Rating: 
Summary: Even Russell Crowe Can't Save This One
Review: I'm a big fan of Russell Crowe's work, "L.A. Confidential" and "Proof" are among my favorite films. Having said that, I have to place "No Way Back" in the "what was he thinking?" category. Okay, it's a low-budget, made-for-cable action film, and I shouldn't have hoped for too much, right? Well, I've come to expect Russell Crowe to pull a riveting performance out of even a weak script or a two-dimensional character - just watch "The Quick and the Dead" or "Virtuosity" for evidence of that. Unfortunately, Crowe's Zack Grant was flat and uninteresting and the character of Mary, played by Helen Slater, was simply excruciating. The only performance in the whole film worth watching was Etsushi Toyokawa as "bad guy" Yuji. He brought some complexity and subtlety to what could have been just another flat character. The bottom line? Skip this one, even if you're a big Crowe fan. Trust me.
Rating: 
Summary: Got to get a living
Review: No one would say this film is worth to keep forever, but... But, as one third zone thriller, one migth say the buying is acceptable. Certainly the occasion to see Russell Crowe in a widower/father part. A pity the relationship with the boy is so bad shown, a pity the character are so thin. A Z movie only available in video rental. Try it.
Rating: 
Summary: If you absolutelt LOVE Russell Crowe...
Review: OK, so it's not the best movie ever made, but NO ONE can second guess Crowe's ability to put himself inside a character until the viewer forgets who he really is. (like that fact that he's an Aussie, and NOT from Jersey.) I think the absurd character 'Mary' was a little (OK, a LOT) too 'flighy' of a flight attendant for my tastes, but let's just forget about her, OK? Also, was it possible for yuji to have a more annoying and difficult to understand voice? Oh well, overall, I enjoyed this movie, but that's mostly because I am such a HUGE Russell Crowe fan! (Also, the kid who played Crowe's son was just so gosh darned cute! )
Rating: 
Summary: No Way Back ... Thank Heaven
Review: Stupid story. Since when do skinheads work for the Mafia? And how did the Japanese get involved? When is the last time a Mafia king-pin kidnapped an FBI agent's son? Nevertheless, Helen Slater saves this from the re-cycle bin. She is sweet and good-natured and her scenes with Russell Crowe are the best part of the movie. (Get a hair-cut and a shave Russell. I got sick of watching you push your hair out of your eyes, only to have it fall back into disarray.) We saw L. A. Confidential and liked the three leads, Crowe, Spacey and Pearce, so we have been shopping for more of their work. We should have passed on this one.
Rating:
Summary: FBI agent, widowed father in an action filled fix
Review: This is not Crowe's best OR worst movie. I found a lot of heart in this story of a father trying to save his son, by going against his bosses, to surrrender an alleged murderer to the father of his victim. Good shoot out up front, good one in the middle, good ending. Great AZ location shoot!Helen Slater added much humor to a serious story, and Russell plays well with her character. Gives him a chance to smirk and crack wise. (Note the KIWI Mary carves for Zack). Anyone notice how there always seems to be some reference to Australia or NZ in every Crowe non-Australian or NZ movie? Worth a look for the Crowe fan. I love the long hair & beard.
Rating:
Summary: FBI agent, widowed father in an action filled fix
Review: This is not Crowe's best OR worst movie. I found a lot of heart in this story of a father trying to save his son, by going against his bosses, to surrrender an alleged murderer to the father of his victim. Good shoot out up front, good one in the middle, good ending. Great AZ location shoot! Helen Slater added much humor to a serious story, and Russell plays well with her character. Gives him a chance to smirk and crack wise. (Note the KIWI Mary carves for Zack). Anyone notice how there always seems to be some reference to Australia or NZ in every Crowe non-Australian or NZ movie? Worth a look for the Crowe fan. I love the long hair & beard.
Rating:
Summary: Russell Crowe, need I say more?
Review: This is not rocket science material. It is escapism and nothing more. The two saving graces in this movie are Russell Crowe and Helen Slater. The banter between them is worth every second. They argue about humming and who the best starship captain is. I would have liked to see more character development between Slater and Crowe. The ending left a lot to be desired, but hey, one can't be too critical of any movie with Russell Crowe.
Rating:
Summary: Russell Crowe, need I say more?
Review: This is not rocket science material. It is escapism and nothing more. The two saving graces in this movie are Russell Crowe and Helen Slater. The banter between them is worth every second. They argue about humming and who the best starship captain is. I would have liked to see more character development between Slater and Crowe. The ending left a lot to be desired, but hey, one can't be too critical of any movie with Russell Crowe.
Rating:
Summary: Avoid like the plague
Review: This is without doubt the worst film I have ever seen. And believe me, I've seen some stinkers in my time. But the formulaic and pointless plot, the twist you could see a mile off and the UNBELIEVABLY annoying air hostess (please God may her plane go down) make it truly appalling viewing. It doesn't even slip into that 'it's so bad it's good category', it's just plain and simple atrocious. The only reason this has been granted a DVD release is the presence of hot property Russell Crowe, but I'm sure it's a film he too will want to forget.
Rating:
Summary: Follow Russell Crowe, the Yakuza, the Mafia, and the FBI....
Review: This Russell Crowe film is one of his least known works. One should realize it is not in the same caliber as his other great films, but one that should be appreciated as strictly an action hero performance instead. "No Way Out" was not a theaterical release, instead it debuted on cable televison. It has the typical elements of a made for t.v. movie fare; weak script and storyline, minimal character development, and strictly action-driven. However, Russell Crowe turns this film around from your typical action genre movie to a well-paced and well-acted film on his part. This is the first role of Crowe's where he plays a father and a widower. It is ashame there was not enough of an established relationship between father and son. However, it was so adorable to see the character of Zack Grant talk to his son as if an adult and have his son call him by his first name. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by this different kind of film, character, and performance by Russell Crowe in his fourth U.S. film. You will notice how far he has come in his present film career!
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