Escape Plan

The script is just stupid enough. I'm simply fascinated by the studio's policy of bringing these over-serving tandems on set under the baton of directorial routinists who operate with the given material more than casually and can only make it work in a few catchy lines and, regarding this film, a unique religious Germanic outburst. Otherwise, it’s essentially a very sterile and fleeting spectacle. (15/08/2014)

Not just a long awaited meeting of two forgotten legends, but a good movie too. As far as possible, of course, there are so many coincidences, stupid decisions taken by the villains and unshocking surprises. But no matter. The structure is old, but the shell is newly painted. An enjoyable struggle between old procedures and modern methods throughout the entire picture, which gave me a pleasant feeling while watching. Stallone appears as a seasoned inmate and escape artist, Schwarzenegger knows how to get his hands on what’s needed and Caviezel represents the assiduous slipperiness so popular today (and he really enjoys it). The other characters are just there to make up the numbers, the most hilarious being “50 Cent" Jackson as a hacker with morals. The final punch-up is very nicely done and when Arnold picks up the machine gun, a smile spreads across the face of all orthodox fans. I don’t want to dwell on the resilience of the helicopter and the subsequent exploding barrels... I suppose it had to be included. Overall I’m satisfied, something that I couldn’t imagine originally. Old school on its best form. + Arnold’s Austrian way of distracting attention - that’s definitely the high point of the movie. (23/10/2013)

B-movie; straightforward and entertaining, originally conceived and refreshed by two veteran icons who in their old age have become even more deeply aware of their role in a colossal movie marathon. But a B-movie nonetheless, predictable, with a stale, truncated and unsurprising plot (starting with the escape plan and ending with Arnie's final "asshole"), and it's more appropriate in this case than elsewhere to play the critic and point out that playing for fun is different from actually being fun. The biggest impression is left by the unpleasantly slimy James Caviezel, who perhaps has never been so good. 65% (09/01/2014)

Futuretro and Sly who makes a lightbulb out of a bungee cord and even uses it to escape prison. Those were the first two feelings I had when I watched this movie. Truth be told, it wasn’t what I’d imagined. Especially the realism was completely off and I’d compare it to Demolition Man, only with one big difference; the lack of one-liners. Sly and Arnold are just acting tough rather than creating some sort of a laid-back atmosphere and emotions. And that’s basically the whole movie. The topic is really interesting when it comes to two action legends, but the director’s take was far too systematic. I didn’t really feel any heart in that. It doesn’t have one-liners, nothing that could elevate such a great idea to a level that could be called legendary. A shame. (10/03/2015)

"You don't look that smart..." Indeed. It is a pity that the script realizes this only after it realizes that two wooden clubs will not produce an intellectual spark. A few of the situations are amusing, Arnie's religious Germanic frenzy is magical, but otherwise it’s a handful of poorly written and dully filmed situations that try to look smart here, dramatic there, but they rather flow by harmlessly (and arouse legitimate smiles). I have a feeling that a similar happening will work at high speed only on a wave of irony and playfulness. And the creators forgot to lock them up in the same prison. I don't know if I dreamed of meeting Sly and Arnie, but since I'm a fan of both, I would justifiably expect some greater emotion than the embarrassed smile on my face when Sly punched Arnie. It's gone. Oh well. [55%] (11/10/2013)