"Escape" is a gripping South Korean military thriller with a high-concept plot that aggressively breaks the typical boundaries of the genre. The intriguing storyline revolves around a North Korean defector who flees to South Korea after ten years of service in the military. He is pursued by a relentless North Korean National Security officer, creating a thrilling, tense atmosphere.
The narrative is made more intriguing by intermittent flashbacks peppered throughout the storyline. These contextually rich glimpses into the past work to complicate the otherwise straightforward narrative flow, some potentially questioning their necessity. Despite these minor narrative distractions, the storyline overall remains captivating.
The thriller starts on a high note, introducing viewers to the hyper-focused North Korean Sergeant Lim Kyu-nam, portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, who skilfully navigates a literal mine field as he plots his escape to freedom in South. His calculations become bolder and hopes for freedom clearer with each passing night. However, some unexpected occurrences force him to improvise his next steps. Elements of high tension are introduced when he is promoted by Field Officer Li Hyun-sang and given a commendation that offers him a perfect opportunity to put his plan into action.
However, the narrative's tension falters slightly when Li, portrayed by Koo Kyo-hwan, enters the scene. Although Li's character serves as a contrast to Lim's, his portrayal fails to engage viewers, leading to a lack of emotional investment in the story's main antagonist. His performance lacks depth, and is mainly characterized by an exaggerated twitchiness that falls flat.
Similarly, the inclusion of the secondary character Kim Dong-hyuk's backstory appears contrived and serves to further imbalance the film's narrative. The abrupt narrative tangents, despite having potential to add depth to the story, feel more like distractions than important plot points. The movie frequently strays away from Lim's narrative, draining away the viewer's emotional investment.
The film overall struggles to build character interest and falls short in its psychological exploration of its characters. While some may argue that more action could have spruced up the storyline, it is equally possible that strategical melodrama would have had a more positive impact on the narrative flow. The film excels at provoking curiosity about a world where loyalty is strictly monitored, but fails in delivering an in-depth exploration of this intriguing proposition. Despite the thrilling premise, "Escape" does not fully leverage its full potential, but nonetheless offers an interesting viewing experience.
