No Escape
Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: August 26, 2015
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 169 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
92
Mixed:
55
Negative:
22
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6
Rebecca31Nov 8, 2015
So I went to see this yesterday, an action/thriller starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and Pierce (I'm not James Bond anymore but I can still use a gun) Brosnan. I had very strong reservations about this, what with the casting choice and theSo I went to see this yesterday, an action/thriller starring Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and Pierce (I'm not James Bond anymore but I can still use a gun) Brosnan. I had very strong reservations about this, what with the casting choice and the early critic reviews, it is however, hugely intense, fresh and entertaining. I might even say the critics are overly harsh on this, no it's not perfect but it doesn't deserve all the hate. Not too long with good pacing and the ability to let the story unfold. Recommended.
(the Owen Wilson "wow" count only clocked in at 2 throughout the entire film, so that's good)… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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6
tropicAcesAug 26, 2015
Look, is it good? Not really. But damn it, is it intense. And Wilson does a solid job in a role I didn't think he was capable of pulling off. If all you want is some B-level thrills and some edge-of-you-seat moments, then this will quenchLook, is it good? Not really. But damn it, is it intense. And Wilson does a solid job in a role I didn't think he was capable of pulling off. If all you want is some B-level thrills and some edge-of-you-seat moments, then this will quench your late-summer thirst.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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4
LowbrowCinemaAug 29, 2015
The opening sequence is so dreadful I nearly plotzed in anticipation. Bad movies like this don't come around often BUT then NO ESCAPE actually gets quite damn good. Another xenophobic B-movie in the tradition of TAKEN. BUT, yest another but,The opening sequence is so dreadful I nearly plotzed in anticipation. Bad movies like this don't come around often BUT then NO ESCAPE actually gets quite damn good. Another xenophobic B-movie in the tradition of TAKEN. BUT, yest another but, the whole things just falls apart and becomes an unwelcome bore. Totally bummed me out because I was really enjoying myself.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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5
tjman09Aug 26, 2015
No Escape is a cliched, generic action film that struggles framing good action, but does have a few good performances. Seeing Owen Wilson in an action film had me concerned, surprisingly he and Lake Bell gave good performances. Despite thatNo Escape is a cliched, generic action film that struggles framing good action, but does have a few good performances. Seeing Owen Wilson in an action film had me concerned, surprisingly he and Lake Bell gave good performances. Despite that the film fails, for a multitude of reasons, most notably the story. The story is both generic and predictable, on top of that the story is a little too complex. Besides the story almost all of the characters have no development, besides Lake Bell's character who had a good amount of development. The villains were weak as they felt like nothing but faceless villains, if it weren't for one line of dialogue we'd have no idea why they are trying to kill these people. Lastly the camerawork is bad, there's absurd amounts of shaky cam, and the action sequences are almost impossible to follow. In conclusion the generic plot, weak character development and villains, and poorly shot action sequences make No Escape a mediocre action film, despite a good turn by Owen Wilson.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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4
EpicLadySpongeJan 3, 2016
I cannot resist Owen Wilson being in this movie so the score's at 4 right now. No Escape is just another cheesy disaster movie that we don't even need.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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4
ClariseSamuelsOct 25, 2016
Despite some of the appallingly bad reviews of this film, I had to download it from Netflix if only because Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan are two of my all-time favorite actors. Fortunately, with a Netflix film, you can watch it on yourDespite some of the appallingly bad reviews of this film, I had to download it from Netflix if only because Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan are two of my all-time favorite actors. Fortunately, with a Netflix film, you can watch it on your desktop computer without forcing your unsuspecting spouse to share your fandom preferences, and you can fast-forward the movie over the parts lacking in substance, which in this case was about half the film.

A lovely young WASPy couple with the bland name of Dwyer (Lake Bell and Owen Wilson) are on their way to an unidentified Southeast Asian country that is possibly Thailand, where the dad has accepted a good job as a waterworks engineer. The movie opens stylishly with high production values as we see the kindly prime minister of this venerable land get assassinated in spite of the watchful eye of his devoted bodyguard. When the bodyguard realizes that his leader has been killed, he commits harakiri.

From there, we switch suddenly to a happy family of four on an airplane, and the focus is now on the Dwyers. The Dwyers arrive the day of the Revolution, and after enjoying only one peaceful morning in their city hotel, they suddenly realize that they are trapped in the pits of hell. The rebels want to kill all the Westerners in town, which would not seem to be in line with their political agenda, since they presumably want to stage a government coup (the film was originally entitled “The Coup”) and not carry out some kind of fanatical, terrorist mission against all evil Westerners.

