Escape from the 21st Century (2024) Review
What if a sneeze could transport your 18-year-old soul into your 20-years-older self? What if, by chance, this led to saving the world? Three middle-aged individuals with the soul of 18-year-old high school students embark on a world-altering journey 20 years into the future, creating a bizarre, entertaining, and heartwarming adventure story. Starring Ruoyun Zhang (JOY OF LIFE), Elane Zhong (YOUTH), Yang Song (WRATH OF SILENCE), Xiaoling Wu (THE WANDERING EARTH) and Yanmanzi Zhu (THE WANDERING EARTH II), ESCAPE FROM THE 21ST CENTURY is written and directed by Yang Li (LEE’S ADVENTURE).
ESCAPE FROM THE 21ST CENTURY plays out like an amalgamation of director Edgar Wright’s cult movie JOE PILGRIM VS THE WORLD, the Oscar-winning EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE as well as Stephen Chow’s KUNG-FU HUSTLE, whilst still retaining a freshness, proving both funnier and more consistent than the aforementioned movies.
Director Yang Li blends different film-making techniques and styles fluidly and assuredly. The resulting film is both clever and wildly inventive. With so many contrasting elements in the mix – sci-fi, martial arts and comedy for starters – you would be forgiven for thinking that the team behind this had bitten off more than they can chew, surprisingly they haven’t.
The film has many stand-out moments, with my personal favourite being the scene where the friends keep popping back in time with the intention of destroying bicycles that could cause the demise of a relative. This scene is effortless and is without doubt one of the funniest things I have seen in film for an age.
ESCAPE FROM THE 21ST CENTURY is not a film for those that tend to get hung up on plot contrivances or inconsistencies. It is however a film for those amongst you that fancy something of a different flavour. If you do and you’re up for the ride, prepare to be ‘wowed’ by one of the most fluid and inventive movies of recent years.
ESCAPE FROM THE 21ST CENTURY from the 21st Century is available on Digital Platforms 24 February and Blu-ray 24 March. Distributed by Signature Entertainment
Trailer YouTube
