The Next Three Days

Old school. Maybe I’m being too generous, but I really like this. Russell roolz. A great idea and skillful execution make this genre film a great watch where you’ll be rooting for the hero till death do you part. Crowe is pleasantly civilian and even reminded me of a guy I know so much that it was weird. Liam Neeson’s cameo was pleasing and Olivia Wilde was amazing as always. And Elfman did another great job with the music. Thumbs up. (22/02/2011)

A solid escape thriller consisting of two different parts. Russel’s wife is arrested and gets a life sentence for murder (that she committed / didn’t commit?) and he decides to set her free in an extra-judicial way. The first (longer) part is about the escape plan, the second is about the execution. The script is very good, because it doesn’t show all the cards during the planning stage and things become clear only during the execution, which is a very rare approach in similar films. The escape itself is very briskly an tensely shot, but unfortunately, after the WTF moment on the motorway, the film loses its pace and continues at half-speed till the end. The epilogue is unnecessary (and maybe also counterproductive), but regardless of the not fully satisfactory ending, the feeling of a “fine genre piece” remains. 7/10 PS: The poster made of photos is very cool! (25/01/2011)

Paul Haggis seems to always focus on a topic where he is the strongest: social empathy, in this case, family. A very unique film, packed with emotions and very realistic scenes. The leading duo is phenomenal from beginning to the end. Some scenes are so realistic that make your blood freeze, surprisingly, usually adorned with fascinating dialogues. The preparation for the escape is captivating, but the real inferno only begins when it comes to a breaking point. Ironically, the film, with very little action, is much faster and more lively than most action flicks. A truly monstrous masterpiece, with an incredibly fucking cool, without a single flaw. (15/08/2011)

A remake better than the original. That’s mainly because Haggis is much better at family tension than Cavayé. He succeeds mainly because the American family is much more accessible. The burden of the husband's fate is not almost existential, but instead is driven by a clear daddy motivation and offers more audience-appealing elements (the tennis ball tick, the bumpkey, the time press). My only criticism is towards the lack of more vigorous chasers (Quinn’s character is basically made for it!). Otherwise, it’s the best "escape" film since The Fugitive. 4 ½. (20/09/2011)

A very thrilling civilian thriller with an ending that irons out all moral dilemmas and doubts to the detriment of the whole. Russell Crowe is beginning to find himself in the roles of overweight intellectual gladiators. And he's definitely doing better than the dashing outlaws. Overall, a pleasant surprise that will not disappoint fans of "escape" movies. If it wasn't for that excessive schematic ending, I'd give it a clean four stars, so I'm pointing out that on star is a little less than full. (19/01/2011)