Escaping Paradise (2022) User Reviews

How about all those AI written reviews?

[BandSAboutMovies · 3/10 · 11 July 2023]

Floyd (Deji LaRay) and Zena (Shayla Hale) head to the Phillippines to celebrate their fifth anniversary. While there, they meet one of the few English speakers around, Kane (Simon Phillips). In fact, Kane's lover Nihla (Kylah Dela Peña) barely speaks a word. One night, when Zena is tired, Kane asks if he can borrow her husband for a guy's night. Of course, that turns out like something out of The Hangover but instead of being fun hijinks, it's murderous. Are you surprised that Kane is a dangerous fugitive? Well, our protagonists are!

Directed by Paul Tanter (Age of the Living Dead, Stealing Chaplin) and written by LaRay, this ends up with people dead, Zena kidnapped and Floyd looking for any help he can get to save his wife and get off the island. I mean, once you watch a guy act like a jerk in a strip club, you know what kind of person he is. I have no idea why the young lovers ever got mixed up with this guy but we wouldn't have a movie otherwise. You just about expect Kane to kill exotic dancers like Flower (Christies Paglinawan).

Floyd must not get much vacation time, because while his wife is being taken by a wanted international fugitive, he's taking his time eating a traditional Filipino dinner when his wife could very well be getting tortured and killed. I was also kind of confused by the attitude of Ambassador Danilo (Ken Bressers) at the end, who goes from "you're in trouble" to "you're heroes" in the exact same scene. There was no drama there, just one weird conversation. And if my wife dealt with all this drama and I wanted to go play basketball before we went home, I'd be going home divorced.

BEWARE THE SHILL REVIEWS

[rabbitmoon · 1/10 · 9 July 2023]

Oh look, another new film with supicious amounts of 10-star reviews, left by names ending in five digits who only have one or two conveniently praising reviews.

These people are clearly paid by distributors/producers to praise the film. Which is basically CONNING you into wasting your time. The film is so obscure it doesn't even have a review on letterboxd yet - do you really think all these people legitimately saw it, and decided to create new accounts to gush about it? I very much doubt it.

Don't fall for shill reviews! Don't fall for shill reviews! Don't fall for shill reviews! Don't fall for shill reviews!

This was worse than amateur-hour.

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 1/10 · 9 July 2023]

Don't get tricked by the clearly bogus high reviews. It goes to show you how little faith the filmmakers have in their own production to resort to such blatant tactics to try and deceive their potential audience. This was so bad, if there was a listing for C-films, this would still be at the bottom of the list. The bogus high reviews are way more entertaining than this wannabe action thriller.

It's shocking this mess was directed by someone who apparently has 24 previous directorial credits. Director Paul Tanter couldn't even direct his cast properly. Then you have Deji LaRay as Floyd, who cast himself as the lead, produced and wrote this nonsense, that was riddled with plot and technical issues. A few examples: His wife gets kidnapped, but he sits down for a nice dinner laughing and eating with all these people, THEN finally gets his bullet-hole wound simply bandaged over after he's done chatting and eating. The next day, he uses a long very noticeable orange canoe and apparently sneaks onto a small touring boat in broad daylight and no one sees him approaching or boarding the boat. Seriously? The lack of common sense and realism in this film is astounding.

There is absolutely nothing redeemable about this sloppy nonsense. The directing was terrible and lacked any urgency. Even at a mere 90 mins runtime, with the slow pacing and long dragged out and mostly unnecessary scenes, this felt like a never ending nightmare. The writing was cliched and generic, with a story that's been done thousands of times before, and every one of them done much better than this. A fifth grade drama class can write, direct and produce a better school play.

LaRay cast himself as some tough-guy soldier, yet had zero combat skills or tactics, and couldn't even hold or use a gun properly. The action and fight scenes are hilariously bad. Clearly this film was a failed attempt at a vanity project for LaRay trying to make himself look like some action hero. His acting was laughably bad and unconvincing, as was everyone else's - only partial blame can go to bad cast direction. Only Simon Phillips was anywhere close to any sort of convincing character. Listed as an action thriller, there's zero thrills and any action is hilariously bad, so this nonsense should've been listed as a comedy.

