Escape From Death Block 13 (2021) Review

Directed by: Gary Jones

Starring: Robert Bronzi, Nicholas Turturro, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Chris Hahn, Debbie Scaletta, Lyindaa Russell, Tim Lovelace

Synopsis: After the death of his brother, Mick Kovacs travels to America to seek justice. Framed for attempted murder, he is sent to the notorious Pleasant Hill Penitentiary where survival is an everyday struggle. Seeking revenge after discovering the truth behind his brother’s death, Mick’s rage ignites an explosive riot as he makes a daring escape.

Review: Bronzi is back as Mick Kovacs in this explosive new action movie, Escape from Death Block 13.

The story isn’t anything we haven’t seen before, but there are only so many ways to go with a prison movie, so some forgiveness is needed. The story has us rooting for the lead character, Mick Kovacs, who is framed and wrongly imprisoned, and fearfully, we watch on as a corrupt prison warden runs the camp. Kovacs is offered a reduced sentence if he reports narcotics being imported and exported from the prison, and to do this of course, he has to blend in with the gangs. He is taken under the wing of a prison mob, including the prison baddie, Bunyan (played by the intimidating Chris Hahn, who looks like he eats steel for breakfast!). You can see that Chris Hahn is having a absolute riot playing this role, and when he and Bronzi come to blows, it’s well worth the wait. The story and character arcs in Escape from Death Block 13 breeds the perfect blend of action and chaos.

Director, Gary Jones, brings the movie to life with flare and energy. He showcases Bronzi as more than just a Charles Bronson clone; Bronzi shines in his performance. Gary Jones brings elements from other prison block busters such as The Shawshank Redemtion, Escape From Alcatraz, and even similarities to Death Warrant. He ensures, too, that the characters are engaging and relatable, and you care for them in this fun Bronzi adventure.

In terms of combat, there are a few fist-fights which will keep the action fans content until the big finale, when the film completely cuts loose! We are spoiled with an intense 2-on-1 showdown; there is a hot-blooded action segment with a mini-gun, and of course, Bronzi is blowing stuff up with a grenade launcher. It is an explosive blaze of glory!

Escape From Death Block 13 is a fun throwback movie that captures the old-school essence of action and Bronzi, once again, shines on screen and is making his mark in the action genre.