Why I Spent Almost Three Hours Enjoying 'The Next Three Days'. (Netflix Jewel #3)

If you take upcoming attractions and advertisements into account, I spent almost three hours at the theater for this action packed flick. Rather unknown after a disappointing run in theaters, The Next Three days is an underrated film. The premise is extreme and the plot implausible but the execution of this film is pure fun entertainment. The film revolves around John Brennan (Russell Crowe), a college professor who plots to break his wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks) out of prison after she is accused (perhaps wrongfully) of murder. The majority of the film focuses on the planning and preparations for the escape along with the escape itself. This film is a non-stop action packed thrill ride with every tense moment you can imagine. Russell Crowe is one of my favorite actors of all time and he serves the role well in the film. The solid performances by Crowe and Banks cover up most of the films weaknesses.
For those of you like my father who hate anything at all unrealistic you will have enough to complain about but the film is done well enough to hold face. Crowe is obviously very intelligent and brave as the college professor looking to break his wife out of prison. He approaches the escape as he would a school project, methodically, clear headed and without hesitation. A brief appearance by Liam Neeson, as an ex-con who has escaped prison and yet written a well known book about it, is always welcome but probably adds more confusion than helping the story line. The escape is the real star of the film. The escape is well planned, not rushed and executed beautifully. Obviously there are the few unbelievable coincidences and timing issues but there is no insane unrealistic car jump or explosion. The married couple manages to get away clean and in a clean fashion. Obviously I am a little biased because these are my favorite type of films but I thought that this was a refreshing take on the genre and if nothing else I promise you that you won’t be bored.

Sex: Nothing
Violence: There is action and one very violent scene
Language: Its PG13!
Drugs: Drug Dealers and some referencing
Rated: PG-13
Run time: 124 minutes
Grade: 3 Stars