extremely heavy on the anti-communist propaganda and the capitalist propaganda in response (about the usual spiel you’d expect from any ‘more western’ part of the country in the equation of these conflict movies), escape is at least an action-packed, sometimes comedically directed, and very quick-paced cat-and-mouse thriller across the metaphorical and literal finish line. koo kyo-hwan never found a camera that isn’t obsessed with him and he is the only person here that gives this story a much needed inner life, even at the hands of a very stereotypical character sketch. the song kang and esom cameos added more tension to this operation than half of the protagonist’s solo screentime. 

high-octane and therefore entertaining to watch, this film remains more enjoyable if you don’t ponder on the ideological forces (or lack thereof) at play here. i think this film plays much better on a movie screen than at home, but i see that as its strength rather an added weakness.