4/5 Follow Russell Crowe, the Yakuza, the Mafia, and the FBI....
  by Maxine E. Nelson (Tampa, Florida)
This Russell Crowe film is one of his least known works. One should realize it is not in the same caliber as his other great films, but one that should be appreciated as strictly an action hero performance instead. "No Way Out" was not a theaterical release, instead it debuted on cable televison. It has the typical elements of a made for t.v. movie fare; weak script and storyline, minimal character development, and strictly action-driven. However, Russell Crowe turns this film around from your typical action genre movie to a well-paced and well-acted film on his part. This is the first role of Crowe's where he plays a father and a widower. It is ashame there was not enough of an established relationship between father and son. However, it was so adorable to see the character of Zack Grant talk to his son as if an adult and have his son call him by his first name. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by this different kind of film, character, and performance by Russell Crowe in his fourth U.S. film. You will notice how far he has come in his present film career!

4/5 Surprisingly good little actioner
  by
While clearly not big studio fare this fun little film sneaks up and takes you by surprise. Director Frank Cappello moves an interesting set of characters along in a fun and engaging way that is far above what you expect in this kind of low-budget genre piece. Cinematography is especially good and the movie has a slick and stylish look. Effects and action sequences are modest, but well done. The film never seems to take itself too seriously, which is a big plus at this level. I highly recommend this one, but I liked "American Yakuza," the previous effort by this same director-producer-cameraman team even better. Check them both out.

1/5 Even Russell Crowe Can't Save This One
  by
I'm a big fan of Russell Crowe's work, "L.A. Confidential" and "Proof" are among my favorite films. Having said that, I have to place "No Way Back" in the "what was he thinking?" category. Okay, it's a low-budget, made-for-cable action film, and I shouldn't have hoped for too much, right? Well, I've come to expect Russell Crowe to pull a riveting performance out of even a weak script or a two-dimensional character - just watch "The Quick and the Dead" or "Virtuosity" for evidence of that. Unfortunately, Crowe's Zack Grant was flat and uninteresting and the character of Mary, played by Helen Slater, was simply excruciating. The only performance in the whole film worth watching was Etsushi Toyokawa as "bad guy" Yuji. He brought some complexity and subtlety to what could have been just another flat character. The bottom line? Skip this one, even if you're a big Crowe fan. Trust me.

3/5 FBI agent, widowed father in an action filled fix
  by (Chicago)
This is not Crowe's best OR worst movie. I found a lot of heart in this story of a father trying to save his son, by going against his bosses, to surrrender an alleged murderer to the father of his victim. Good shoot out up front, good one in the middle, good ending. Great AZ location shoot!

Helen Slater added much humor to a serious story, and Russell plays well with her character. Gives him a chance to smirk and crack wise. (Note the KIWI Mary carves for Zack).

Anyone notice how there always seems to be some reference to Australia or NZ in every Crowe non-Australian or NZ movie? Worth a look for the Crowe fan. I love the long hair & beard.

5/5 Russell does it again
  by Jennifer Alcock (Mesa, AZ USA)
I am constantly amazed at his abilities as an actor. I fell in love with Russ watching LA Confidential, and was determined to seek out every movie he's been in. I really enjoyed No Way Back as it falls into one of my fave movie genres - the action/drama/organized crime and police type films. His NYC accent was convincing, and his intensity, as always, put this film into the "I'll watch this over and over again" category for me. There was a perfect mix of drama and action, with just a touch of comedy.

I'm glad I bought it from Amazon!