John's Gems: A Carpenter Throwback

No EscapeThis is a GREAT movie that IS theater worthy

                Owen Wilson hasn’t been the lead in movie of this caliber since his 2001 military action film Behind Enemy Lines. It’s been 14 years from then to now, here in 2015, and his work has been comprised of mostly comedies, cameos, tv appearances, one “suicide attempt” from some depression, and now back into a leading role whilst standing alone. For the last decade it’s been hard to see Owen Wilson successful in anything as a solo act. I think those who remember Drillbit Taylor (200 ) want to forget it, and those who haven’t seen it are happier for it. The only solo performance of Owen Wilson’s that was well received in the last decade was the animated film Cars (200 ), and later it’s sequel, Cars 2 (200 ). Everything else he’s been in, since 2001, he’s had a co-star. Whether it be Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, or even Jackie Chan, he’s always had someone to bounce his personality off of to successfully use that subtle, laid back, “whoa, whoa, hold the horses” styled comedy. But now he’s back and better than ever. Vaughn has some “Unfinished Buisness” somewhere, Stiller is out being “really, really, ridiculously good looking” for an upcoming sequel, and Jackie is . . . well, ok I don’t know about Jackie, but he wasn’t in this film either. Although this isn’t exactly a military film, it is a battle film, and a lot of it really feels like Behind Enemy Lines in regards to how Owen Wilson’s character, Jack, reacts to the overwhelming danger and probable death that he’s faced with.

                From the very beginning you are gripped by gunshots, screaming, running people, and intensity. As always, I promise I won’t ruin anything for you readers, but the opening sequence is not nearly as shocking as how that sequence ends. What makes the opening sequence so effective is its foreshadowing effect. The opening scene goes from a slow and peaceful feel, to that of fast and terrorizing with-in seconds. You don’t have any time to adjust and it just commands your attention. From that point, your attention, it won’t budge! When the opening sequence ends, as I talked about above, I was left thinking “HOLY CRAP, does this family have any idea what it’s getting into”. Once that scene ends you’re brought to the scene of the family traveling on the plane. They’re heading to the country that you just saw starting to unravel and the sheer suspense of knowing what they’re heading into, and with no warning at that, is intense.  And then, even after they’ve checked in to their beautiful hotel, you begin to notice subtle hints that something’s wrong. Certain utilities aren’t working right, the tv and phones are acting strange, loud noises are heard in the distant background, and it all just seems to make the danger feel like it’s getting closer and closer to Jack and his family.

                The entire set up that presides the action is basically all comedy. It’s a smart move because after such an intense beginning you’re in total suspense and tightly wound, just waiting for the moment when Jack and his family have to start running for their lives. During that time, when you’re in constant suspense, you’re guard is taken down slightly through the comedy. It’s done this way so that when the beginning of the end starts for Jack then you’re still taken by it. The comedy itself is great too. Pierce Brosnan plays Hammond, a mysterious traveler with a troubled past, who meets the family on the plane. He guides the family through these third world waters with his experience and humor. He also introduces his friend who’s there to pick him up from the airport and allows the family to tag along. I won’t ruin it for you but I will say that that little guy is the funniest part of the whole movie, and Kenny Rogers gets a massive shout out . . .

                Now once the humor is over, the subtle hints are no longer subtle . . . or hints, and everything turns into a peek of hell. Gears are switched and in an instant you’re suddenly along for a truly wild ride. What makes a film like this great, as horrible as it may sound, is the deeper sense of depravity explored during the film. When the action or depravity in a film like this plateaus only half way through then you’re left reeling for more when there is none. However, this film has no such problem. It’s a bona fide dive into the deepest layers of hell seen here on Earth. War in the streets, executions by the dozens, death in every way imaginable . . .  and some not so imaginable. Each sequence becomes more extreme than the last. Not only that, but with each passing sequence the increasing desperation is felt through Jack and his family. It’s a desperation to fight and survive, to stay together and stay 10 steps ahead of the enemy, and it’s a desperation felt so well through the immaculate performances by Own Wilson and the supporting cast portraying his family.

 

               The acting is amazing, the action is intense, every scene is more extreme than the last, and the story is set up brilliantly. We get a good supporting performance by Pierce Brosnan, who is a total badass in the film by the way, and the film is approached in a way that feels like it could easily be a true story. Bottom line is, because this story has such a real world application to it, and the fact that the film is so raw and real, this is very easily one of the most horrifying films this year. If you’re a parent then I guarantee, it will absolutely scare the shit out of you. Enjoy!!!