Excellent, smart action film.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This film has at last been released on Blu-Ray, though apparently only in Australia. It was a good excuse to see it again, I remember how much I liked it when I first saw it many years ago. It's a prescient vision of a horrible future (but only four years away now!) when prisons are run by private firms for profit and recalcitrant prisoners are sent to the island of Absolom to finish each other off. The plot, such as it is, provides lots of opportunities for gory scenes and exuberant special effects, and the landscapes look even lusher in high definition. There are some great performances, but my favourite has to be Ian McNeice as the hypochondriac and finicky Tom King, who more than makes up for the total absence of women in the film. Enjoy.

You would probably find this film very cheesy, but also pretty darn fun. This is your typical mid-90's action B-film that lacks the brains, but certainly not the brawn. I enjoyed this film very much for what it is and I came away with a smile on my face. It's obvious that the actors were having fun and were giving it all they got. Yes, the special effects may not be the best, but I'm not complaining.Martin Campbell's film is set in the near future and we meet a former Marine named John Robbins who is sent to life imprisonment because he murdered his commanding officer. He is sent by the Warden to an island full of savages and now it's his goal to escape without being killed.The acting was pretty good for the kind of film it is. The actors were definitely having a fun time with the film. Ray Liotta is a great, underrated actor. I liked seeing some B-name stars like Lance Henriksen, Stuart Wilson, and Ernie Hudson. They really add to the campy, fun feel of the film.Overall, this is a good film that is good to watch on any weekend or when you're not in a serious film-watching mood. I would just shut my brains off and enjoy the film as it is, rather than picking it apart like people like to do. This is a fun film and that's all it is. It's full of crazy action, stunts, some mild humor, and some cool sci-fi. I rate this film 9/10.

It's 2022 and Captain John Robbins is convicted of murder and sent to a maximum security prison. Refusing to accept the brutal regime, Robbins rebels and promptly gets sent to a secret place where only the toughest can survive. Absolom, a jungle island inhabited by two groups, The Outsiders and The Insiders. Will John pick a side,? or will he merely go it alone, carrying his anger along the way?.Directed by Martin Campbell {Goldeneye/Casino Royale} and starring Ray Liotta {Robbins}, Lance Henriksen, Kevin Dillon, Ernie Hudson and Stuart Wilson. No Escape is adapted from the novel written by Richard Herley. Naturally it's all complete nonsense, and it for sure feels like a blending of all the other prison/sci-fi/apocalyptic films that have come our way over the years {think Mad Max in Alcatraz type thing}. But it has such an adventurous fun about it, the familiarity of it all is quickly forgotten. The cast appear to be having a great time, Liotta looks like, and acts like he's the hardest man on the planet, Henriksen is smooth in a peaceful role, while Stuart Wilson is revelling in bad guy duties. Campbell knows how to direct action sequences, and here he delivers well within the relatively small budget {it was shot on location in parts of Australia}. For those inclined it's suitably violent, while the story and vision of the future itself is certainly of interest to the discerning sci-fi fan.Not one to remotely take serious of course, but check the brain in at the door and run with it. Because then you may just enjoy its trashy splendour. 6/10

I've seen this film many times over the years, as it has great re watch value. It is actually surprisingly good for a reasonably unheard of movie, and would be fair to say this is one of those gems your lucky to find.John Robbins (Liotta) is a decorated marine sent to a ultra strict maximum security prison for killing his superior officer. He does not stay there for long however, as he is banished to 'Absolum' a monitored island in a guarded stretch of water. Here, prisoners are no longer really prisoners, as there are no rules, no bars, no guards, just you and them. By them I mean "the outsiders", a bunch of savages desperately struggling for survival under the leadership of the vicious dread-locked Walter Marrik (Wilson).Then there are "the insiders", a society of former and somewhat rehabilitated inmates who live a peaceful and structured life, in a makeshift but well guarded fortress. They live under rules and respect each other, unlike the feral outsiders who have no code of honour.Classic lines, likable characters and solid action make this a film in its own right. The film boasts many good combat/battle scenes, and the gripping feel of the film sets in early and stays till the end.