No Escape (1994)

From the director of Goldeneye. The year is 2022 . A former marine captain has been sentenced to life on a remote island prison where the most violent and feared criminals have been secured. There is no escape ... or is there?

No Escape

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. June 7, 2008

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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. April 5, 2006

Overlooked And Underrated Liotta Vehicle

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. October 30, 2005

My favourite action movie of all times !!!!!!!

"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!!! July 17, 2005

NOT QUITE ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

No Escape liberally borrows a number of different plot elements from 1981's Escape from New York. An Island prison set in the near future where none can escape from and the prisoners have fallen under the leadership of powerful, tribal-like warlords. Escape from New York did it better and Manhattan Island makes for a much more interesting prison than a delsolate jungle island. But that's not to say "No Escape" isn't good. It is, it's just not totally original.

Ray Liotta plays Robbins, a soldier who shoots his commanding officer after a botched attack kills hundreds of innocent villagers. Robbins is sent to the Island prison called Absolom, where no one has ever escaped from. The Island is comprised of two warring factions: The Outsiders who are a savage, tribal group led by a ruthless warlord named Marek (Stuart Wilson), and the Insiders, a more peaceful, communal group led by the zen-like "Father" (Lance Henricksen).

Robbins is captured by the Outsiders and is tested by Marek in a death match with another member. Robbins dispatches him quickly, impressing Marek who offers Robbins a "position on his staff". Robbins wants no part and escapes, eventually being taken in by the insiders. The insiders have built a community where they farm, raise livestock, and have built simple machines like windmills, looms, and stills. They constantly have to fight off raids from The Outsiders and can use a man like Robbins.

There are several battle scenes as the Outsiders raid the Insiders wooden fortress, meanwhile the warden of the prison played by Michael Lerner keeps a close eye on things, especially Robbins through satellites, and other hi-tech means.

No Escape is a solid if unoriginal action/sci-fi flick. The characters are pretty two-dimensional. Lerner is the ruthless Warden, Ernie Hudson is Hawkins, the head of security for the Insiders, Kevin Dillon is Casey, the young prisoner who gets attached to Robbins, and Kevin J. O'Connor is the conniving supply man Stephano. The movie is derivitive of so many others but is well made and fun. Good escapist action. March 14, 2005

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