Escape Plan

Now tell me the truth.  How many of you have been desperately waiting for Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger sharing a significant amount of screen time together.  Not just an excuse with a corny dialogue thrown in (read Expendables) but one where these two cult figures have major lead roles.  So much that the Tamil remake is being called “Kedi Rambo Killaadi Arnold” – I couldn’t stop laughing!!!

I was one of those fans (and that’s putting it mildly), waiting for this to happen.  Escape Plan gives you not only a flick that has these great stars together but also a story to boot and good one at that.  It is fast paced, different, well made, has those corny dialogues that you associate with Stallone and Arnie and most of all it was entertaining.  Now what more could you have asked for?

Ray Breslin (Stallone) has a unique job. He has spent the past 7 years breaking out of Federal Prisons.  The idea is like the movie SNEAKERS (Ethical Hackers) – except it has to do with spending jail time.  He also has a book to his credit that is considered to be the bible for prison design across the world.

His next assignment is with the CIA – a high security vault that houses the most lethal of all criminals from across the world.  As Breslin is about to start his assignment, he gets kidnapped and bought to a place where he cannot figure much out.  The warden – Hobbes (Jim Caviezel) is a terror – ice cold at that.

After several attempts from Rottmayer (Arnold), Breslin finally befriends him.  Over time, a relationship is formed and they plan to break out together only to find out that they are on a 1000’ x 200’ monstrous ship in the middle of nowhere.  Breslin’s toughest assignment to date but one that he is determined to complete.

What I liked about Escape Plan is the story.  The concept of breaking out of a Prison – an impossible one at that – is just too exciting.  Add to that, the complexities of the Prison design that was extremely well thought through – will make for an interesting video game if the makers are interested.  The film is fast paced in most parts except for a period in the middle where you it gets really slow and nothing happens.

Both Arnold and Stallone are at their natural best.  Stallone with the trademark scowl on his face and Arnold with corny dialogues like, “You hit like a vegetarian”.  The escape sequences are thrilling and the fights are again atypical Rocky meets Commando with bullets flying all over the place.  Jim Caviezel is as ice cold as he normally is but this time I thought he went a tad over board.

What I didn’t quite like about Escape Plan was the attention to detailing that was missed out in some parts.  Also, some of the stuff went unexplained.  Like how do the guys get a knife into a prison or a circular metal plate into the isolation cell.  Like in most Arnie/Sly movies, you may need to ignore these gaffes.  But in all, a movie worth watching.  I liked it.  I am sure you will too.  6.5 on 10.

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4037650713/?ref_=tt_ov_vi