Highly Overrated But Still Good

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The source of "No Way Out" is the 1947 "The Big Clock." "The Big Clock" has no computers, no chases, no final twist, but is so much better than the remake based on it. What it has is an understandable plot, excellent acting by Ray Milland and Charles Laughton, and an unforgettable humorous cameo by Elsa Lancaster. Don't miss "The Big Clock" if it comes your way, but "No Way Out" is worth watching on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

NO WAY OUT is a bit of an oddity. For the first hour or so, I watched this in complete indifference, waiting for the real 'plot' to begin. Watching Costner and Young sleeping together was repetitive and pretty dated, full of '80s tunes and cheesy scenes, like the one in the back of the limousine. Then Hackman's character sets the plot off for real, and suddenly I was hooked. I was behind Costner's character all the way, and I loved the way the scriptwriter trapped him within the imprisoning confines of the Pentagon, hunting for a wronged man whom he knew to be himself. I thought the suspense and twists played out very well. Often in suspense movies, writers are happy to throw out all the old clichés – such as the ticking bomb – but the computer recognition software really makes this film and gives it an edge over its competition.There was a sense of urgency that I rarely find elsewhere in the movies. My heart was pounding as Costner's plight became ever more deadly and how his enemies were gradually closing in. A COMMANDO-style action set-piece in a shopping mall threatens to destroy credibility, but then the suspense comes back stronger than ever, lasting right until the thrilling ending. Then we get an extra coda, one of those big 'twist' endings that throws the whole previous film on its head. I have to say that I disliked this twist. It didn't feel real, and it felt tacked-on as a last minute thing ("oh, wouldn't that be cool?"). To be honest, I would have preferred the film without it, but there we go.A strong cast delivers a fine script in this one. It's one of Costner's best movies, and Hackman's multi-layered villain is another solid entry in the actor's career. Will Patton is delightfully evil as the slimy aide. Other good characters are George Dzundza as Costner's wheelchair-bound buddy and Marshall Bell and Chris D as a couple of hulking hit men. NO WAY OUT is one of those films that doesn't have to have shoot-outs every five minutes to be exciting – in fact, the action scenes are few and far between, and I counted just a couple of them. No, here the urgency comes from the well-plotted situation the central character finds himself in – and it's a rare beast to find a film so enthralling because of that.

"No Way Out" is simply one of the best Kevin Costner movies I've ever seen. I believe this was where he scored his first break as a talented action star with his sexy and heart throb good looks. The cover up story is very nerve racking that you can really feel the suspense around it. The movie runs for almost 2 hours and it takes you around the Washington DC area & the Pentagon and is worth watching over & over again. The chronology of episodes really intensifies the viewers until the whole cover up explodes at the climax. The movie also ignites with passion, as Kevin Costner fell for the Secretary of Foreign Affair's mistress played by Sean Young. Of course, Gene Hackman, one of the all time best actors around, also played a good role as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Sex & politics is just a hot topic of our times and in the coming November 2000 elections especially when loyalty and integrity and devotion to your job & countrymen come into play. That's what this movie stirs some criticisms but not this extreme.Fast-paced, suspenseful, and exhibiting all the aspects of a classic Soviet-era spy game drama, "No Way Out" will have you poised on the edge of your seat. The story is really well done & shines in the movie. The camera-work is really good, as is the music, special effects, & the pacing, but the pacing is uneven at spots but generally well done. With a fine supporting role from Will Patton (who would later appear in the less successful "The Postman" with Costner) "No Way Out" keeps you on the edge of your seat from start-to-surprise end finish.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

Kevin Costner hit's a home run with this, excellent performance maybe of his career, next to Field of Dreams.. Gene Hackman is at his usual best in this. Will Patton plays his role perfectly,, and for me Sean Young just stole the show,, not only is she very sexy,, but she can act as well,, love the line in the movie where she tells the short guy that's trying to look down her dress,, to grow a few inches if you wanna look down my dress,, that just brought me so much laughter. A Military Officer is brought in to be a liason to the Defense Secretary to the NSA , and other various government branches.. When the Secretary accidentally kills his mistress. the cover up is on,, they invent a ghost terrorist, who has dropped off the map for years,, to take the blame,, not going to say a lot more, but you do get a good look inside the massive pentagon,, and the beginning of the movie has a great tracking shot of the downtown D.C. area.. great movie,, all star cast,, great actioneer.