Synopsis
The third and final instalment of the unstoppable franchise, Escape Plan 3 sees screen legend Sylvester Stallone (The Expendables) kick this explosive action tale into high gear. After security expert Ray Breslin (Stallone) is hired to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Hong Kong tech mogul from a formidable Latvian prison, Breslin’s girlfriend (Jaime King, Sin City) is also captured. Now he and his team, including Trent DeRosa (Dave Bautista, Guardians of the Galaxy) and (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Power) must pull off a deadly rescue mission to confront their sadistic foe and save the hostages before time runs out. Also featuring Max Zhang (Pacific Rim: Uprising).
Review
I love a good action film and also Stallone is one of my favourite actors. So when the two collide I get kind of excited. I am a fan of the Escape Plan series and was looking forward to the third instalment and it didn’t disapoint.
If you haven’t seen the first two films it’s doesn’t really matter. In terms of story continuation this third instalment of Escape Plan has taken lead from the Fast and Furious franchise and moved away from the original concept. Going with an action film based within the story world, that is by no means a criticism as I’m a big fan of the Fast and Furious franchise it’s just in this film there is not much escaping its more of a full on onslaught.
The story is a bit predictable in the way of rich businessman’s daughter gets kidnapped. The tough guy team is tasked with a rescue mission but it’s the cinematography which is the saviour here. The film is shot right in every way and makes it a real enjoyable watch. Now lets be fair if I was kidnapped I would feel a lot safer knowing Bautista and Stallone were on the way.
As the film goes in a more intense direction, Breslin’s (Stallone) girlfriend is kidnapped by the bad guys. Coincidentally they are lead by the son of Brenlin’s old partner, so now it is personal making the final act of the film a lot more impactful. Zhang Jin and Harry Shum Jr were a welcome additions to the team with Jin wanting to help rescue his ex-lover and Shum blaming himself for the kidnapping. Both bring a more focussed martial arts approach to the action, which is a very welcome addition.
When Breslin and his team get to the Latvian prison known as “The Devil’s Station” where the hostages are being held the team split up and this for me is the best part of the film. It goes full on action with Stallone turning into the hero we all know and love. With action films of this nature they tend to go a bit over the top but director John Herzfeld has the perfect mix with Escape Plan 3. He brings all the elements together for an action packed and graphic ending. I would like to have seen a bit more screen time from the supporting cast, the fight scenes Bautista did have were excellent and with Jackson I would’ve liked to have seen his character given more development but when you have big names on the cast it’s hard to fit everyone in.
Verdict
I’m a massive action fan and also a big Stallone fan for me Escape Plan 3 does all what it needs to do and does it right finishes off a good series and at 74 years old Stallone can still do it on the big screen and I’m yearning for more.
8/10
Escape Plan 3 (The Extractors) is available digitally from 2nd April. Grab your copy on DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon now.
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