The Reel: Escape Plan

I’m not sure if this movie is entirely Independent, but it sure fell under the radar. Even though I grew up watching Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, I was a bit skeptical about watching Escape Plan as I thought it was going to be the typical action movie. Boy was I wrong! The movie turned out to be fun, engaging with an interesting and unique plot. I’m surprised it didn’t make a lot of noise.

First off let’s acknowledge the fact that Stallone and Schwarzenegger are in their 60s and are still believable in their stunts and still doing a great job at it. Looking that good at that age is not easy.

Ray Breslin played by Sloan is the Houdini of jails. He is the world’s authority on structural security and keeping inmates in. Him and his team offer their services (but his services really, since he’s the one doing all the hard work) to “jail owners” or “builders and designers”, often by entering the system as a prisoner himself and executing a thought out escape plan to prove that the security system is flawed. Ray’s skills are eventually put to the test when he finds himself locked up in an unofficial facility whose problematic inmates are meant to “disappear”. A facility that is not only off the radar, but also has the highest type of security, with the most advanced and high tech tools and methods. A facility designed by the warden Hobbes. Why is this important you ask? Well Hobbes, played by Jim Caviezel (who does a phenomenal job by the way) is a huge fan of Ray Breslin and the book he wrote on designing unescapable prisons. In fact Hobbes designed this facility using Breslin’s books and suggestions.

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a German inmate named Rottmeyer, who befriends Breslin. Schwarzenegger plays a great supporting role here. His acting is the same, and he actually brings a lot to the humor of the movie. I’ve watched many of his movies before when I was a kid, but I’ve only noticed his interesting sense of humor since the Expandables. I wonder if it was always there.

I don’t want to give too much away because the element of surprise is such an important part of enjoying this movie. One thing I would say, is that I wouldn’t wish for my worst enemy to go to that prison. If you are looking for a good entertaining and unexpectedly smart action film, then this is for you!

I give it 5 stars out of 5