No Escape: Movie Review

While watching the new Owen Wilson action-thriller “No Escape”, I often got the feeling that I was watching a mediocre horror film. Not because the events the family goes through are so horrific, but that the tone feels so similar to a straight horror flick. That is probably because it was written and directed by John Erick Dowdle (“The Poughkeepsie Tapes”, “Quarantine”, “Devil”, “As Above, So Below”).

“No Escape” actually starts off pretty strong with a violent coup in Southeast Asia that begins just hours after the Dwyer family arrive to start their new life. Unfortunately the moment Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson) tosses his two daughters from one rooftop to another, things go from thrilling to stupid and then to predictable. The thrills begin to dissipate after the initial attack.

Wilson can actually carry an action film, for those who don’t remember 2001’s “Behind Enemy Lines” and he is good here as well, but the writing isn’t. Pierce Brosnan has a supporting role as a mysterious traveler that shows up at just the right moments throughout the film to save the family from certain death. Even with the sup-par writing, Bronson still manages to entertain. I just wish his character was given more screen time.

“No Escape” isn’t terrible. The first thirty minutes are really good, but not good enough to make up for the rest of it. Even the bad guys (who are really just defending the rights of their families) are so cookie-cutter. This might be worth checking out on cable or streaming if you are a fan of the cast and the genre, but it’s not worth shelling out $11+ for a ticket to see it in the theater.

By: Marc Ferman