I've reviewed over 1,700 films and rated over 3,000, and this mess is on my top ten worst films of all time. I hope it gets nominated for a Razzie award, it certainly qualifies.

Entertaining!

[glam-41467 · 10/10 · 16 June 2023]

This movie is reaaally good to see with friends.

I like how they added some comedy factors here and there. Anyway this movie is entertaining and kinda prdictable. But l love it. Personally, l love the starting scenes where guys are playing the basket ball game. THAT was absolutley LA vibe.

The action is quite thrilling and the background, Sebu is exotic place. That makes the action more charming. Never been to Sebu before so it was more exotic to me. And as far as l know, there are not quite a lot of U. S movies dealing with crime and Sebu.

What the most interesting was the britsh guy. His action was great and that character looks likes so bastard.

GREAT

[nowhere-72334 · 9/10 · 16 June 2023]

One couple decided to go to the abroad to memorate their marriage anniversaryn and it turns out they are involved in some crimes.

Technically, they are just tracking of the one criminal there.

Overall, this movie deals with crime and action. And some romance...? These are typically facotrs as you know but this is not like this movie is typically.

Instead, l would say this is somewhat fun and good. L enjoyed especillay how they used the shooting spots and described the bad guy.

BTW, who was that bad british guy? His acting was super impressive. L guess l should check his name to remember him.

Great action and a delightful revenge.

[dlsk-84896 · 9/10 · 12 June 2023]

Great action and a delightful revenge.

The movie made good use of cool action and tense stories, and even portrayed a thrilling revenge play.

The movie starts with a couple's first overseas trip and captures the wonderful natural scenery of Cebu. This gives visual pleasure to those who have lived their lives trapped by Corona.

And you meet someone who is in the daytime... It's a kind but somewhat reluctant man. He is friendly to the couple and claims to be a travel friend, but is infinitely violent to the natives of Cebu, that is, those who don't have money.

(As expected, people need to check their attitude toward the weak.)

In the first half of the movie, the couple only doubts about the kind but reluctant man, but in the second half, they find out for sure that he is a bad guy, and they are chased for justice without turning a blind eye to their mistakes.

Happiness changes in an instant from a dream travel destination to a place where you have to escape alive, which adds to the fun of the movie.

I lost track of time and watched the movie.

[boxooent-01456 · 9/10 · 12 June 2023]

I lost track of time and watched the movie.

I watched the movie without any prior information about this movie. In the movie about a couple who travel to Cebu, they go abroad for the first time for their wife who has never traveled abroad. There, I happen to meet a man who looks rich, and I spend a trip with a man who approaches me so kindly. But the kind man sometimes shows violent behavior, leaving him uncomfortable..., sure enough, he was a bad guy.

The bad guy does the bad thing again, and the couple who find out about it can't just ignore it. They report it to the police, but the police are also in partnership with the bad guy, so the couple who report it to the police is threatened.

Sweetness Honeymoon Travel Turns into the Worst Escape Play

[dlsk-23185 · 9/10 · 12 June 2023]

Sweetness Honeymoon Travel Turns into the Worst Escape Play

An American couple dreaming of a sweet honeymoon arrives in Cebu. A couple enjoying a fairly satisfying trip happens to meet an English man who is traveling alone.

A British man is doing illegal work in Cebu, hiding the fact that he has fled by committing a crime in his own country. British men hide this fact and try to approach American couples and get close to them, but American couples think British men are burdensome. Then one day, he takes his American husband to a strip club, where he learns about the illegal work of an English man.

The American couple may have turned a blind eye to the British man's crime, but they did not. They choose to fight crime because they correct wrongs and seek justice.

GOOD

[kiminhwa · 9/10 · 12 June 2023]

Set in Cebu, an exotic island, it is an action thriller that changes at once into a thriller where you have to risk your life to escape from a sweet couple destination.

What would you do if you found out about someone's crime? Of course, we should be able to find out the crime. But what if it threatens me and my family? Also, what if something that happened in the daytime and went back home after leaving the travel destination has nothing to do with me? So we're gonna find out about the crime?

The movie features an ordinary but just couple. He dreams of a pleasant and happy trip, but he accidentally finds out about the crime and tries to reveal the truth, but his life is threatened by it.

