Escape Plan 2: Hades is the sequel to the 2013 action-thriller, Escape Plan, which starred Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. This time we see Stallone (Ray Breslin) manage a team of elite security specialists trained in the art of breaking out of the world’s most impenetrable prison with the supporting cast of Huang Xiaoming, Chen Tang and Jesse Metcalfe and WWE SuperStar, Dave Bautista.

Cast and crew

Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, Xiaoming Huang, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, Jaime King, Jesse Metcalfe, Titus Welliver, and Wes Chatham

Directed by Steven C. Miller

Rating: 16LV

Genre: Action- thriller

Running time: 96 minutes

The Plot

Ray Breslin (Stallone) is a security consultant who specialises in working out how to escape out of maximum security prisons when his trusted operative, Shu Ren, is kidnapped and disappears inside the most elaborate prison ever built. Ray, as part of Shu’s rescue effort, assembles his next-gen security force to tackle the obstacles associated with an impenetrable prison break. Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, ‘Shu Ren’ is trapped in a hi-tech prison with his cousin (Chen Tang) and colleague Luke (Jesse Metcalfe), he must work out how the shifting Rubik’s Cube-like levels of the prison are structured in order to get out and save himself and cousin.

The film includes an impressive quota of action-packed fight scenes, since the warden has a policy of forcing his inmates to engage in violent cage matches – the prizes of which are time spent in a virtual environment, where they enjoy some relaxing, VR fantasy.

Escape Plan 2: Hades opens in cinemas, nationwide on 02 November 2018. Are we crazy to wanting to check it out?

If you haven’t latched on already, my excitement levels are on the ultimate high. I feel like all my movie watching life has been in preparation and building up to this movie, that’s an honest assessment. Hotly riding on its previous successes including the recent and epic Black Panther movie, Marvel is seemingly delivering the ultimate knock out punch with their latest offering coming in the shape of Infinity War. Word of advice, this is going to be one of my longest reviews as it should considering what it’s based on…so best be prepared.

Cast – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin & Chris Pratt

Directors – Anthony & Joe Russo

Genre – Fantasy/Science fiction film

Running Time – 2h 40m

The movie Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1 was officially announced in October 2014 with the Russo brothers coming on board to direct it in April 2015. By May, Markus and McFeely signed on to write the script for the flick, which drew inspiration from Jim Starlin’s 1991 “The Infinity Gauntlet” comic and Jonathan Hickman’s 2013 “Infinity” comic. In July 2016, Marvel shortened the title to Avengers: Infinity War. Filming began in January 2017 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia, and lasted until July 2017, shooting back-to-back with a direct sequel. Additional filming took place in Scotland, England, the Downtown Atlanta area and New York City.

The Plot

If you’ve been following the trilogy, like most of us, Infinity War picks up two years after the Avengers were torn apart during the events of Captain America: Civil War, Thanos (played by Josh Brolin who is also set to feature as Cable on the upcoming Deadpool movie) arrives on Earth to collect the Infinity Stones for a gauntlet that will allow him to bend reality to his will. The Avengers must join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop him before his onslaught of destruction puts an end to half the universe.

With so many layers to the movie, it’s hard to determine where to start exactly analysing it. What I will say from the onset though is it lived up to the billing and more, Infinity War blew my socks off and I can safely confirm that it is now one of my favourite movies ever, bunched up there with the likes of Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. In my book it is one of the best movies made and definitely the best comic book and fantasy led movie at the moment.

From the beginning it’s apparent that Marvel weren’t messing about with this one with the opening scene getting straight to the point involving some of the Avengers team members, the larger than life Thanos and his team of generals. Larger than life because that’s exactly what he is, he is almost Godlike. Marvel did a fantastic job with the CGI created character villain who blew me away. I’ve always said one of the biggest things that make a movie work well is the villain and Thanos in this instance is a more than worthy instigator deserving of going up against our favourite heroes.

Most of the storyline revolves around the villain who is hellbent on accomplishing his main mission and causing all kinds of destruction in his wake whilst at it. A fantastic job Marvel made to have Brolin play him, talk about a perfect fit. What I especially like about Thanos is how his character is humanized with softer moments accompanied by pure power, madness, narcissism, charm and dominance.  

Considering the number of moving parts involved, it would have been easy for a story like this to go sideways quickly…Marvel in conjunction with the Russo brothers did a fantastic job of knitting it all together perfectly and giving just about every hero and scene enough attention and screen time. I’m blown away by how everything was done perfectly in under two and a half hours, nothing felt rushed or out of place.

The concept of also having our heroes fighting for the same cause in different universes and parts of the earth was brilliant. In addition, the fight scenes were everything and more giving us a taste of what our favourite heroes are best known for, from Doctor Strange and his mind bending magic tricks and sorcery to Thor’s pure resilience and power…this movie had it all! The added humour in parts also made this a joy to watch. I’m afraid I don’t have anything bad to say about it, it’s near perfection. The now famous ending of the movie should also have you speechless and sets up the sequel perfectly…I wish that was coming out today! Needless to say, stick around for the short end credit scene after the movie has ended.

Marvel have delivered another masterpiece and literally a massive knockout punch, without a doubt their best movie ever. Topping this is going to be tough even for them. In my book, Infinity War is already a classic. Filled with all kinds of emotions, great characters and a fantastic piece of storytelling, this movie is everything and more. After watching I can safely confirm that it is indeed the movie I’ve been preparing for all my life. I don’t mind watching this one over and over again, in fact I’m going to watch it again and again and again…that’s why it gets an out of this world 9 out of 10 rating from me.

As always, special thanks to Ster Kinekor & MNet Movies for hooking a brother up with another superb screening.

Luckily for us there is a latest installment in the series coming in the shape of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. As you can probably imagine, I couldn’t afford to miss out or wait to see it this time around. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Marvel’s work and when it was announced that the bunch in this installment will be part of the much-anticipated Avengers: Infinity War flick, my excitement and intrigue was barely containable. Adding to that, Volume 2 of this series includes a fantastic cast that should further add to the argument of why it’s a must see. On paper it looks good but does it measure up?

Cast – Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone & Kurt Russell

Director – James Gunn

Genre – Science fiction film/Action

Running Time – 136 minutes

The Plot

Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid.

The above doesn’t give you a proper idea of what to expect or what to make of the storyline this time around. The trailer might help change that but it probably won’t help convince most who are new to the trilogy to bother making the effort to watch it…

So why should you bother? Why you ask…well because it’s worth it and then some. I mentioned above that this movie is different from all other superhero movies, it has all the makings of a good movie, from action right through to funny moments that will have you chuckling throughout. One of the main things I mostly enjoyed though was its silliness, yes I can safely confirm that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is very silly, a good kind of silly that most if not everyone will enjoy, it’s perfect for the whole family.

It mostly doesn’t take itself too seriously and I for one enjoyed that and even though it’s way too stretched in terms of running time, no doubt you’ll enjoy watching every moment. With another installment confirmed to be in the works, you should do yourself a favor and go check this one out, and of course if you haven’t seen the first one then do so – it should help give you an idea of what all the hype is about. Is it perfect? No, but only a few movies are these days – I would have liked to see more action scenes but then again that’s just my opinion and to be honest overall package more than makes up for the supposed faults one might find.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a good superhero movie that is also perfect for the whole family. If you are an avid movie watcher and have a hit list (like me) of movies to watch and tick off then this should be part of that without a doubt. A 3.5 out of 5 rating is what it gets from me.