Director: Steven C.
Miller
Notable Cast: Huang
Xiaoming, Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, Jaime King, Curtis “50 Cent”
Jackson, Jesse Metcalfe, Wes Chatham, Titus Welliver, Lydia Hull, Chen Tang,
Tyron Woodley, Pete Wentz
One of the more fascinating elements of American cinema is
how the foreign box office has become a significant indicator of how successful
a film is or isn’t. Not only in terms of the big blockbusters, but even for the
middle of the road films. A film like Escape
Plan, a mid-budget action thriller starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold
Schwarzenegger, stumbled at the domestic box office, but did surprising numbers
overseas – specifically in China. It was enough that a sequel was announced
later on and that it would be geared to appeal to that foreign market rather
than the 80s meets modern action thriller that the first one meant to
capitalize on. Thus, we have Escape Plan
2: Hades and the initial response from critics and fans alike were less
than stellar. However, Hades is
hardly just a throwaway sequel with a name attachment meant to continue a
franchise. This film is an entertainingly silly sequel that truly attempts to
create a more layered ‘conspiracy’ to further the events of the first film.
Yes, to agree with most of the criticisms of this film, Hades is bad. I would never make the claim for it to be a good
film, but it's going to find its cult audience in 10 years that thoroughly
enjoys it for being so problematic and silly. I'll be waiting for you all to
catch up with me.