H O S T A G E

A woman and child are murdered during a hostage incident when negotiations are botched by chief negotiator, Jeff Talley (Bruce Willis). Consumed with guilt, he turns his back on Los Angeles and takes up the post of Chief-of-Police in a small, quiet community. Nothing much happens in the area and that's just the way the Chief wants it. Then one day, when a car robbery goes wrong, a wealthy local family is taken hostage. Jeff is thrown back into the type of situation that he was running away from. The hostage situation gets complicated when a sinister gang take an interest, and force Jeff Talley to help them recover items from the house in which the hostage drama is unfolding...

This movie is a bit clichéd in parts and has a familiar theme that doesn't really offer anything new. There are also a few improbable parts along the way. However there is enough suspense and action to keep it interesting and entertaining. The arrival of a sinister gang who are not connected with the hostage takers adds a bit of intrigue to the story but towards the end of the movie the action takes over and there are some grisly scenes. These action scenes towards the end are a little overdone and the realism of the hostage scene slips. It might have been better to develop the story of the shady "men-in-black" and continue to work on the intrigue already generated.

Bruce Willis is on familiar territory here in the action/hero role. He is a little older than his "Die Hard" days but this seems to add more credibility to the character in the movie. He convincingly plays the expert police negotiator who is haunted by his last case which ended in tragedy. While trying to make a fresh start he gets dragged in to another hostage incident.

Jonathan Tucker, Ben Foster and Marshall Allman play the gang members who end up taking the wealthy family hostage. Jonathan Tucker is very good as the "leader" who isn't in control of the situation and who is angry and scared at the same time.

The kidnapped family comprises of father Walter Smith (Kevin Pollak) and his children Jennifer (Michelle Horn) and Tommy (Jimmy Bennett).

Bottom Line: With clichéd ideas and some improbable parts this movie is a bit hit-and-miss but it does entertain. Action wins out to the detriment of the story in the end. If you enjoy Hostage you might also enjoy Man On Fire, Trapped,  Out Of Time or Bandits.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  BRUCE WILLIS: Bandits,  Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (Cameo),  Ocean's Twelve (Cameo),  Unbreakable.

Genre: Hostage/Police Action

Director: Florent Siri

Certificate: Hostage is rated 16 by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie). The film contains strong violence and language; moderate drugs and sex/nudity.

Official Movie Website: Hostage

~ Main Cast ~

Bruce Willis

Kevin Pollak

Jonathan Tucker

Ben Foster

Marshall Allman

Michelle Horn

Jimmy Bennett