I think I was fortunate to have watched 'No Escape' with rather low expectations. In fact, I would not have even gotten the disc had a friend not raved about it. Well, I'm a sucker for a scope transfer anyway, so, though still skeptical, I plunked down my $40 and took my chances.
'No Escape' is a science fiction/action film with stong emphasis on action. The story is set on the year 2022. The prison system is now run by large multi-national corporations, exploiting inmates for profit. Ray Liotta plays John Robbins, a special forces Marine captain convicted of murdering his commanding officer. After escaping from several 'level 5' prisons, he is sent to a level 6 maximum security prison run by a brutal warden. The warden has set up a secret prison 'island' where he sends problem inmates or those he wants to punish. The island is monitored by satellite to prevent escapes but otherwise unguarded. The convicts have divided themselves into two 'tribes', the violent and bloodthirsty Outsiders, led by a sadistic convict named Marek (played with great enthusiasm by Stuart Wilson) and the more civilized Insiders, led by a man they call Father (Lance Henrickson). Robbins is dropped on the island and is captured by the Outsiders but soon escapes and is given sanctuary by the Insiders. But Robbins is not interested in joining either group. He has only one thought...escape.
The film opens with the look one expects. A bleak techno-futurescape. Black helmeted guards with advanced weapons. Chrome and computer monitors in the prison control center. The harsh sterility of the cell block. However, it is when the story shifts to the island with it's primative conditions and crude homemade weapons that I feel the filmmakers have come closest to hitting the mark. The excellent widescreen cinematography, elaborate costumes and exquisitely detailed sets come very close to giving this film the feel of an epic. But at it's heart, 'No Escape' is a pure action film. You will not find deep emotional characters or any meaningful examinations of the socialogical issues of an island prison. What you will find are several terrific action set pieces, first rate effects and a good enough narrative to sustain interest. ** GORE-HOUND ALERT ** This film contains, perhaps, the best impalement I have seen. Also a very well done beheading.
The laser disc edition of 'No Escape' has been released by HBO Video, who seem to have acquired a rather poor reputation. This disc is either an exception or they have really cleaned up their laser act. Except for some slightly enhanced film grain in a few scenes, this is an excellent transfer. Colors are exceptional. Accurate and solid without oversaturation or smearing. Contrast and brightness are also excellent. What really caught my eye, however, is the level of detail. It is very easy to over-sharpen a video transfer and certainly everyone has seen what too little sharpness looks like. The almost perfect balance of sharpness and detail give this disc a look that I found more watchable than most. It is simply a great looking picture. The film was shot anamorphically (Arriscope) and the transfer trims the 2.35:1 frame slightly to about 2.25:1. It should be noted that this film is composed very wide and I have no doubt that a panned and scanned transfer will rob this film of virtually all it's visual impact. HBO has released a full-frame transfer on disc, as well as letterboxed, but this should be avoided.
Now the soundtrack. The soundtrack on this disc knocked me out. It's as simple as that. Even in this age of THX and DTS and all the other sound stuff out there, this has to be one of the best film soundtracks of it's type that I have heard. It has everything. A dynamic range that will have you scrambling for the remote, deep, solid bass, perfectly clear mids and highs with natural, well balanced dialog. There are more directional effects than I have heard in some time and one of the best uses of the surround channel that I have ever heard. Play this one LOUD.
The film runs 118 minutes and is on a single CLV disc. This results in a ill-timed side break, but with a 118 minute program on two sides, that's what you get. The disc is not chapter encoded (sucks) and no trailer or other extras are included (sucks, also). I would also nominate HBO Video for 'most deceptive advertising'. The jacket states 'from the maker of Aliens and The Terminator'. Gale Anne Hurd is credited as the producer of both these films, as well as 'No Escape', but I doubt anyone can seriously consider her as the 'maker' of Jim Cameron's films. But, no matter. 'No Escape' can easily stand on it's own as terrific action entertainment.
I give it an '85', Dick. It's got a good beat and you can dance to it :-).
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