A Story of a Couple that Doesn't Turn a Blind Eye to Crime

[glam-80385 · 10/10 · 16 June 2023]

Prepare to be immersed in an adrenaline-fueled journey with this action-packed film that seamlessly blends elements of drama, suspense, and adventure. From the moment the opening scenes unfold, the audience is captivated by a narrative that constantly keeps them guessing.

While the initial impression may be that of a dramatic tale, the story takes an unexpected twist, propelling it into a heart-pounding realm of suspense. As the plot unfolds, viewers find themselves swept away by the relentless pace, exhilarating action sequences, and intricate character dynamics. As the narrative unfolds, the audience is compelled.

WONDERFUL MOVIE

[ninff-42591 · 10/10 · 16 June 2023]

Grab your favorite drink, whether it's a cold beer or a refreshing cocktail and just enjoy it!

I usually watch a lot of crime films, and the quality of this movie was quite good! I didn't feel any awkward action scenes or camera movements, and the lighthearted moments were genuinely lighthearted. The story progressed in a way that viewers could easily accept and find plausible.

When it comes to storylines, the couple faces moral dilemmas and challenges that push the boundaries of their values, forcing them to confront their deepest convictions. These underlying themes provide a thought-provoking layer that elevates the film beyond mere entertainment.

A delightful movie in which the average man beats the bad guy.

[dlsk-83627 · 10/10 · 12 June 2023]

Average man beats the bad guy.

With so many crimes taking place in the real world, the movie about an ordinary man who pursues justice fighting a bad guy and winning may be more of a fantasy.

The film has a simple but definite 'pleasure' that simple but ordinary justice punishes the bad guy.

A couple who dreamed of a sweet trip to exotic Ireland meet a kind but somewhat reluctant man. He brags about his wealth and looks down on those who don't have it. Violence, drugs, and even murder.

Audiences want such a clear 'bad guy' to be punished, and this movie does it.

It's a very exhilarating movie, and it's just the right movie to enjoy for killing time.

ACTION PACKED!

[ninff · 9/10 · 16 June 2023]

What if, on your first trip abroad, a stranger who seems to be a rich extends kindness and shows you around their country?

And what if, under the assumption that you have a very reliable husband, this trip could be even more exciting than you can imagine?

However, what if you discovered that he is also involved in criminal activities? Would you overlook this fact and let it slide?

While watching this movie, you can contemplate the answers to these questions.

The film is action-packed and moderately thrilling.

Additionally, the exotic backdrop of the movie provides an even more enjoyable experience.

I found fantastic action

[pparksoo-59342 · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

Not a high packed action & thriller movie, but a good storyline. The ending let it down a little bit, but not enough to ruin it.

You can imagine this kind of stuff going on so it's pretty much a 'day in the life of' kind of movie. Don't want to say too much and spoil it, because it is worth a watch in theater or vod.

Not popcorn and pizza night standard, but it's still a sit down, put your feet up film.

Main actor is an obvious draw to the film, but it was good to see that he wasn't surrounded with bad acting like you see in a lot of these movies where big stars seem to appear as supporting characters. You could find why this movie is fantastic I said.

Need to be careful during a oversee tirp

[glam-98547 · 9/10 · 16 June 2023]

This movie reminds me how dangerous when we go out of the country. Sightseeing another countries are definitely amusing and pleasant but unexpectable and even could be dangerous.

L reckon there may be a reason why they chose an island not States. Probably the production fee or something. But it brings some my bakc trip memories whether they are good or not.

This is a reason why l gave quite pretty high score on this movie. Crime and action movie but it features a couple's unexpected trip.

L consider this is one of the charming points in this movie.

If l had to recommed one action movie to my friend, l would let them know this movie!

It's perfect action survival !

[pparksoo · 10/10 · 20 June 2023]

It was perfect crime title for the famous action king and reinvigorated the action genre. Since then it's become action juggernaut gang movie. It usually things get redone with that amount of action scenes, this film innovates and thrills to new heights in an absolute crime paradise in Sebu philipines.

One of the most surprising aspects of this particular entry, is the story being written as well as it is. Something that is hard to come by in the genre at times. Not saying the others in the action titles weren't but this is easily the best story diving deeper in the high table aspects as similar as John Wick . The rich characterization is also at its best with outstanding additions like Crime City in Korea Movie, and even more screen time for supporting greats like Fishburne to compliment the magnificent actions. It's nice to have such substance amongst the endless high octane ballistic visuals.

