Escape Is Impossible is a free film adaptation of the novel Prison Colony, which was released in 1987 by Richard Hurley. According to the plot of the work, the British government placed a prison on one of the islands, where prisoners were dropped from helicopters for further survival.
And there the main character had to face both savages and civilized society. General outlines, as it becomes clear, really say that Martin Campbell freely interpreted the “Prison colony”, because a large number of nuances (including the crime for which the main character was convicted) are different.
Captain J.T. Robbins (Ray Liotta) convicted of the murder of an officer became a prisoner of just such an island prison, and he immediately had to meet with a tribe of “savages” or simply put bandits who on the island did not betray their criminal creed.
Robbins chooses his side, but does so reluctantly, because his military past does not let go. According to some flashbacks, it can be concluded that the hero of Ray Liotta suffers from PTSD - post-traumatic stress disorder, which was caused by the fact of the death of a mass of innocent people killed on the criminal order of the authorities.
Therefore, at first, this character avoids armed conflicts and takes up arms only when absolutely necessary. However, as it happens in the movies, the main character still makes his choice, because he understands that this island war will eventually catch up with him.
It’s one of the few films (John Carpenter’s The Thing comes to mind) that doesn’t have any female characters at all. Campbell removed all vanilla from the brackets, presenting the viewer with an authoritarian society (and in the film one of the characters explicitly says this, referring to the fact that he survives on the island for 7 years and has power on it), in which the ball is ruled by cruel male laws.
Disobedience = death.
Insubordination = death.
He threatened the life of his “tribe” – death.
That is, in fact, “Escape is impossible” is an absolutely serious movie in which there is no place not only for vanilla, but even for jokes. In an hour and a half I counted four scenes in which Ray Liotta smiles. No Escape is about survival and the characters of the picture are definitely not up to jokes, especially in the situation in which they find themselves when they need to be on guard always. And if you doze off at night, one eye should always be open.
In fact, I do not really like such films in which the future “walks” in torn pants, as in the same “Mad Max” or “Mad Max”, but “Escape is impossible” hooked. Perhaps the fact that he watched this film for the first time after Liotta passed away and a positive impression of the picture is based on the fact that he saw the project before unknown.
But look at you. I do not impose my opinion on anyone.
Absolom - the island of murderers and desperate souls
Martin Campbell is one of those directors who know a lot about blockbusters, competently filling them with all the necessary components for building bright, dynamic and exciting stories. But, as in all areas of life, in order to become a strong pro in something, you need to fill your hand. And he did so early in his career, mostly directing series like hundreds of his colleagues. Having shot a couple of thrillers, one of which is “Advocate for a Killer” with Bacon, Campbell was entrusted with the first, not to say, large-budget, but still more ambitious project in the genre of adventure fiction. At first glance, it seems that we have a film designed to go straight to the video, since its plot, tone and presentation in technical and dramatic terms are not as licked as those of larger studio brothers in the genre. Such as “Water World” with Kevin Costner or “Remember Everything” with Schwarzenegger. But at the same time, to say that “Escape” is purely B-ash language also will not turn, because in the tape there is no such thing, but the scope is felt, and many scenes look quite spectacular. Hence, it turns out that this picture, as it were, between heaven and earth, is not in a bunch of strong samples, but at the same time not somewhere in the backyard direct to video.
The picture begins with the fact that a convicted marine captain is sentenced to imprisonment on the island of Absolom, which is supposedly illegally created by the head of one of the colonies, and on which the most dangerous criminals from all over the country are located. It is impossible to escape from this island, and to live in it for more than a couple of months is a real miracle. Once in this lush place, Captain John Robbins immediately encounters a group of savage bandits, from whom he barely carries his feet. His barely alive is picked up and nursed by people from the opposite caste, whose number is several times smaller, but the laws and orders are more or less human. There, John learns about the confrontation between these two clans, as well as that some members of the newly formed community are planning to escape from the island, in order to tell the world about what is happening inside him. No one is in control of the situation. Once a day, helicopters drop food and fly away, trying not to pay attention to attacks, murders and other lawlessness. John clearly decides for himself that he must escape from here by all possible means, and no matter how his fellow misfortune prevents this, he will stop at nothing.
They give out tape details. In the details almost always lies the essence. For example, it is completely incomprehensible to me how a small group of inmates defended themselves all this time against a horde of complete psychopaths, which, if desired, could long ago consume them not only in numbers, but also in their methods of conducting attacks. Especially implausible here is the episode in which, after an attack on the community of John, the leaders of the villains escape with their army at the moment when his group has already penetrated into the guarded camp and practically took it. It all looked completely ill-conceived and fake. As if the authors had to provide the tape with some action to the climactic confrontation, in order to give the picture dynamism and fill the timekeeping, but no one especially bothered with the competent construction of all this. The lack of a large budget here also affects, since there are no special stunt productions, any large-scale structures and scenery, as well as other various technical features, which abound in 100 millionth blockbusters. But, on the other hand, fans of adventure action films should like the film, because it has a juicy and colorful entourage, as well as many episodes with fights, shooters and other charms of the genre.
