* Spoiler alert * I will describe the opening events of the film
Escape From Paradise is yet another film that takes place sometime in the future after an ecological disaster has occurred.
At the beginning a child finds a medallion at the beach and then stumbles across an old man who claims the medallion is his, subsequently the old man goes on to tell the story behind it, so that is the setup for the movie.
The tale concerns two young people, Teo and Beatrice, whom live apart in an underground vault. Their separation is not by choice however, since this vault is governed by a computer named Harry - it decides which males and females are compatible to be paired together. Of course, Teo & Beatrice are very much in love and wish to be together, but doubt whether Harry will give them its blessing. The two can see each other on view screens, and neither having seen the outside world, only experience a limited controlled version of it through holographic simulations, in one scene it appears Teo is running on a tread-mill while Beatrice is running along a field on-screen - the low budget is clearly in evidence, but the idea of them being alone together is nonetheless adequately conveyed.
One night Teo decides to borrow his father's cherished Medallion to find out what all the fuss is about while his parents are out for the evening to take in some cultural entertainment, featuring (gulp) semi-nude Gladiatorial combat on harnesses - this really has to be seen to be believed, quite hilarious. When Teo & Beatrice discover the medallion contains a video-disc showing images of the outside world, both beauty and disaster, they decide it must be investigated. Together with the help of a robot (think Buck Rogers '81 season two) Teo and Beatrice find a way out of their designated sectors to the ruined world above. Of course, the parents are worried sick their children are missing, so a military-like group are sent out to retrieve them headed by the menacing commander Thor, played convincingly by the late Buchholz.
I suppose at its core the scenario is akin to one found in an episode of the original Twilight Zone or Outer Limits, brought up to date with more cruelty and violence. There are definite shades of Bronx Warriors with the obligatory flame-throwers featured prominently, but given the innocence of the central characters' there is moments of sensitivity and warmth that characterizes this piece and moreover puts some distinction between it and the glut of Post-Apocalyptic outings of the 80's & 90's.
