Masterful Movie

Better Late Then Never

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Whilst in possession of a film crew and at least two good Western actors and three good 'bad guy' local actors, all on location in Thailand, why didn't the director make a 1st rate movie about pirates, human trafficking and kidnapping, all topically relevant themes? My guess is that having turned up on location and finding a lead actress who seems she couldn't be bothered with it all and possibly on a limited budget and time scale, he just did the best he could and went home. This is no 'Apocalypse Now', it's just about 'adequate' as very light entertainment, possibly with financial backing from a 'faith group' as the movie's over done, religious message would suggest. What I find so disappointing, is that this could have been a great movie given the location and topic. In my view, it's such a pity that a great opportunity was missed.

While it could have been better and wasn't a great movie, Escape does have a fair bit to like. Escape's far from perfect, it does raise some very intriguing questions that did encourage some thought but too many of these questions are not resolved very adequately. The spiritual/Christianity aspect on the most part is thought-provoking and powerful but it can be laid on a little too thick as well sometimes, not to the extent that it was religious propaganda but it was a touch heavy-handed in places. The story mostly works but does have a rather predictable and cliché-ridden ending and can be too reliant on coincidence. And Anora Lynn's performance is stiff and lacking in emotion.In the acting stakes however, John Rhys Davies and C. Thomas Howell do fare far better, Davies is lots of fun and does bring a dignity to his part while Howell gives one of, in recent years that is, his better performances(his character's anguish comes across very movingly) in one of his better movies(again in recent years, after doing a lot of very bad movies that made him look like a bad actor when actually he has shown he can be good when with good material). The villains are quite scary too. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and complimented by photography that looks like a lot of effort went into it. The music is stirring not once losing pulse or overbearing the drama or the dialogue. The dialogue is audible at least and is actually worth listening to, it does make sense and does stir some suspense and emotion without getting too overwrought. The story is imperfect of course but it had a good idea to start with and at its best it's emotionally charged and suspenseful with appropriately measured pacing and decent action. The direction is efficient enough and the characters while not fully developed are likable enough as well. The message is well-intended and while not exactly subtle it does make its point.In conclusion, Escape does fall short of being great but it held my interest and was a decent movie. 6/10 Bethany Cox

This movie held my attention. I was browsing netflix looking for a decent movie for a quiet afternoon. It seems as if not too many people have seen this movie and it is worth watching. Anora Lyn was a bit lifeless at times and she could have shown some emotion as a woman just losing her child. C Thomas Howel as Paul was much better. The move opens with John Rhys Davis as Malcom being kidnapped. I thought he did a nice job of bringing out the character.The religious aspect took me by surprise but it was not overdone. There was a nice bit of action that added to the total effect of the movie. All in all a good movie. In spite of the bland acting of Anora Lyn as Joanne.

I watched this movie, streaming, on Netflix. I had searched for independent films, and the synopsis looked interesting. Overall, I was not disappointed, but it was not exactly what I expected. The lead male roles of Paul (C. Thomas Howell, The Amazing Spiderman) and Malcolm (John-Rhys Davies, Raider of the Lost Ark) were played convincingly by both actors, but the acting of Anory Lyn as Paul's wife, Joanne, was wooden and weak. The story tells of two men from very different walks of life, who are kidnapped by human traffickers in Thailand. Paul is a doctor, who, along with his wife, has come to Thailand after the loss of their daughter. Malcolm is a wealthy, retired executive, remarried after a failed first marriage. The music is superb, as is the cinematography and direction. But, this is not your usual kidnapping movie. What it is is a religious vehicle for Christianity, which turns out to be the focal point of the story. Despite the thinly-veiled proselytizing, Escape is still an enjoyable film with a message. But, it's probably more on the level of a made-for- TV movie, than a major box office production. Rainy day? Nothing else to do? Open your mind and your soul and enjoy it.