Escape Plan attempts a clever scheme but never manages to rise above familiar action movie tropes. It brings together Stallone and Schwarzenegger, the iconic duo from 80s action films. A seemingly unbreakable maximum-security prison stands between them, preventing what would otherwise be a straightforward opportunity for gym buddies to work out and show off their bulging muscles. The question arises: will Arnie “be back”? Does Stallone still longingly call out "Adriaaaaan!"? Despite the nostalgic appeal of seeing these two together again, the film is unfortunately bogged down by an unbelievably silly story that seems to think it’s more intelligent than it really is, which ultimately undermines any potential for enjoyable absurdity. It might be best to “get back to da choppa!” Arnie. (Or perhaps return to being governor of California...). The movie centers on an escape artist who's hired to test the security of maximum-security facilities by breaking free, but he’s framed by his own financial advisor and thrown into the most secure prison imaginable. Guards, likely former military personnel, patrol with black ‘V for Vendetta’ masks, intimidating prisoners who simply want to rest. Schwarzenegger delivers some wonderfully corny one-liners as usual: “You fight like a vegetarian!”. Stallone, seemingly very involved in the production, appears generally tired and lacking his usual charisma. Prisoners are subjected to water hoses while confined in steel boxes under intense heat lamps. A paleontologist, Dr. Alan Grant, still recovering from the trauma of ‘Jurassic Park III’, provides medical assistance to America’s most dangerous criminals. And Vinnie Jones delivers a stereotypical cockney accent. It's essentially paradise—a lovely vacation spot. If only the plot were as pleasant. Ultimately, Escape Plan functions primarily because of the chemistry between Stallone and Schwarzenegger. When the film strays from this central element, plot contrivances, inconsistencies, and illogicality quickly become dominant issues. Ray is described as the ultimate escape artist, which feels like a convenient way to justify his character doing anything and claiming it’s an undeniable truth. For example, he uses broken glasses, paper, and other everyday items to build a device that supposedly determines his location based on lunar alignment. Maybe such a tool can be constructed under a prison table; I honestly don't care. The point is that because the prison is presented as “the most secure facility in existence,” the escape plan demands an immediate suspension of disbelief from the audience. The fight scenes and action sequences are infrequent, leaving the remaining ninety minutes filled with oddly paced conversations where the camera seems to invade Stallone’s personal space on several occasions. The editing throughout—from rapid cuts to strange scene transitions reminiscent of Microsoft PowerPoint animations—detracts from the overall quality of the filmmaking. Not to mention the obvious green screen and needless CGI effects. In the end, if you were hoping to see Stallone and Schwarzenegger together, you’ll likely be satisfied. However, you'll have to tolerate the far-fetched plot points, extended running time, and disappointing conclusion. Had this film been made thirty years ago, it might have been decent. Perhaps devising your own escape plan would prove more rewarding?

Source on TMDB