(aka, Escape from Absolom)
Here we have a big, lushly produced, competently made, thrill packed, high-concept action film…
Which completely bombed at the theater.
These things happen.
I’m not entirely sure why it failed. No Escape is, admittedly, a somewhat familiar sort of story, a bit of a cross between Escape from New York and The Road Warrior. But it is well-made, even lavish, and delivers generous amounts of thrills and a few clever ideas.
Which puts it way ahead of most action movies.
Somewhere not too far into the future, a disgraced former Special Forces soldier who killed his commanding officer is thrown in the ultimate prison from which there can be no escape: the island of Absolom.
Prisoners are just dumped on the island and forced to survive on their own, with only the occasional supply drop to ensure that they don’t starve. Those on the island, who are all desperate criminals who committed terrible deeds, have divided into two main groups: the bands of ruthless savages who occupy most of the island, and The Insiders, who have created a peaceful civilization which supplies most of their physical needs: food, clothing, shelter, and, of course, beer.
Ray Liotta plays J.T. Robbins, and, while we know he did actually murder his commander in cold blood, it is far from clear why he did it or whether he is good or bad.
However, as the film keeps reminding us, everyone there — even the most peaceful of the Insiders — is guilty of horrible crimes.
I’ll confess that I find this an intriguing notion: the Insiders have been forced to change their lives and re-evaluate their past behavior, in order to build a halfway decent society for themselves. It’s rare to find a redemptive arc written so strongly into the barbarians vs. a burgeoning new civilization story we find in so many post-Apocalyptic films.
Ray is backed up by a solid cast, with Lance Henriksen as Father, the leader of the Insiders, Ernie Hudson as his security chief, and Michael Lerner as the warden. However, the real standout is Stuart Wilson as Marek, the psychotic leader of the largest and most powerful gang on the island, who gives a remarkable and unexpected performance that makes his ruthless leader more of a murderous game show host.
While No Escape failed in the theaters, it proved that its director, Martin Campbell had a knack for high energy action movies. He went on to make Goldeneye and Casino Royale, which rejuvenated the Bond franchise, as well as The Mask of Zorro and Terminal Limit.
It’s good to know someone got something out of the production.
Look, this is a violent and gory film which kills off someone we like in a particularly brutal way. If you are expecting traditional science fiction trappings, well, there are a few in the opening sequence.
But not many. After all, this one is set in the near future.
However, If you are instead looking for a big budget action film, then you’ll be far more satisfied.
After all, that’s what No Escape does best…
rivets on the poster 