Is Prison Break Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

📖 The Core Premise

Prison Break returns to the screen in 2017, bringing a fresh narrative to the TV Movie, Drama, Crime genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "One late night in June 1942, Sakuma Seitaro dangles from the frame of a skylight in an isolation cell in Akita Prison. He forces open the glass window and breaks out of jail. This crime even reaches the ears of Urata Susumu, the chief warden of Kosuge Prison in Tokyo. Urata had been in charge of those sentenced to life in the prison until last year. Although Sakuma is a dangerous person who had also broken out of jail in Aomori, he submits to Urata who is the only person who had treated him kindly in the past. However, three months after escaping from jail, Sakuma shows up at Urata’s house. He has come to complain about the inhumane Akita prison officers. But he is locked up again after Urata notifies the police during an unguarded moment. A year later, Sakuma is sent to Abashiri Prison and Urata is also ordered to transfer as the prison’s chief warden."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Takeshi Kitano does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good TV Movie. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Prison Break worth your time? If you appreciate TV Movie, Drama, Crime films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Prison Break is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 108 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.