In some places, the tape looks very exciting. Already the first escape of John from the camp of savages, led by Walter Marek, played by the stunning Stuart Wilson, who later migrated from this picture of Campbell to The Mask of Zorro, turned out to be incredibly exciting. The spectacular chase through the jungle, furnished with all sorts of traps, ended with an impressive fall of the hero’s heads from a huge waterfall. And by itself, the island of Absolom here looks so alive and bright that its picturesque and insanely colorful corners will sit in memory for a long time after viewing. It is said that Ray Liotta so much wanted to replenish the filmography with the image of the action hero that he immediately gave his consent to the shooting. What can I say? I am boundlessly sympathetic to this now-deceased lyceum, but I cannot but admit that in negative or simply more characteristic roles he looks more natural. Alas, but the heroic and pathetic images do not suit him very well - some special charm and charisma are lacking. Like, for example, the same Willis or Costner will never have the skill to reincarnate in the characteristic antagonists, whom Ray so masterfully and repeatedly played. I guess everyone has their own. I think that if the film shot, and she, unfortunately, could not recoup her $20 million budget, we would see Liotta in the form of action heroes much more often. If we talk about the rest of the acting work, then there is no one to single out here. Except for Stuart Wilson. An interesting one turned out to be egocentric, but with overplaying places too much. And Lance Henrickson here, as always, plays Lance Henrickson. That’s why I love him.
P.S. We have a kind of pen test - the first attempt of Martin Campbell to shoot an action blockbuster. It turned out fascinating and beautiful, but in visual and dramatic plans it is still a little poor - the film blows a bit with B-category paintings. It is also worth considering that this contributes to a small budget. A year later, the director will be entrusted with “Golden Eye”, and then “The Mask of Zorro” with “Vertical Limit”, in which he will show himself as a sufficiently strong director who can work with scale and create truly large projects. The creative apogee of the director will reach with the restart of Bond 2006 (Casino Royale), presenting the world one of the best series of the franchise.
6 out of 10
90s movies are great. This image, this music, these ideas, it's a tremendous expression of the spirit that movies were watched by the whole family, regardless of genre. So, this action movie I could watch hundreds of times as a child, but my hands did not reach.
The film caught on from the very first shots. The young Ray Liotta played the role of a captain of the Marines, who went to prison for non-compliance with orders. The prison is located on the island of Absolon, where all the guards left and there are no cameras. Over the years, the prisoners have built their own empire, where there are kings and servants. But there are also those who decide to defy fate and give up on this deadly island.
It's a magnificent sight. Almost two-hour film flies unnoticed, all events are measured and interesting. The island, though full of criminals and other abominations, in its own beautiful and magnificent. The scenery is beautiful and impressive.
Well written characters. The main character, a cheerful warrior, has strong charisma and leadership qualities. It's literally the style of the time to have a character in a movie who would do anything for his purpose. Negative heroes, obvious scoundrels impressed even more than good guys. The notorious scoundrels showed all their bad side, the naturalness of their bloodlust and rage impressed. The naturalness of the actor's game at the highest level. Of course, Ray Liotta and Lance Henriksen stand out in this respect for their professionalism. Back then, they were action stars, and now they are filmed in cheap thrash and are the objects of ridicule.
The main character and his colleagues on the island will have to survive in the difficult realities of the prison. This movie reminds us of the New Earth. The events of the picture are cruel and dangerous, anxiety and danger await the heroes at every turn. The spectacle is convincing, making you stare at the screen, experiencing nostalgic feelings for that impressive era and for that movie. It was a great movie that I started to regret not seeing sooner. I would love to see it again a couple of times.
For lovers of prisons of the future, and just fighters of the old era, I recommend to watch, and for those who have seen - to review this magnificent action movie. A very strong film about the severe situation in which the heroes got. You should not be disappointed.
Knowing that the film is over 20 years old, I didn’t expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The movie was fascinating from the very first minutes and kept until the final.
First, we are shown a high-security prison where suicide bombers are held, but the film is not about it. Those who get caught in a casemate are sent to an island (Absolom), straight into the clutches of so-called “outsiders” who reminded me of characters from Mad Max or Judgment Day. In a clan of savages, prisoners either die a painful death or become barbarians themselves. However, there is another camp on the island, people who have organized a civilized community as much as possible under the conditions offered. They are only 98 people, in 13 years they have created a city surrounded by a moat and walls, a surveillance system with towers and even a makeshift elevator. It seems you can live, but the main character pronounces a sacramental phrase - "And you call it freedom?"
