"Hostage"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Bruce Willis as JEFF TALLEY Kevin Pollak as WALTER SMITH Jimmy Bennett as TOMMY SMITH Michelle Horn as JENNIFER SMITH Ben Foster as MARS KRUPCHECK Jonathan Tucker as DENNIS KELLY Marshall Allman as KEVIN KELLY Rated R Studio: Miramax Directed by: Florent Siri Back to DVD Review Home |
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In retrospect, probably the most interesting thing about “Hostage” is the name of the character portrayed by Marshall Allman - Kevin Kelly. You see, I have a sister named Kelly, so I find the name “Kevin Kelly” to be kinda funny.
No one else will, so you’re gonna have to deal with “Hostage” as a regular movie and not just a source of a funny joke.
When I saw this film first in the theatres, I could have sworn it was the next “Die Hard” movie. In fact, I heard some rumors that this was originally going to be another “Die Hard” but the idea was scrapped. In a way, I wish it hadn’t. It’s such a stock Bruce Willis character that I find it hard to watch without thinking of John McClane.
Of course, because of this, it makes it an ideal movie for Willis. He’s the hard-nosed cop who emerges from out of his element to become a bad-ass and save the day. We also saw a similar character in Robert Rodriguez’s masterpiece “Sin City” earlier this year.
Sigh... At least he’s not trying to prove himself as an actor any more. I do enjoy his work when he’s in his comfortable roles.
“Hostage” falls in a category of “decent” films. This isn’t a morality indicator, but rather a quality indicator. These are films that are exactly what they need to be, but don’t manage to really wow anyone. Other recent films I can think of include “Cellular,” “Mindhunters” and “The Lizzie McGuire Movie.” They aren’t the greatest thing to hit the cinema screen, but they aren’t exactly disappointing. If you’re expecting more than what you see in the film, you’re deluding yourself.
The DVD has enough special features to make it worth a watch if you’re into behind-the-scenes information and commentary tracks. Director Florent Siri gives a competent commentary, which is also extended over the deleted scenes. I particularly enjoy commentary on deleted and extended scenes because I find it interesting to not just see what was cut, but why they were cut.
The special features are wrapped up with an overall behind-the-scenes documentary. This is relatively in-depth and shows really what a good job Ben Foster did as the villain because he doesn’t look anything like his on-screen persona.
The behind-the-scenes documentary also points out that nepotism isn’t a good thing in many cases, shining a big spotlight on Rumer Willis as her father’s on-screen daughter. I’m sure she’s a nice girl, but she really didn’t inherit either of her parents’ good looks or acting ability. I know it’s a low blow to pick on the girl, but it was such a glaring problem with the early part of the film that I couldn’t let it pass.
“Hostage” lives up to its name pretty well. The film drags on a little too long, providing a literal anticlimactic scene, but it’s not a bad action flick. It is what it is.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Widescreen (2.35:1), enhanced for 16x9 televisions. French language track. Spanish subtitles. English subtitles for the hearing impaired.
