I have never been a fan of Escape Rooms or the other variations that follow the same principle, I lack the “grace under pressure” required in order to survive. So I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy the suspense thriller – “Escape Room” which follows your typical B-film formula, minus the excessive blood and gore, which is fine by me, since I’m not really a fan of “senseless and plotless gore”.
“Escape Room” opens with a dirty, beat down twenty something falling from the roof into what looks like a study, the poor guy is limping, trying to figure out clues in order to “unlock” the room, the urgency becomes more pronounced when the room starts to move, crushing everything along its way, and the inevitable happens, the helpless guy is pinned to the corner of the room, screaming in agony as the walls close him, crushing him (cut scene) –
Go to the title sequence, and we meet (some) of our characters, who live mundane and ordinary lives (well, except probably for the successful stock broker) these unsuspecting individuals are looking for something new in their lives, a chance to get out, to try something new, and this comes in the form of a black box, which when opened is actually an invitation to be among the first to exclusively try a new “Escape Room”.
Now, for someone who received invites for events on a regular basis, this would all seem like very clever marketing, plus the cash prize is very tempting.
Of course, once our eager players are gathered everything in the Escape Room quickly becomes immersive, (too immersive) and soon the need to get out, to survive and escape these rooms become all too real.
A fun B movie you can enjoy with friends, especially if you like these kinds of films. It was amusing to hear your fellow movie goers try to solve the rooms, of course there’s you just sitting down and not getting it, haha so you already know who in your group survives and who doesn’t.
I was looking forward to seeing some of my favorite actors from some of my favorite Netlix shows on the big screen. Namely, of course Deborah Ann Woll (Daredevil) who plays pyrophobic veteran, Amanda and we see more of her physical capabilities here (Matt would be so proud) Taylor Russell (from “Lost in Space”) is Zoey, a shy and timid Physics student and of course, funny guy and Escape Room enthusiast Nik Dodani (Atypical) who plays Danny Khan and I must say that they did not disappoint.
The movie thrills and excites, the first two acts are fun and I did appreciate the common trauma that our characters are hiding. A look into their past and psyche was a welcome change in pace to the plot. There’s a nice curve ball twist but things just get weird in the end. Perhaps trying to uncover the who’s, why’s and how’s of the people behind the Escape Room was not really necessary. The end of the film was practically screaming “sequel” and I did read that there will be one, so I guess, there’s that to look forward to.
6/10 – “Escape Room” is showing in cinemas Feb. 27.