The cinematic tension focuses on the Dwyers’ two little girls since the parents are most concerned about their safety and well-being. For example, when Jack Dwyer comes home from having witnessed a violent street scene and wants his family to leave immediately, the older daughter is missing because she decided to go swimming in the hotel pool by herself even though she’s not old enough to go anywhere by herself. It is necessary for the cinematic suspense, but highly unlikely that the daughter would have slipped past her overprotective mom, who never even noticed she had left the room.

Owen Wilson is always adorable in comedic scenarios. Here his acting range is being stretched to the limits, but he just about gets to where he needs to be as a desperate dad trying to save his family. Lake Bell, another good comedy actor, is also attempting to reach the outer periphery of her range and also with limited success. It doesn’t help that she has a weak script with lines like, “Oh, man, I’m scared,” as she is about to make a death-defying leap from one rooftop to another. Brosnan’s role as Hammond, a British government agent, is gritty and noticeably downplays his still handsome profile. He explains to Jack Dwyer that his operatives encouraged the now fallen government to allow Western control of the country’s industry, and thus the Brits were indirectly responsible for the upheaval. This role might have given Brosnan some bite, but he is a secondary character that is never fully developed.

The title “No Escape” has echoes of Sartre’s “No Exit.” But Sartre envisioned hell being a place where one is stuck for eternity with people one does not like, as in the Sartrean proclamation “hell is other people.” In this film hell is Southeast Asia when the masses are out of control, and it’s no longer about eating authentic Thai food and taking quaint photographs of flute players and fishing boats.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
TyranianApr 14, 2020
Reasonably entertaining with good acting but some of the scenes are too unbelievable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
quincytheodoreSep 8, 2015
Banged up abroad: Hide your wife, hide your kids.

The best appeal from No Escape is not the anarchic story, return of Owen Wilson to action genre or typical underlying hidden agenda, but the intensely involving atmosphere. The feeling ofBanged up abroad: Hide your wife, hide your kids.

The best appeal from No Escape is not the anarchic story, return of Owen Wilson to action genre or typical underlying hidden agenda, but the intensely involving atmosphere. The feeling of riot is easily translated on-screen with fast editing and presentable family. Its perilous journey of survival is gripping and while it does have a few problems at latter half, it does enough for an enjoyable thriller.

Owen Wilson plays as Jack, a father and husband who must relocate his entire family to an exotic country for his new job. Unfortunately for him, the moment he touches down on said country a widespread unrest happens. Angry local mob decides to kill foreigner for alleged economy monopoly, not the kind of activity you'd find on tourist pamphlet, and Jack now must use his wit and lots of luck to save himself and his family.

Visual is its greatest strength. It has just the right touch of realism from the setting and over-the-top sequences for dire situation. For most of the time camera follows Jack very closely, almost as in documentary perspective but still manages to find the dramatic angles when needs be. It's a great vehicle to create suspense and it has just enough steam to be engaging until the end.

Jack's family of his wife and two little girls is definitely a decent on-screen characters. It plays the right scenes to tug sympathy from audience. When the moment these girls whimper plays, though the acting or material doesn't hit the realistic effect intended, might even be slightly cheap, it remains a palpable plot device.

The latter half fares slightly worse than its high octane opening. There are just too many Deus Ex Machina moments when stuff explodes or help comes at the nick of time to be believable. Furthermore, the propaganda agenda feels like it's shoehorned in, mainly to introduce Pierce Brosnan's character. The backstory of the danger itself is far from fully fleshed out.

