gavin6942
A failed police negotiator turned small town cop, must save the lives of a family held hostage, which draws him into a much more dangerous situation.The film's plot is roughly the same as the novel; the main difference is that a complicated subplot involving the Mafia was removed and the ages of the first group of hostage-takers was lowered slightly.Although reviews on the film seem to be mixed or even negative, Ebert wrote of the plot twists, "This is ingenious, and adds an intriguing complexity to what could have been a one-level story." And he is right. The film is complex, but never in a way that seems contrived. Impossible, maybe, but without the reality of film quite sensible.Bruce Willis is a great action star, and while action films may have faded since the 1980s, Willis never faded with them. He continues to bring a certain level of excitement to his pictures and it is no surprise the "Die Hard" franchise has been successful long after other franchises have fallen off.
NateWatchesCoolMovies
Upon first glance, Hostage looks like one in the long line of Bruce Willis action flicks that are formulaic, and just a bit repetitive. But as the surreal, comic book style opening credits unfold, preceded by the absolutely harrowing prologue that will chill you blood, you know you're in for something unique, something worth sitting through. Although the film is set plot - wise like a generic actioner, the execution is anything but. There's a brutal, shadowy, agonized aura to the proceedings, accented by intense, bulldozing performances by the eclectic cast, and a fairy tale like vibe that soars the film to epic heights. Willis is Jeff Talley, a hostage negotiator with a tortured past, relocated to small town California for some peace and quiet. Of course that's the last thing he gets, when a trio of white trash scumbags (Jonathan Tucker, Ben Foster and Marshall Allman) stage a reckless home invasion on a single father (Kevin Pollak) with shady ties to people you just don't want to mess with. From there the film kicks into high gear with some theatrical set pieces, jarring violence and super intense acting. Tucker and Allman are two idiot brothers who don't realize that their buddy Foster is a full blown cop killing psychopath, and are in over their heads before the choppers even arrive. Tucker gives his trademark breathless frantic desperation that's so great to watch, while Foster is a slinking demon of a prick. Before Willis knows it he's being blackmailed by a ruthless associate of Pollak's (the venomous Kim Coates) and the pressure is on him to resolve thing as quickly as possible. Willis anchors the piece with his world weary sarcasm and infrequent emotional outbursts, proving once again how well he can carry an action opus like this. The film has an almost European flavor, showcasing vivid, broad characterizations amidst a hostile, threatening and off kilter atmosphere where the violence comes fast, the resolution isn't easy, and the style is wonderfully overbearing. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Python Hyena
Hostage (2005): Dir: Florent Siri / Cast: Bruce Willis, Kevin Pollak, Barry Foster, Jonathan Tucker, Rumer Willis: Standard action thriller about closure and affliction. Unfortunately the only closure viewers will have after watching this affliction is the exit door when the lights come on. Bruce Willis plays a hostage negotiator placed in a position where three teenage males take a wealthy family hostage. He also learns that his wife and daughter are kidnapped so that he may retrieve a disc from inside the mansion. This all winds down to a mindless shootout full of clichés and as much nonsense as possible. Director Florent Siri handles the action effectively using various passageways in the mansion to add interest but that hardly saves the film. Willis is basically playing Die Hard where his fate is to have a fist fight or blow stuff up. Kevin Pollak spends most of the film unconscious although considering how bad the film is he can be thankful. Barry Foster and Jonathan Tucker play two of the crazed teens who must have been forced at gunpoint to participate in this mess. Finally we have Bruce's daughter Rumer Willis in a wasted appearance that furthers nothing. This is one of the dumbest films to insult the action genre in a long time, and it goes without saying that the competition is stiff. When the mansion goes up in flames nobody thought to put the screenplay in the fire. Score: 3 / 10
LeonLouisRicci
A Nasty, Moodish, and Bloody Neo-Noir Thriller that is Ultra-Stylish and Convoluted, not Quite Edge of Your Seat but is Edgy Enough for a Guilty Pleasure that can make You Feel Comfortably Numb if that is Your Inclination.Yes, it is more of the Same but it Dresses its Sameness in Dark, Gothic, Sharply Defined Artistry that has a Graphic Novel Feel. Bruce Willis is the Center of all the Hubbub and Bub there is a lot, probably too much, Rotating around the Hub of this Story.Ben Foster, Channeling Trent Reznor, Stands Out by Standing Around like some sort of Devil Dude with Distinctively Demonic Eyes and Expressionless Behaviour. He is Contrasted by the Sweaty, Drooling, Crunched Faced Overacting by Jonathan Tucker, that one can only Hope will be the First to Die. The rest of the Cast is Fine and Expectedly Frantic.The Cinematography is Deep Gloom with a Sheen of Shadows that somehow Manages to Bring along some Color and it Looks quite Different and adds much to the Tone of the Film. This seems to be all About Look and Not Much Else and that's OK for this Type of Thing.
AD
