The Escape Plan - C

Rated R, 116 minutes

Preposterously entertaining, "Escape Plan" pairs two old and too-old action stars

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone

Don't think about it, just go see it. That would be what Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger want you to do with their latest mindless action movie "Escape Plan." And admittedly, these guys keep coming back and keep trying so hard to entertain, even in slick, fast-paced and altogether stupid schlock such as this.  One of the world's foremost authorities on structural security agrees to take on his hardest job: breaking out of an ultra-secret, high-tech facility called "The Tomb." Deceived and wrongly imprisoned, Ray Breslin (Stallone) must recruit fellow inmate Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger) to help devise a daring, nearly impossible plan to escape from the most protected and fortified prison ever built. Ludicrous and utterly preposterous would be understatements in describing "Escape Plan," but it also is rarely dull, modestly watchable and occasionally fun. Directed by Swedish director Mikael Håfström, who directed the John Cusack thriller "1408," it pairs Stallone and Schwarzenegger in their first outing together ("The Expendables" movies are ensemble action pieces, if you want to call them that) and for what it's worth, they do seem to enjoy working together, even if the movie itself is unsurprisingly subpar for them. Preposterously contrived and laughably serious, "Escape Plan" is one the downright silliest, stupidest things I've seen in some time, but I will also admit to being entertained by these two old action stars well past their prime. Even surrounded by a talented cast including a milquetoast villain in "Person of Interest's" Jim Caviziel, along with Amy Ryan, Vincent D'Onfrio, 50 Cent, Vinnie Jones and even Sam Neill, you still must face the fact that Sly and Arnold are just simply too old for this thing; you quickly lose count of all the fast edits, stunt doubles and incredibly good hairpieces that somehow stay in place (Sly you aren't fooling anyone!). "Escape Plan" does have a quick, crowd-pleasing energy to it that's a predictable cross between "Under Seige" and "Con Air" minus Seagal and Cage, both of whom would fit in perfectly here. Ridiculous, mindless fun. Guilty pleasure. It's maybe even "Die Hard" on a boat. Whatever you call it, "Escape Plan" isn't a great movie, but it manages to entertain, and at this point in their careers, Sly and Arnold should be thankful for at least that.

Wes's Grade: C