This movie goes more all out than any I've seen for insanely well crafted choreographed shootout and fight scenes. Just when you thought you've seen it all, it prove their action minds are ever evolving. Main actor was born to make action movies together.

The extremely vibrant colors and plethora of locations is also a feast for the eyes. The sharp atmospheric imagery creates the ultimate backdrop for not only the action but also just the dialogue. The sound is also top notch and perfectly compliments the intensity. It's just an absolute sensory journey that you don't get in too many action films aside from this kind of genre.

Don't forget this movie and watch it as soon as possible.

It's a movie that's moderately light and enjoyable.

[boxooent-61550 · 10/10 · 12 June 2023]

It's a movie that's moderately light and enjoyable.

If you don't like movies that are too cruel or too serious or heavy, I recommend this movie.

The ordinary protagonist meets a bad villain and acts justly and gets caught up in an incident, but the fact that he does not turn a blind eye to wrong things and wins against justice gives him a lot of pleasure.

In particular, I especially like the fact that it did not give any narrative to the bad guy, and that it was drawn as the bad guy who did the bad thing without any end.

And it's also good that ordinary but just people help each other overcome crises and win.

Hell Paradise it is !!!

[ppparksoo-92049 · 9/10 · 26 June 2023]

From the beautiful well crafted opening with an witty comedy to the story and the characters themselves - not to mention the out of this world aesthetic to the genre - Escaping Paradise is set to become something we didn't know that action could be. We're only these episodes in and this movie continues to stun me. Brace yourselves, you're in for a hell of a ride. This is top of the tops, crime to crime entertainment.

I'm speaking as someone who's never watched this kind of action in island and as this is how I went about every title I've ever watched.

I'm hyping the hell out of this movie because that's the impression it left on me. And hey, I've just come out of rewatching all of escaping island movie in anticipation of next, and somehow Escaping Paradise is able to entice my heart with even more emotion

We should all just be glad that we can sit down and revel on these title's as we're currently living in the golden age of action movie.

This is crime paradise!!

[a-05809 · 10/10 · 20 June 2023]

The storyline is good, with great level of depth as well as twists and turns. It's easy to understand and NOT confusing at all.

The pace is fast and compact! Things happen here and there to keep you going, without a sense of boredom from the beginning to the end!

An appropriate level of action was inserted to enhance the visual excitement, e.g. Gunfights and typical action scenes. All these action sequences work well to keep the momentum going. And the clues unfolded one by one to facilitate audiences' understanding towards the cases and reasons for English murder! All the main casts performed well to make it a good movie!

However, two main pitfalls were picked up as follows: Firstly, the pace is fast that it doesn't allow the movie to breathe and the audiences to think through what is going on!

Secondly, each sequences unfolded too quickly! It should allow audiences to process each clue and piece together the accident to guess who is the gang and cops! In fact, this is a action thriller, it should thus confuse audiences more, especially crimer's role with his paranoid delusion and multiple-personality disorder, and challenge our ability to guide the accidents. It's made to look more like an thriller movie, revealing all things abruptly!

I gave 10/ 10. Overall, it's a great movie! I would highly recommend you to watch it in the cinema, to enjoy the tension and dynamic action, which you will not from your laptop or home TV. It's definitely worth your ticket in theater!

D

[mjrcmmzjk · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

What a wonderful movie I've ever seen. Firstly I thought it was a comedy action movie but the reality seem quite different. It showed a variety of story tellings and feelings, emotions.

Besides from the facts I saw from the movie, it is not just an interesting movie thesedays, but also a fantastic movie by the time.

Actually i'm not a big fan of thrillers or horor movies, but the required amount of characters feel me horrible.

Probably next time I'll try to see again. Maybe I'll watch those in my house or Nexflix again. Reviewing this movie is so difficult to explain. So hard to describe and so diffucult to imagine.

This is crime paradise in the world

[ppparksoo · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

I did not expect that I'd likeover-the-hill action stars trying their hand at yet another action movie. Surprisingly, I liked it.

