Abashiri Bangaishi

A slow but steady paced prison film that turns in to a slow but steady paced escape film during the half way point. The directing and acting is solid even if the characters aren't very fleshed out and the story itself isn't all that compelling.

Prison drama suffers from a slowly paced first half, using awkward intercutting of expository backstory for each prisonmate - once the planning and execution of the prison break happens, the film picks up considerably, leading to a stunning, beautifully shot chase sequence, set on picaresque ice floes. Deneumont involving a train is as nerve-jangling a sequence as any modern action has to offer! Second half is definitely worth sticking around for.