Okay, this was way better than I heard. Critics kind of trashed this film when it hit theaters and based on those negative comments, I decided to wait for home video. Was I ever surprised when this turned out to be a nonstop, amazingly intense thriller. I’m not sure if critics saw a different movie or something because this has be one of the most misrepresented films of the year in terms of critical assessment.
There’s a scene about a third into the film where a family must jump between some tall building roofs and it has to be one of the most edge-of-your-seat experiences this year. Owen Wilson and Lake Bell play likable parents who you immediately connect and identify with. But the real standout here is Pierce Brosnan who plays a character unlike I’ve seen him ever do before. He owned every scene he was in. No Escape isn’t trying to be anything more than an awesome thriller and based on that premise, it absolutely succeeds (and exceeds) expectations.