Not without interest, definitely, an original and exciting premise I really like, with great sets, decent acting by some, an a real good looking, honorable hero, with a bit of a past, who with a band of others, are intent to bring down an evil score of law enforcers. These bad guy control facilities- safe havens where our scared society, take refuge in a now rotting and crushed New York. Some nice hooters, bdsm wear, a bit of lesbianism, and some nasty gore, are some of the film's assets, plus a killer rock soundtrack, are of course, just not enough to bring to a good quality sci-fi action pic, so accept it for what it is, guiltily indulgent and .entertaining The lead pom talking bad guy, and the do gooder blind guy, standouts.
5 Reviews
DUCK AWAY FROM THIS ONE.
rsoonsa2 February 2004
Its fundamental premise is not without interest within this film's storyline: in a dystopian future, urban enclaves would be established called safehavens, for common protection of selected inhabitants, although how these should obtain food, utility services, et alia, is not considered. Nor is the work overall done well, for although budgetary restraints obviously hinder the production, it is yet more ostensible that the script, acting and, in particular, unfocussed direction present too many burdens to surmount. Apparently shot in a portion of the Bronx undergoing "urban renewal", the action opens with a family of four, the Colts, including two adult offspring, which has been hopeful of gaining sanctuary in Safehaven #186, arriving there after the Colt application for entrance has been accepted by the commune's management. Feelings of relief that the Colts enjoy at their new refuge are blighted in short order when they find that the mercenaries who have been hired to protect dwellers have become autocratic rulers of the safehaven while gaining pleasure from savagely hectoring all who live there. Owing to this cruel treatment, a rebellious faction of safehaven tenants has clandestinely organized resistance, joined by a former mercenary played by Rick Gianasi who heroically becomes the only possible liberator for the depressed safehaven residents, expressly so for the outspoken Colts who are singled out for brutal punishment by the despots. For some in the cast, it is their only film credit, but along with this inexperience is flaccid direction that often centers upon scenes of harsh violence and aimless sexual perversion at the expense of scenario continuity. One feels appreciation for those worthies of the crew who serve the picture with imaginative production and costume design, albeit to little avail in the face of a poor script and weak helmsmanship.
Pretty bad movie
the_doofy12 April 2018
I just ran across this, saw the imdb rating and it had two completely different reviews, so decided to check it out.
Bad acting, Bad lighting, good costumes, confined set pieces, mediocre camera work, about 5-6 topless women (who can't act), some of the fight scenes were ok and the rest were bad. Not much story development
all in all not really worth watching, especially when U compare it to decent independent movies that are coming out today.
also this film in no shape or form stacks up to the better movies of its genre and movie era
Bad acting, Bad lighting, good costumes, confined set pieces, mediocre camera work, about 5-6 topless women (who can't act), some of the fight scenes were ok and the rest were bad. Not much story development
all in all not really worth watching, especially when U compare it to decent independent movies that are coming out today.
also this film in no shape or form stacks up to the better movies of its genre and movie era
Very good movie
jelle_jonker10 September 2017
I have watched this movie maybe 20 times and I still enjoy it. It is one of the forgotten diamonds the movie industry has to offer. The actors are very convincing, i do not understand why they never got any big Hollywood blockbuster signings. So go ahead and watch this forgotten masterpiece, that is if you can find one because it is only available on VHS.
Post-apocalypse misfire
lor_30 March 2023
My review was written in February 1989 after a Westside Manhattan screening.
"Escape from Safehaven" is an impoverished sci-fi film, offering little interest for exploitation audiences.
Set in the future after a world collapse and shot on decrepit locations in the Bronx, pic looks more like a backyard movie than a pro effort as thesps familiar from local B pictures huddle in a refuge or safehaven from the marauding scavengers (not shown) outside.
A stranger (Rick Gianisi) returns to help the bedraggled family that's being persecuted by Safehaven evil leaders Marcus Powell and Roy MacArthur (both baddie roles are cast with Brits. Uninvolving action has an uprising of rebels versus the status quo within the housing project locale, nearly everyone styled with punk garb. There's nothing that's the slightest bit futuristic on view.
Sole diversion hee is statuesque Tere Malson, cast as a blonde dominatrix wielding a mean whip who has the good sense to carefully remove her top while torturing Gianasi. Otherwise pic is drab, ugly and in need of a storyline. Many of the principals behind and in front of the camera made the fun horror flick "The Rejuvenator" but strike out this time.
"Escape from Safehaven" is an impoverished sci-fi film, offering little interest for exploitation audiences.
Set in the future after a world collapse and shot on decrepit locations in the Bronx, pic looks more like a backyard movie than a pro effort as thesps familiar from local B pictures huddle in a refuge or safehaven from the marauding scavengers (not shown) outside.
A stranger (Rick Gianisi) returns to help the bedraggled family that's being persecuted by Safehaven evil leaders Marcus Powell and Roy MacArthur (both baddie roles are cast with Brits. Uninvolving action has an uprising of rebels versus the status quo within the housing project locale, nearly everyone styled with punk garb. There's nothing that's the slightest bit futuristic on view.
Sole diversion hee is statuesque Tere Malson, cast as a blonde dominatrix wielding a mean whip who has the good sense to carefully remove her top while torturing Gianasi. Otherwise pic is drab, ugly and in need of a storyline. Many of the principals behind and in front of the camera made the fun horror flick "The Rejuvenator" but strike out this time.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
