250. Escape Plan 3; movie review

ESCAPE PLAN
Cert 15
115 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language and violence

Can Sly Stallone not just bow out gracefully?
For nearly 45 years his screen personas have been heroically putting bad guys to the proverbial or even literal swords.
But, at the age of 73, it is stretching credibility that he could take on all-comers.
The makers of Escape Plan 3 show no intent to go off-piste. They reckon that Sly's fans want stereotypical macho heroes and stereotypical macho villains and that is exactly what they get.
Here Stallone reprises the role of security expert Ray Breslin whose company is lured to rescue the kidnapped daughter (Malese Jow) of a ruthless Hong Kong tech mogul (Russell Wong).
The villain (Devon Sawa) has an axe to grind with Breslin so has also snatched his girlfriend (Jaime King).
At this point, I should point out that in real-life King is 33 years younger than Stallone but, as said, in movieland, time seems to have stood still for Sly.
I digress.
Sly's team somehow find out that the kidnappers have taken their victims to a hellhole prison in Latvia and set about rescuing them.
Inevitably, there is non-stopping butting of egos and much muscle-rippling before knives, swords, guns, boots and fists come to the fore.
Some people die horrible deaths and some survive gloriously. Most are predictable but, thankfully, a couple of moments are not.
Despite the latter, I was overwhelmed with deja vu for John Herzfeld's film and my feelings about Stallone.
Back in 2013, I reported that I rather enjoyed the original Escape Plan but three years later I stated that I thought Stallone's game was up.
In the United States, this film went straight to DVD. In itself, that is strong enough indication that I am right.

Reasons to watch: If you are an avid Sly fan
Reasons to avoid: Packed with cliches

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Sylvester Stallone's snarling look and slightly slurred speech are a result of complications his mother faced during his birth, as obstetricians had to use two pairs of forceps, which accidentally severed a facial nerve causing paralysis in the lower left side of his face, including parts of his lip, tongue and chin.

The final word. John Herzfeld: "Sly is a great force of unbridled, creative, hyper – energy.  Ideas come at him at hurricane force. He is always on his toes – and of course,  has always been that way."

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