A guy who professionally breaks out of soldiers to show their weaknesses to general officials. It's a heckuva way to earn a living, but it was lucrative. I certainly couldn't do it. He's still in war at the end of the day.

He accepted a travel with his wife to attempt to break out of a new international gang that was off the grid and off-record. This was a paradise of crime that would be used to house the world's worst criminals. The federal government offered him to attempt to break out of this island. Unlike all the other prisons, didn't know where this prison was. In fact, they had next to no information about it. That wasn't a deal breaker because he still had an extraction code and he was chipped for locating. Well, they removed his chip when they rounded him up, and his extraction code was useless in this island.

He met a man named in this crime paradise right away. He curiously gravitated to the island which is something that doesn't easily happen behind bars. It would be the two of them versus the warden, from then on out. They would need each other, a lot of cunning, and a lot of luck to escape the state-of-the-art escape-proof from island.

I like this kind of killing movie !!

[jjunga-80422 · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

Wow. What's even more mind boggling is this filmjointly written with lead action director Lee Whitacker

This film in its entirety was just perfection - there's nothing I can complain about, and nothing I would change. It felt like it was directed by a seasoned action-film director. Every scene, especially the action parts, were seamless. The action choreography was outstanding. Punching a face through a windshield - brilliant! There was so much of that - action scenes I've never seen before that were jaw-dropping. I mean the creative juices were flowing in abundance for this film. And the writing was just as perfect, with an excellent and refreshingly smart story that had the perfect balance of thriller, gore, thrills and suspense. The pacing was perfect so the runtime just flew by. The casting was amazing, you could hear bones shatter. All action scenes were perfectly choreographed and his added thrilling during those scenes was the cherry on top. And his charisma throughout every other scene was just as grand.

This is the best international action crime film I've seen in a long time - and even more impressive is that it was put together by a newb filmmaker. Hopefully that happens soon.

fantastic thriller !!!

[sohyun-22318 · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

Just as fun and involving as expected. This action title is great performance to watch for killing movie!!!

In comparison to other titles, this was an even better mix of action and thriller. It upends the other film not only in quantity of well-choreographed fight scenes, but in extending them into bigger, more full-fledged set-pieces as well. Case in point: a terrific car chase that manages to maneuver into street brawling before getting back on the road chasing. Much as I find this film solid in terms of generally everything (acting, plot, production...), it's the action that kept me glued to the screen, and dammit, it delivered in spades.

If there's one thing I'd call a setback, it's the overall feel of inevitability in how it all pans out. In other words, nothing is really unexpected or original storywise. But that's something you learn to accept and swallow with many films if you're an avid watcher, let alone when it's regarding an action thriller with its goals primarily being that of adrenaline spiking. And laughing at some really well-delivered jokes.

In short, it's another bruising vehicle for giant thriller in Cebu, as well as a thrilling showcase for toufh action done right. Meaning you should watch it ASAP.

Cinema at its finest

[mgmt-35931 · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

I saw this movie at the ABFF film festival and it instantly grabbed my attention! From rip, the action scenes were cinematic and well put together. The director and actors were clearly in sync. Casting was amazing for each role. I'm an action in paradise movie lover so this fit my taste very very well. Deji Laray is growing to be one of of my favorite actors in Hollywood. He seamlessly fits into roles that you wouldn't have thought he would take on. This film takes the cake when it comes to the best work that he's put out. It's great to see a man of color casted for this type of role. It sort of reminds me of Tyrese Gibson in Waist Deep or The Take. I'm curious to see if there's going to be a part 2 because I have a few crazy ideas of what could possibly come next!

Excelent!

[mpaula_r · 10/10 · 29 June 2023]

A pleasure trip turns into a true nightmare, in this film that combines the action of John Wick with the deadly pursuit of In the Blood.

A young couple takes a trip to an exotic island for their anniversary where they befriend a foreigner name Kane. Kane shows them a great time until they discover he's actually a dangerous fugitive from the UK. Now that they know his secret, he is determine to keep them from leaving the island.

A great production of pure adrenaline, crowned by a landscape of dreams, which is 100 percent functional to the narrative. Starring Simon Phillips (Surviving the game, Butchers); Deji LaRay (Modern Family, Bosch); Shayla Hale (NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds); Andrew Davis II; Kylah Dela Peña; and Harrison Montinola.