Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Escape from Absolom Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 3, 2018

Martin Campbell's "No Escape" a.k.a. "Escape From Absolom" (1994) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Australian label Umbrella Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an original U.S. trailer for the film and TV spots as well as an archival featurette. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The prison

The events in the film take place in the near future. Captain J.T. Robbins (Ray Liotta) is arrested after the tragic death of his superior and transferred to a state-of-the-art prison owned by a giant corporation. However, before he is even shown his cell, Robbins creates a melee that convinces the warden (Michael Lerner) that it would be best to dispatch him to Absolom, a secluded island monitored by the corporation's powerful satellites where only the strongest can survive.

The troublemaker is dropped in an area controlled by a large tribe of modern savages called The Outsiders, whose slightly unhinged leader, Marek (Stuart Wilson), has convinced himself that he is the most powerful man on the island. Robbins is instantly captured by Marek’s warriors and forced to fight his massive bodyguard, but the show ends prematurely after he puts a stake through his heart. The visibly impressed Marek then offers the monster’s position to Robbins, but the ungrateful newcomer steals his portable rocket launcher and disappears into the nearby forest.

On the other side of the natural border that marks the end of The Outsiders’ area the badly wounded Robbins is picked up by members of another, much more civilized tribe. Later on, while he recovers from his wounds, he learns from their leader, The Father (Lance Henriksen), that Absolom truly is the end destination for any prisoner that is dropped there because every inch of it is covered by a sophisticated interactive security system which allows the authorities at the main prison to instantly terminate potential escapees. As the stubborn Robbins begins working on a strategy that would help his saviors outsmart the security system, Marek unites all savages on the island and declares that an attack on their community is imminent.

Despite crediting Richard Herley’s novel as the primary source of inspiration for No Escape, director Martin Campbell and screenwriters Michael Gaylin and Joel Gross very clearly borrow heavily from three popular genre hits -- Escape from New York, Fortress, and The Road Warrior. This isn’t a negative, but a recognition of a what is a key characteristic of the film's identity.

The film moves fast and creates the impression that it does not take itself too seriously, which is quite possibly the main reason why it ends up being entertaining. Indeed, there are a few generic observations about the danger of growing large corporations that can not only corrupt but actually reshape an entire justice system, but the rest is just straightforward action shot at some very picturesque locations.

Good imagination is necessary to see Liotta as a legit action hero, but he handles his character with the right attitude and this helps him sell it better. When he has to kill, for instance, he does the mechanical work quickly and then exits the scene with a few catchy jabs. This works because it makes him look odd but also entertaining, rather than fake and dull. Sadly, his mean nemesis accomplishes precisely the opposite. Indeed, Wilson repeatedly goes overboard with the posturing and silly speeches and actually never evolves into the powerful leader that supposedly has complete control over the hearts and minds of the savages.

Ultimately, the film’s strength comes from the action, and thankfully the overwhelming majority of it looks great. It is hardly surprising, though, as Phil Meheux, who a few decades earlier lensed the classic British crime drama The Long Good Friday, was the man behind the camera.

Escape from Absolom Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Martin Campbell's No Escape arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment.

The release isn't sourced from a brand new remaster that was completed after a fresh 2K/4K of the OCN. Density levels are such that it is actually very clear that an older remaster was used. However, the film looks very healthy, and excluding some limitations -- primarily delineation and depth -- that become easier to recognize during wider panoramic shots, the rest looks quite good (see examples in screencaptures #3 and 10). Many close-ups, for instance, look quite nice, boasting very pleasing depth and clarity even when light is restricted (see screencapture #4). Ideally, grain should be better exposed and resolved, but even though there are some traces of management work, there are no anomalies that would affect negatively your viewing experience. On the contrary, even on a fairly large screen the entire film holds up pretty well. There are no traces of problematic sharpening adjustments. Colors are stable and nicely balanced, but a new master will introduce better saturation. Image stability is outstanding. Lastly, there are no distracting cuts, debris, stains, damage marks, or warped/torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Escape from Absolom Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are five standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit), Italian: Dolby Digital 2.0, German: Dolby Digital 2.0, French: Dolby Digital 2.0, and Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

In the United States this film appeared with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track on DVD, but I thought that the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track handled its soundtrack very well. However, I have only seen the film on TV, so I do not know if there was an original theatrical 5.1 mix outside of the United States. In terms of clarity, depth, and dynamic intensity you should expect top quality. Balance is also excellent.

Escape from Absolom Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original U.S. trailer for No Escape. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• TV Spots - four original TV spots for No Escape. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Making of Featurette - this vintage featurette, presented in two parts, takes a closer look at the production history and characters of No Escape. It features raw footage from the shooting of the film as well as clips from various cast and crew interviews. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Part One (30 min).
  2. Part Two (7 min).

• Reversible Cover - reversible cover with the U.S. title for the film, No Escape.

Escape from Absolom Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Any knowledgeable film buff will instantly spot the different bits that No Escape has borrowed from various popular genre pictures that came before it. Three obvious ones are mentioned in our review, but they easily could have been replaced by another set of three to make the exact same point. I honestly don't think that it matters much because all that No Escape wants to do is deliver a good dose of action, and at the end of the day I think that it accomplishes its goal rather well. Umbrella Entertainment's technical presentation of the film is good. RECOMMENDED.