddity - Lance Henriksen is the nicest guy in the movie! He never utters a bad or angry word. If you know the characters Henriksen usually plays, you know this is a rarity. Ray Liotta, Michael Lerner and Ernie Hudson also star, so it's a decent cast.
You could do a lot worse looking for two hours of "escapist" fare.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
I had rented this years ago but I couldn't pass up the price here so I bought a copy and it was well worth it. I had forgot how good it is at keeping your attention. Ray Liotta, Lance Henrikson, and the rest the cast do a fine job. Fans of movies like "Escape from New York" and "The Soldier" should enjoy it the most. When a soldier is convicted of killing his superior officer we are in the dark as to why at first and the Island prison he is dropped off on is more like "Lord of the Flies" or inhabitants escaped from "The Road Warrior" than normal people. His only concern is getting off this rock and if it means fighting a whole army of these dregs he will do it. Good quality DVD with ample replayability.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
From the producers of "The Terminator" and "Aliens" and it shows. Practically nonstop mayhem. And very much like the last two Mad Max movies, particularly in the costumes, makeup, and the town, which somewhat resembled Barter Town. Liotta, however, is no Mel Gibson; there didn't seem to be that hardness at his core that Gibson can project. However, I did thoroughly enjoy it in spite of the constant violence. Was filmed in Australia, with some gorgeous scenery shots. But far too much violence and very graphic. Although its message was good. I would think some scenes here could cause nightmares among the young and the more susceptible. There's really nothing wrong with the movie's plot; it's just that we're now too good in the technical department, and can make violence so real these days. Maybe we need to downgrade here, and not be so graphic.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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