fed up of over the top cgi films and this brings a bit of fresh air. simple old school style action thought it was one of the best films ive seen in a while

Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) has an unusual job; he tests the security of prisons by getting himself put inside in order to break out. No one inside the prisons knows who he is - the man who wrote the book about prison security - except for his partner, Lester Clark (Vincent D'Onofrio) and colleagues Abigail (Amy Ryan) and Hush (Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson). When a particular job comes his way, to test a secret, privately funded prison for prisoners that no country wants on its books, Breslin agrees to do it. But it's a set up. Breslin, beaten and drugged, finds himself in a glass and steel cell and relies on the help of fellow prisoner, Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to devise an escape plan. Ruthless egomaniac, Warden Hobbes (Jim Caviezel) makes it his number one task to make sure neither of them get away.

Escape Plan (2013) is similar to a number of prison escape movies, with the usual cruel warden, sadistic guards, prisoners abused mentally and physically, the usual antagonisms between groups of prisoners, and violent outbreaks. This has a great cast with Vinnie Jones playing the usual nutcase/hardcase, Sam Neill as the prison doctor, and Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger teaming up. It's certainly entertaining viewing and something I will definitely, and happily, watch again if not just for the sheer joy of watching Stallone and Schwarzenegger interact on screen. Of course, there were silly bits. I mean, if someone is dangling from a helicopter ladder and being shot at, wouldn't the pilot just carefully fly the helicopter that bit further away, at least out of gunshot range? But that's Hollywood.

VJ - Movies and Books World

i watched this tonight and i have to say this was the best film ever by sly and arnie they have outdone themselves with this one

Escapologist Ray Breslin (Stallone) faces his toughest test to date, as the knowledge he has accumulated over almost a decade of escaping from prisons, is used against him when he finds he has been double crossed & left to rot in a top secret & secure prison that he unknowingly helped create. Facing what seems an impossible challenge & without his team to aid him, he must improvise by finding allies within his new confines & use all his abilities to escape & get his revenge.

Overall Escape Plan's premise on the surface is one that doesn't stretch the imagination too much, yet in the execution it manages to be a very watchable action thriller, with some rewarding twists comes the finish. The few action set pieces made for some adrenaline pumping & classic glimpses of the leads in their younger days at the height of their fame, but it's the tension, suspense & intelligence of the escape planning that keeps you hooked. The special effects are pretty good when used, granted it's prison environments so it's not eye candy throughout, but very much an old school feeling with real stunts, doubles & limited use of CGI.

The cast itself is well picked & balanced. Sylvester Stallone (The Expendables) is more than beliveable as Ray Breslin, the quiet unsuspecting brains of the operation whose always casing the joint for weak spots. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Predator) as inmate Rottmayer, has a great rapport with Sly as his total opposite, a more outgoing personality with his cheeky banter & one liners make for a good partnership & injection of humor. Equally in partnership as the baddies, the dapper Jim Caviezel (Person of Interest) as the smart & sophisticated Warden Hobbes menaces with his calm tone & superiority complex , while his henchman Drake, played in usual thuggish Vinnie Jones (Lock, Stock..) style, is his snarling lap dog who enjoys getting his hands dirty. Also co-stars Vincent D'Onofrio (Law & Order..), Faran Tahir (Warehouse 13), Sam Neil (Jurassic Park), Amy Ryan (Win Win) & 50 Cent (Setup).

In conclusion, Escape Plan is a watchable, albeit at times far fetched action thriller. With the plot twists & smart escape planning more than making up for it's shortfalls. Contains strong language & graphic violence. Recommended. Read more ›

I didn't get around to seeing this in the cinema, and i regret that. This is a great movie.

Ray Breslin (Stallone) tests the security of prisons. The only way to do this, is to become a prisoner and break out however possible. He is offered a different type of "breakout", test a new prison that stores the prisoners no other country wants. He agrees, but it's a set-up. He finds himself kidnapped, drugged and eventually inside a glass and steel prison cell. Once inside the prison, he has to rely on help from other prisoners. More so on Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger) in order to escape. But this is prison, and it isn't meant to be easy.

The movie has a great cast, as i spotted appearances by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Sam Neill and Vinnie Jones to name a few. This is one movie worth watching more than once.

Recommended, and i give this 9/10

This is the first and hopefully not the last pairing of the action star duo in a film. (Yes, I am aware of the expendables series but Schwarzenegger only appeared in nothing more than a cameo role.)

*Spoilers*

So on to the actual film, Ray Breslin breaks out of prisons for a living, great job right? Well one day he is approached to break out of the ultimate prison which is code named the tomb and Sly being Sly he stands up to the challenge to get imprisoned. This is where it starts to kick off, Sly meets warden Hobbs played by the excellent Jim Caviezel. He is a no nonsense Warden that rules the prison with an iron fist. Warden Hobbs warns him that escaping is impossible, he is then sent into the general population where he meets Emil Rottmayer played by the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I won't go into anymore detail but people who are expecting an explosive and action packed film like the expendables are going to be disappointed, yes there is action scenes thrown in here and there but they are few and far between. Still this film comes highly recommended just to see Arnie and Sly on screen together cracking jokes and shooting the occasional gun.