IvanF's Cut and Paste, No-Name Theatrical Review of
Hostage 2005

- IvanFian written March 15th, 2005 -

Film Design - 7.0
Enjoyment Factor - 7.0

Overall (not an average) - 7.0
(1.5 out of 4 stars)

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- Commentary from a friend -

"Well, I just saw "Hostage" tonight at 9:50pm...and I have to say that I was going into this film with low expectations...and I came out of the film quite entertained and satisfied after approximately a 2 hour runtime. This is Bruce Willis' latest action film which centers on a police chief in small town California who has to deal with a break-in turned hostage situation. As usual, many elements build up and cause quite the challenge for Willis' character, Jeff Talley.

This film is probably the best Willis character since perhaps "Unbreakable." Talley is a no-holds-barred police chief who won't take no for an answer. As well, Talley has a dark past as a hostage negotiator. This is because Talley used to be the lead crisis negotiator for the LAPD. However, on one such occasion (as the film begins), Talley is doing his thing trying to subvert crisis at the latest hostage situation in a local LA home. But this case is not the norm for Talley, it seems the criminal/robber of the home does not really wish to make any deal, and as a result causes immense emotional pain for Talley that has life changing results. As a result, Talley continues his police work as a chief in Bristo Callo, Ventura County, CA. Talley lives his life now as husband and father who has quite the rebel daughter. As well, in this small cove of California, Talley has nicknames for the days of the week like "low crime Mondays" and "no crime Tuesdays."

But this day, Monday, becomes quite the event for Chief Talley. It seems a trio of teenagers/young adults are out for a joyride and a wish to steal a nice looking Escalade. Two of the guys are brothers, Dennis (Jonathan Tucker) and Kevin. Kevin is the younger brother who wishes to just see a movie as he thought they were going to do. However, Dennis and his friend Mars (Ben Foster) wish to go after the family who has the Escalade. From here, the movie escalates its crisis.

As the movie unfolds, the audience becomes aware that the guy who owns the Escalade, Walter Smith (Kevin Pollack), is an accountant who does business with some high ranked criminals, perhaps mob like. Walter is a widower, and has two kids...a teenage daughter and a young son, Tommy. It is Tommy who becomes the chief link for Chief Talley to eventually make any kind of head way.

Throughout the film, there is plenty of tense moments and they are quite effective. The musical score here is quite well done and paced throughout the film. Overall, this is quite an effective whodunit, action thriller. This is a well done Bruce Willis film, and quite an effective Willis character that the audience really feels for, like his character John McClane from the Die Hard series or his character from "Unbreakable."

Overall, I would have to give this film a 3/4 stars and a 8/10."

Film Design - 8.0
Enjoyment Factor - 8.0
Overall (not an average) - 8.0
(3 out of 4 stars)
- Risen Phoenix -