Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent death-trap puzzle sequel is scant but effective.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Where to Watch
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Escape Room: Tournament of Champions
What's the Story?
In ESCAPE ROOM: TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, Zoey Davis (Taylor Russell) and Ben Miller (Logan Miller) are still traumatized by the events of the first movie. Despite their vow to go to New York to investigate the evil organization behind the escape room death traps they survived, Zoey is unable to get around her fear of flying. So they hit the road together. No sooner do they arrive at their destination than a thief takes Zoey's prize compass. They give chase and wind up on a subway car. But they soon realize that the car isn't stopping, and that the other passengers are survivors of other deadly games -- and a new game has begun. Can Zoey and Ben make it out a second time?
Is It Any Good?
Despite a slightly too-familiar plot arc, this scant sequel nonetheless offers some cool, intricately designed puzzles and likable enough characters to create a satisfying punch of white-knuckle fun. Again directed by Adam Robitel (the original Escape Room and Insidious: The Last Key), Escape Room: Tournament of Champions borrows an idea from the second Hunger Games -- all the survivors must reassemble to compete -- but, given that the villains of these movies are part of a mysterious, unseen, unknown entity, it works well enough. And after spending a bit too much time getting Zoey and Ben on the road, things kick up a notch.
The traps -- on the subway train, then in a mysterious bank, on a postcard-like beach, on a city street, and more -- are indeed tricky. Despite their frenzy, with characters racing against the clock and shouting at one another, often above either some kind of ominous noise or the music score, the little clues make sense, and the puzzles come together in interesting ways. Every small move could be right or wrong, and these sequences, which make up the majority of the movie, are real seat-grabbers. Escape Room: Tournament of Champions could have tried a little harder on its ending, but there's still enough here for a tense, fun watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Escape Room: Tournament of Champions's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What's the appeal of horror movies? Why do people sometimes like to feel scared?
How does this movie compare to the original? Does the story go into any new directions?
How does the movie demonstrate teamwork, even in the face of certain death?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 16, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : October 5, 2021
- Cast : Taylor Russell , Logan Miller , Holland Roden
- Director : Adam Robitel
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Columbia Pictures , Sony Pictures Releasing
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, terror/peril and strong language
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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