Botching a huge bust has just dealt Special Agent Zack Grant a hand he wasnt expecting. His department considers him a disgrace. The Mafia have his son hostage, and now to clear his name and save his son, he has to get involved with the Japanese Yakuza, and bring back one of their top men. In too deep and way over his head, Zack Grant is in a spot he cant get out of, and now theres No Way Back.

No Way Back stars Russell Crowe as Zack Grant, a special agent who is called upon to lead a federal unit to bring down the son of a huge mob boss, Frank Sariano (played by Michael Lerner). But after making a bad judgment call, and sending in a rookie agent who goes haywire, Zack lands himself in some hot water with his department. Yet, after figuring out that the agent he sent in was actually working with the Yakuza, and using a little detective work, Zack finds a way to clear his name. However, to do so wont be easy. Zack must journey to Japan and go undercover to bring back one of Yakuzas big bosses, Yuji (Japanese actor Etsushi Toyokawa). Bringing Yuji back to justice wont be easy because, not only will Zack have to deal with the Yakuza gunmen, Sariano has taken Grants son, and is offering a trade for the life of Yuji, whom he believes to be the man responsible in his sons murder. Making the choice for Zack wont be easy but along for the ride is a flighty stewardess (Helen Slater in the worst form of her career), who may be able to inspire Zack in to making the right choice. What ensues is an action road comedy, with a three-way twist when Zack is put in the middle of a three way "war", with no side to call his own.

Here is a movie that could have actually been something really good, but just happens to fall short. The acting isnt the main problem, with Crowe turning in his usual good performance, and Toyokawa helping out with a good show. Then, however, we get to Slaters ridiculous Stewardess character, Jenny. Even though its not really her fault she puts in a bad performance. Her character in this movie is just so down right ridiculous and typical that even a quality actress like Ellen Barkin couldnt pull it off. Yet I will blame her for taking such a ludicrous role in the first place. But maybe she just wanted to hurt her career. Writer/director Frank Capello does boast a very ambitious beginning by throwing in a heavy portion of action and gunplay and that was also the films downfall, as it looks like the producers ran out of money by the halfway point.

I could easily pick out other members of the crew, like the stunt coordinator who didnt have much of a job to do after the beginning, but still botched up his job, or the set design crew who couldnt have possibly made the movies surroundings any blander, but today Im feeling particularly nice so I wont mention those people. After doing this easily forgotten actioner, Russell Crowe must really be happy about the turn his career has taken. However, like Helen Slaters career, if you rented this flick from the video store, you just lost money and there is absolutely, No Way Back.