Escape from Tomorrow is a bizarre, unpredictable, and terribly engrossing film. Jim, who has just lost his job, navigates an increasingly surreal Disney World, where every shot is an abstract revelation. He follows two teenage French girls around the park, he has a fling with what looks like a live-action Disney witch, and he cries face down in the hotel pool.
The film’s wacky cinematography has one shot fade from the thrilling view of Epcot’s popular ride Soarin’, to a beautiful, naked woman, to fireworks over the park.
As Jim’s world descends further into madness, the film makes no attempt to answer questions, simply plowing forward with determination. The fact that the entire film was made without the permission of Disney, right under their noses in their very own park, makes it all the more thrilling to watch.
There is little clarity, but director Randy Moore is unapologetic. He throws more and more at the audience until the film is so oversaturated with poignant imagery, familiar music, and a lot of implied creepiness, that all we can do is smile at the fact that for all their legal restrictions and careful security, even Disney gets the wool pulled over their eyes sometimes.