It may feel implausible at times, but the pleasant details of the setting and presentation of the turmoil makes No Escape into a delightful action survival.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Trev29Dec 19, 2015
The movie is decent and pretty straightforward. The premise works well for the most part. However, there isn't really anything special about it that makes this movie stand out.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
NickLikesMoviesOct 7, 2015
In poor taste, but is undeniably thrilling at points. The first half is okay enough, but the second half is very slow and quite boring. Owen Wilson and Lake Bell give respectable performances, but are weak characters.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
ThegodfathersonAug 26, 2015
It was intense, all right, I gotta tell you that. But, as a movie, No Escape falls apart faster than you think. Owen Wilson didn't deem fit for the role, I mean like I KNEW from the moment the trailer dropped that this was bad casting. He isIt was intense, all right, I gotta tell you that. But, as a movie, No Escape falls apart faster than you think. Owen Wilson didn't deem fit for the role, I mean like I KNEW from the moment the trailer dropped that this was bad casting. He is a comic actor and seeing him in a serious role was out of the bloom and unexpected. The story is about a family who move to Asia, and get ambushed by the government launching an all out war, as the family get stuck in the trenches, their only choice is escape from this hell. The story seemed like a good idea on paper, but when you see it in action, it becomes too damn predictable. Sure, there was plenty of violence and heart stopping chases, but it was mediocre and predictable. Pierce Bronsan was decent as an army soldier that helps the family. Acting overall was alright, I expected much more from these versatile actors. The action sequences are some of the most intense I have EVER SEEN. It may not be the best movie, but No Escape is very, terror filled, heart stopping and intense entertainment. It's a shame that these thrills couldn't be put on a better film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
SchnitzelPoofAug 20, 2018
An intense film that really manages to confer the error that sudden brutality can bring to someone used to living in a civilized nation.
The children, however, reacted with an entitled stubbornness that doesn't seem likely outside protectedAn intense film that really manages to confer the error that sudden brutality can bring to someone used to living in a civilized nation.
The children, however, reacted with an entitled stubbornness that doesn't seem likely outside protected suburbia, especially when people are being chopped with machetes a couple of meters away.
Pierce Brosnan got too little screen-time for my liking. I was hoping he'd play a bigger role, but that would reduce from the feeling of terrified suspense, which I guess is what the makers were aiming for.
They also managed to shove in an anti-western, anti-corporate message that nobody asked for, possibly to please the same people that hated the movie anyway for its "xenophobia."
In summary, an above average experience, but nothing Earth shattering.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
DavidV293Apr 3, 2016
Well I'm not really sure if I actually liked this movie or not. The plot is simple and easy, and the action was somewhat a little off. Like there are action scenes where it left me with a "What the hell" face and there are scenes where I saidWell I'm not really sure if I actually liked this movie or not. The plot is simple and easy, and the action was somewhat a little off. Like there are action scenes where it left me with a "What the hell" face and there are scenes where I said "Damn". The movie picked up some fun but than it also left me with no happy ending. Owen Wilson did a decent job and I want to see more from him in future action movies. I personally believe that it could've been better.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
CineAutoctonoDec 19, 2015
"No Escape " was very shocking , but why so much disapproval of criticism? , Lacking ? , What went wrong ? , If all goes well this review is for the disapproval of criticism are not so bad , please!. And something more charm to film me by"No Escape " was very shocking , but why so much disapproval of criticism? , Lacking ? , What went wrong ? , If all goes well this review is for the disapproval of criticism are not so bad , please!. And something more charm to film me by shocking scenes , excellent sobreun coup plot , and know that Lake Bell, looks like Amanda Peet , lol.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Sidd_Movie_BuffOct 26, 2015
No Escape is directed and written by John Erik Dowdle. It stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, and Lake Bell.

No escape revolves around a business man and his family's move to Thailand. Prior to this move Jack Dwyer(Owen Wilson) is offered aNo Escape is directed and written by John Erik Dowdle. It stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, and Lake Bell.

No escape revolves around a business man and his family's move to Thailand. Prior to this move Jack Dwyer(Owen Wilson) is offered a job in Thailand that he simply can't refuse. This leads him to move his entire family there. Soon there after a riot breaks out and the rioters plan to kill any and all foreigners. Now Jack must find a safe haven for him and his family before they to are are hunted down with no escape.

No escape is an all-around popcorn flick. That is the fact that must be examined while reviewing this movie. What I mean by this is I didn't have any expectation of an Oscar winner going into this movie. i was looking for a thrilling and energetic movie. Did I get one? Not really.

I'm not saying No Escape was a terrible movie there were quite a few positives. For one Owen Wilson gives it his all and for the most part his portrayal of Jack Dwyer is very entertaining. Another good performance was that of Pierce Brosnan. He was mostly the comic relief of the movie and succeeded at that. Kudos to you Mr. Bond. I enjoyed the first half of the movie a lot. There was a genuine feeling of dread and some great shots. The cinematography was excellent and gave the film a dark and malicious vibe. The score played perfectly with the cinematography adding some serious suspense. I think the thing I liked most in the first half of the movie is that Owen Wilson was a normal guy not some secret spy trained in acrobatic espionage. The first half of the movie made him vulnerable and that's why it works so well.

