When Frank (Brian Cox) finds out that his daughter is terminally ill he starts to put together a group of inmates to help him break out of prison so her can see her one last time. It’s a dangerous plan with guards to look out for and even more dangerous with prison kingpin Rizza (Damian Lewis) standing in their way. Also stars Joseph Fiennes (Flash Forward), Liam Cunningham (Hunger), Seu Jorge (City of God), Dominic Cooper (Mama Mia!), and Steven Mackintosh (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans). Also features the exclusive song The Escapist by Coldplay.

High praise goes to The Escapist as it jumps back and forth between escape and confinement setting up a story riddled with cliffhangers and suspense. The film is shot for a good portion inside of the prison drawing you into the uncomfortable dog eat dog world of the inmates and providing plenty of villainous thugs to really drive home the tension the film sets up and never drops. Aside from Damian Lewis, who I felt was a poor choice for the prison kingpin and did not at all strike the kind of fear needed for the part, the cast was simply electric working together to bring a heightened sense of realism. If you want a film that pretty much has it all this would be the one. However. While great the film is going to leave fans a bit disappointed in the end.

Not to give to much away but as I watched the film I could think of nothing else but what was going on in it. When the film became gruesome or burst into action or seemed hopeless it had me, I was enveloped by its every emotive quality. When the film ended though I didn’t know how I felt. Disappointed? A bit. I was left feeling like it was somewhat a waste of my time but I did remember that while I watched I was drawn in. How you react to the end of the film is going to decide weather or not this film is going to go into your collection or sold off first chance. Its really hard to say. I myself felt that it gives you what you want the first time around but you can’t ever watch it again unless your sharing it with someone whose never seen it before. Worth seeing at least once though. Enjoy.