This movie adheres to many yawn inducing prison tropes such as characters attempting rape, fights in the mess hall, obnoxious guards and a bible bashing warden. But the movie keeps its head above water with very human characterizations which are credibly written and, for the most part, well performed. The producers are clearly more interested in the human interest stories running through the movie as the action is focused on characters betraying one another and vying for respect rather than wall to wall violence. So despite the tired clichés the movie gets a thumbs up from me for attempting a story with substance rather than resorting to relentless violence.
Review of Alcatraz