Onto the negatives. I absolutely despised the kids. The younger one was more tolerable seeing that in a situation like that someone that young would react that way. But the 11 year old was the worst. She had to be carried everywhere and was an all-round nuisance to not only her parents but to the audience as well. Equally annoying if not more was the constantly crying Lake Bell in her portrayal of Annie Dwyer. With three central characters this irritating its hard to sympathize. The biggest negative for me was the entire second half. The movie's shaky cam rises as does the utterly unbelievable plot developments especially someone's second coming. The film tries to add depth to the rioters by giving them a half baked motivation touched upon through 4 sentences given nearing the end. It, as expected, fails due to Dowdle's unwillingness to show Americans in a bad light. I think one of the final nails in this inescapable coffin is the fact that somehow in the course of 6 hours Owen Wilson is pulling of Liam Neason level moves. But, the single worst part about the movie was the ending. It was so far fetched and unbelievable that people in my theater left before the credits started rolling. The ending relied on an inside joke that no one really cared about in the first place. Just plain bad.

I had fun with the first half of No Escape and painfully sat through the second half. I recommend seeing this movie and leaving around the 50 minute mark. Make up your own ending I guarantee it'll be better that the one actually put to the film. No Escape gets a C or a 4/10. There's no escaping the fact that this movie is plain mediocre.… Expand
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5
BenTheBrownieDec 9, 2015
This plothole riddled mayhem flick starring Owen Wilson and the two worst child actors I've seen all year. Doesn't build any tension because of it being the cliche hollywood remake. It doesn't care about it's characters because you areThis plothole riddled mayhem flick starring Owen Wilson and the two worst child actors I've seen all year. Doesn't build any tension because of it being the cliche hollywood remake. It doesn't care about it's characters because you are supposed to care for them because Owen Wilson has kids... I guess? This movie is a fun cheese fest that you can watch with a bunch of friends and have a good time but it is far from perfect or ten out of ten flawless… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
EduardoCunhaJan 3, 2016
"No Escape" é um suspense intenso, sem dúvidas. Possui atuações convincentes - principalmente a do Owen - e boa direção, o que te seguram no sofá até o desfecho final. Todavia, o enredo é absolutamente previsível e, quando os créditos sobem,"No Escape" é um suspense intenso, sem dúvidas. Possui atuações convincentes - principalmente a do Owen - e boa direção, o que te seguram no sofá até o desfecho final. Todavia, o enredo é absolutamente previsível e, quando os créditos sobem, conclui-se que do modo que o filme é apresentado, a estória acaba por se tornar racista. A origem do conflito central é muito mal explorada, deixando pontas soltas. Ainda assim, se você procura por tensão e ação do começo ao fim, este filme é bastante recomendado.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
KaptenVideoDec 9, 2016
Cheap-looking but mostly functional old-fashioned thriller about American family in unnamed Asian country caught in the middle of the coup, trying to escape to freedom.

Watchable during the first hour, it gets gradually more monotonous andCheap-looking but mostly functional old-fashioned thriller about American family in unnamed Asian country caught in the middle of the coup, trying to escape to freedom.

Watchable during the first hour, it gets gradually more monotonous and boring in the last 40 minutes. It could be just another straight to video thriller if it didn't have Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan in starring roles. Sadly, there are no interesting characters or plot which consists mostly of trying to sneak past murderous Asians in locales that seem like leftovers from last "Rambo" movie. Which was great, by the way.

The biggest draw here is certainly watching Owen Wilson not doing his usual schtick as aloof but really sweet guy who talks a lot. He still is all that, kind of, but setting is much more horrifying, and he even gets some blood on his hands.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
EmileeChadwickMar 17, 2021
Kept my adrenaline pumping and me on the edge of my seat. Was not expecting such a fast pace plot but it is pulled off perfectly. Definitely a different role than normal for Owen Wilson but this film shows how diverse of an actor he is andKept my adrenaline pumping and me on the edge of my seat. Was not expecting such a fast pace plot but it is pulled off perfectly. Definitely a different role than normal for Owen Wilson but this film shows how diverse of an actor he is and how well he can pull off serious and dynamic characters. Recommend for sure!… Expand
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