So is it possible to escape if 50 miles from Absolom there is a military unit in full combat readiness, from the jungle - 600 savage outsiders, the island is watched by a satellite, and to the big land 200 miles?
Now about the characters, all the main characters are bright, interesting personalities. The main character John Robbins is a former marine who has not only good physical skills, but also technical knowledge. A soldier who is gnawing at his conscience for his sins, a typical superhero of the 90s.
Of course, there are logical flaws in the script, but they are imperceptible if the viewer is passionate about the action, and the dynamics in the film are at a good level, there is no time to get bored.
In general, I liked the movie, a good action adventure with an interesting plot, even wonder why the remake or sequel has not yet been removed.
Don't worry about something you can't do anything about. But even if the chances of success are less than one percent, do your best.
I came across this film quite by accident and most likely would have passed by, but I was interested in the reviews of my respected colleagues who praised this movie and called it almost the best action movie of the nineties of the last century. I saw it. What can I say? The film is the most ordinary passing action movie in an interesting entourage. Don't you? Well, let me tell you why this picture is nothing special. Let's go!
As usual, we will first talk about the plot and what the writers invented. And they came up with the following: we have a specially guarded prison, in which prisoners are kept and especially guilty are sent to the island. What the hell gave up this prison, and what ordinary prisoners do in it, we will never know for the simple reason that the creators decided not to cover this topic in detail. Yeah. Two hours of screen time is not enough! We also have an impregnable island where criminals are thrown out and made to cook in their own juice. Why criminals are not sent to the gas chamber, but given the opportunity to live on the island, I do not understand. These people have been rejected by civilized society, and therefore there will be no checks on the prison and its inhabitants. So why spend money on them? For the show? So there are no cameras on the island, and the satellite gives only a general picture. All right, let's imagine that the prison staff has swallowed pills of stupidity and that what's going on is the norm. Now here's the fun part. The old-timers have been on this island for about thirty years and have not been able to put up normal walls, and all they had is to put something remotely resembling them, and which is ready to collapse from the slight breeze? And they're falling apart from the wind. You guys live in constant fear of raids, so why don't you have normal walls? Why don't you even have sentinels in the trees to sing a bird to warn you of danger? Otherwise, the enemies have come, and you, excuse me, will meet them with a naked ass and run away in panic! Well, the good guys seem to be taking the same "medicine" as the prison guards. What about the bad guys? Oh, these guys came straight out of Mad Max or Fallout, if you will. The only difference is that these guys have lost their animal temper somewhere and now resemble a bunch of primates who attack and run away without pursuing any goal. Except to die. What did I say about pills of stupidity?
Now for the heroes of the picture. And I don't even know what good things to say about them, because their behavior only encourages me to say something nasty about them. Well, judge for yourself - we have a protagonist named John Robbins, who served in the army and shot his immediate commander, got to the island. At the same time, the hero does not even try to join this society or help people. Nope. He didn't care about laws and regulations, and all he wanted was to go back to the big land and tell them that his former commander was killing civilians. Of course you, a fugitive criminal and a murderer, will be believed! Wasn't it easier to do that before you killed your commander? The rest of the characters either appear for too short a period of time and are not remembered or, as in the case of Father, played by Lance Hendrickson, play very sluggishly and in general their characters are bland and do not cause any feelings.
As a result, as I said earlier, before the viewer there is a bland and rather boring action movie with a stupid script and no less stupid behavior of the characters, and as for the action, it is in this film no, no. Yes, of course, all this is happening in a gloomy setting, but God see better than Mad Max or Escape from Los Angeles / New York, and this movie is not worth the time spent on it.
3 out of 10
A good film by strong professional Campbell with charismatic Ray Liotta. This is probably his best role. The film itself turned out to be an interesting combination of very colorful nature and real prison despair, flavored with a good plot and bright acting of secondary characters. Good in their roles and Lance Henriksen, and Kevin Dillon, their characters turned out to be memorable and interesting. The film is fiction, but there are many hints of dystopias like 1984. Orwell or even Gilliam's Brazil. In general, the main character is very similar to the hero Stephen King from his work “Running”. We do not mean the hero of Schwarzenegger, but a book prototype, which instead of steel biceps actually had high intelligence, which allowed him to stay alive for a long time in battle with an invincible system.
I would love to see the second part, the film is well put together, but the producers now give money to all sorts of Goulagers instead of trusting them with such talents as Campbell.