Buy the DVD:

Hostage

Based on the novel by Robert Crais, Hostage tells the story of Jeff Talley (Bruce Willis), a high-profile LAPD hostage negotiator turned small time sheriff after failing to save the lives of a family in distress. Though he changes jobs in order to escape the strenuous circumstances of his former career, this decision ultimately lands Talley in the greatest crisis of his life. With the lives of both his own family and the family of a man he’s never met before hang in the balance Talley is forced to break with police protocol and enlists the help of the crafty young boy trapped inside in order to rectify the situation.

Overall, the film directed by the relatively unknown Florent Emilio Siri, follows the beaten path of such thrillers, but manages to avoid overt contrivances of the genre. Willis delivers a solid performance yet does not deliver a role worthy of award nomination. Though Talley is a character that can easily empathize with, the plot driven nature of the film does not allow for Willis to fully develop a persona. Hostage is by no means a bad film; in fact it’s a definite candidate for rental. Just don’t expect the film to be another Die Hard.

Written by: Stephen Kaiser

Reviewers Rating: 6.5
Reader's Rating: 8.00
Reader's Votes: 7

Rate It